Elbow win the Mercury Prize 2008
What a delight to see Elbow win the award - they were in some ways the uncool option, neither young prodigies nor enigmatic experimenters. It was great to see them receive the award for what was simply a really good album. While you're waiting for the video of their Mercury performance to become available (ooh, it's just up)...
...take a look at our recording of The Fix. Are you pleased or indifferent about the result? I have to admit to being disappointed at the change in the awards format - in previous years I've enjoyed watching most of the acts perform ahead of the announcement and I felt short changed not to be able to enjoy the full package this time. Watching brief snatches of each of the nominees performing made it feel more like all other award ceremonies ie dull. Surely the Mercury Prize is about listening to the music, rather than just rushing to award the gong. The more of a chance we have to listen to acts like Rachel Unthank and The Portico Quartet the more I feel like the prize does its job of honouring the best albums of the year, rather than one single winner.
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