The nominations for the Mercury Music Prize 2007 were announced today and although there’s a couple of weird surprises, it’s pretty much as you’d expect - or possibly not. Of the many different music awards doing the rounds, this is probably one of the few half-decent ones; recognizing some genuinely good albums as opposed to just the stuff that was most popular with the UK’s 12 year old population. That being said, 2007’s shortlist has pulled out some right stinkers that include New Young Pony Club, who I hate with a passion, and The View.

Before I go any further, here’s this years list of nominations:

• ‘Back to Black’ - Amy Winehouse
• ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ - Arctic Monkeys
• ‘Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford’ - Basquiat Strings
• ‘Fur and Gold’ - Bat For Lashes
• ‘Maths + English’ - Dizzee Rascal
• ‘The End of History’ - Fionn Regan
• ‘Panic Prevention’ - Jamie T
• ‘Myths of the Near Future’ - Klaxons
• ‘We Can Create’ - Maps
• ‘Fantastic Playroom’ - New Young Pony Club
• ‘Hats Off To The Buskers’ - The View
• ‘Voices of Animals And Men’ - The Young Knives

So, after looking at that list, you can probably see exactly what I was talking about. In addition to the expected albums (Last year’s winners, Arctic Monkeys, as well as Amy Winehouse and Klaxons), we’ve got the more obscure albums that are just stuck in there for good humour (see: Fionn Regan). Of course, I’ve not heard all of the albums in that list but if I were forced to choose, I’d put my money on either Amy Winehouse or Klaxons. Ideally, though, I’d like to see Jamie T get the prize because in my opinion, ‘Panic Prevention’ is one of the best albums of the year so far. Although they won it last year, I’m unsure as to whether the Arctic Monkeys will win the prize a second time round. Still, I’ll be mighty pleased for them if they do win it.

As for the duff ones, though, I don’t really know what to say. The ‘panel’ has called New Young Pony Club “fresh, fun and flirty” but I couldn’t disagree more strongly with that comment. I certainly find no fun in listening to some of the shite they pour out. Anyway, we’re all entitled to our own opinion, aren’t we?

We’ll have to wait until September to find out who wins, so you’ve got a couple of months to place your bets.

B.