Si Schroeder, Coping Mechanisms. Nothing else released in Ireland last year comes close.

Surely Director will be there thereabouts at the end of the season?

true. i can't get enough of this album. the piano on 'a little more' gets me every time.

I'd say The Immediate because Jim Carroll is one of/the main guy behind it and he ranked In Towers as his top Irish album in his 2006 list. I'd be surprised if it wasn't loved by the judges, whoever they are. Only hope it isn't too obvious. But if Arctic Monkeys won the Mercury, I'd see it as likely.

Yes Yes?

Shortlist announced..

Director - We Thrive On Big Cities
The Divine Comedy - Victory for the Comic Muse
Duke Special - Songs From the Deep Forest
The Immediate - In Towers & Clouds
David Kitt - Not Fade Away
Messiah J & The Expert - Now This I Have To Hear
Fionn Regan - The End Of History
Republic Of Loose - Aaagh!
Si Schroeder - Coping Mechanisms
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open

So.. any thoughts or comments on the above.. I'd put my money on The Immediate or Fionn Regan, if I were a betting man..

Director - We Thrive On Big Cities [No, just no]
The Divine Comedy - Victory for the Comic Muse [I've not heard it so I won't comment]
Duke Special - Songs From the Deep Forest [Why? It's essentially a rehash of adventures in Gramaphone (and ruining Freewheel in the process)]
The Immediate - In Towers & Clouds [Probably like turn last year, it has a chance, but doesn't deserve it]
David Kitt - Not Fade Away [If a singer songwriter is going to win it it's going to be Fionn Regan]
Messiah J & The Expert - Now This I Have To Hear [Again, not heard it, nes pas de comment]
Fionn Regan - The End Of History [I didn't like the album, I don't like him live, but I've been wrong before]
Republic Of Loose - Aaagh! [Why?]
Si Schroeder - Coping Mechanisms [By default, which is unfortunate 'cause it's a craking lp, this has to win it]
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open [This years BellX1?]

odds:

snow patrol: 6-4

the immediate: 3-1
director: 6-1
duke special: 7-1
fionn regan: 8-1
the divine comedy: 10-1
si schroeder: 14-1
david kitt: 16-1
messiah j: 16-1
republic of loose: 20-1


my vote goes for si schroeder as well... although i'd be interested to hear the messiah j album... the one song i have heard is cracking

an interesting list for sure, but one wonders whether a group, or indeed a panel, can ever fairly agree on a just winner.
anything which is not one persons choice (if you pardon the pun) will be compromised...(unless its unanomous, which i can't see happening.)

Jim Carroll will probably plump for the immediate (which i think is a mistake - their album is quite good, but not worth the level of praise it has recieved, and the band risk a severe backlash if it does not reach some critics levels of enjoyment), nick kelly may go for si schroder (a inventive album, but not a wheel reinvention) while succesful but dull albums like snow patrol and director could be the populist votes. Fionn Regan for me is the nicest piece, as far as songwriting goes, so he would be my choice.

one can't help but wonder if the judges are swayed by the act and their level - giving the snow patrol album the prize could raise the profile of the award, but should that be a consideration?
Giving the award to something like si schroder which may not sell as much could ALSO affect the popularity of the shortlist.. it perhaps wouldn't get the same level of interest.
Or, should the judges try to be seen to continue making "daring choices"? last years win by julie feeney was seen in some quarters as a "start as you mean to go on" kind of decision - whether it was or not - so would chosing something braver - like Si schroder, fionn regan, or even the republic of loose, be a issue in account?

is it possible to ever choose the BEST album from a list, as everyones taste are so different? and even more so, will there ever be a time when other people in general agree?

Snow Patrol's inclusion was predictable - it'll boost interest and debate in the prize. The biggest surprise on the list is the Divine Comedy - it's a poor album, not as good as 'Absent Friends'.

I was sorry to see that Simple Kid's album (top Irish album in the CLUAS poll) didn't make the shortlist.

The Immediate album has already been discussed at some length on this board...

Duke Special all the way - that man is amazing

that man may be amazing but his producer sure isn't!

have to say the production on 'songs from the deep forest' is very shoddy in parts - the balance between the vocals/instruments is all wrong on some tracks and some very strange misplaced beats/rhythms layed down on a coupla songs

no question, duke's talented but he seriously needs to get a decent producer in next time!

The only record I've heard on this list is Fionn Regan (RiceCakes lite?).

But, and this is a good thing, I'm inspired to seek a few others out. I see Julie Feeney got some pretty reasonable reviews from the UK press recently - I'm assuming that it's the same album that won the Choice last year?

Anyone know what happened to former CLUAS favourite Gemma Hayes?

I think that shortlist is, as usual, dreadful and uninspired and just lacking any artistic substance, with honourable exceptions for MJ&TE and possibly Si Schroeder. Do you have a properly alternative ten Irish records you loved in 2006? Here are some, independent and beautiful and in no particular order:

1 The Hollows- It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It
2 TRM- Seven Stabs
3 Oppenheimer- s/t
4 Ger Wolfe- The Velvet Earth
5 Dublin Guitar Quartet- Deleted Pieces
6 Vyvienne Long- Birdtalk
7 Barry McCormack - Last Night As I Was Wandering
8 (retards) - kicking against the micks
9 Paul Smyth - Holy Thursday
10 Ten Past Seven - Shut Up Your Face

Oppenheimer are an exceptional band, just found them on myspace recently, Breakfast in NYSki is an amazing song. Theyre on Bar/None records, who also have Spinto Band & released Yo la Tengos FakeBook.

Really genuinely nice guys aswell. Check them out.

Id have to say that i think The Duke Specials nomination is perfectly justified.