The mercury prize chooses 12 of the 'best' records from UK artists in the past 12 months.
Here is what the judges choose!
Biffy Clyro – 'Only Revolutions' - Very unlikely to win, Biffy are too popular to win, and unlike Elbow who are one of the bigger winners, their album isn't that good, Klaxons and Arctics are bands that have both won in the past, this isn't Biffy's debut.
Corinne Bailey Rae – 'The Sea' - Gaining popularity from her previous record, mainly from Put Your Record On, Corinne's husband died, and the influence from that event is placed heavily on the record, a possible contender, however with possibly her peak in career behind her (and lack of support from the label towards this record) I doubt it can compete with the others, it is unlikely another solo female wins the prize.
Dizzee Rascal – 'Tongue N' Cheek' - The most surprising entry of them all, Dizzee previously won with his debut Boy in Da Corner, and it is INCREDIBLY unlikely that he can do it again, especially as this is a very popular record. He is currently one of the bookie's favourites which is a bit wierd, someone knows something we don't..
Kit Downes Trio – 'Golden' - The token jazz record that they always add on, the jazz record has never taken the prize, but they may want to stop that this year by awarding them it? I haven't heard the record so I don't know.
Foals – 'Total Life Forever' - A favourite from bloggers, it was a given this would make it on the list, especially since their debut Antidotes (which is a much better record) wasn't included in the 2008 line up, but with Wild Beasts and the xx on the list, I don't think this has much of a chance
I Am Kloot – 'Sky At Night' - A surprising entry on the list, possibly because they've been around for over 10 years, and have only just gained popularity with their new record (reached #24), could do an elbow, its very likely they give the prize to a indie band this year.
Laura Marling – 'I Speak Because I Can' - A great record in itself, was previously nominated in 2008 and shot to popularity because of that (reached #4 in the charts this year), they tend to avoid giving the prize to someone who has previously been nominated, but it's not too late.
Mumford And Sons – 'Sigh No More' - A bit like biffy in the sense that they seem too big to win it, I don't personally like Sigh No More, but my opinion isn't included sooo... but they do like to give it to big debut records (Klaxons and Arctics), it could happen!
Paul Weller – 'Wake Up The Nation' - The biggest name on the list, a bookie favourite, but I doubt it'll get the prize since he's such a big name, in the same way that Radiohead will never win it (they were included in the 2008 line up with In Rainbows. Good luck, he'll need it.
Villagers – 'Becoming A Jackal' - A huge hit in Ireland, reaching the #1 album spot (think of them as an Irish Mumford), haven't heard the record so I don't know, but it has to be known that anything can happen.
Wild Beasts – 'Two Dancers' - My favourite on the list, a superb record that gained critical acclaim last year, while it isn't the best record on the list (the xx is!) I think that they do deserve the attention and would be incredibly happy if they got it. It may have run out of momentum being released last year though.
The XX – 'XX' - The record that united the indie population last year, steadily building it's popularity from word of mouth, dueting (and touring) with Florence, and releasing possible the biggest critically acclaimed record of last year (#2 NME, #3 Pitchfork, #1 The Guardian) The xx is a great record (and my favourite of last year) but not only for it's music, but for what it stands for, that a small band with almost no publicity behind it can gain such popularity in only a matter of months. A deserved winner, however with such a huge fanbase behind it, would the judges let them take another prize or give it to a small deserving band?
OK - that took a while.
Peeved they missed off These New Puritans, mad they including Dizzee Rascal.
Who do you recognise, who do you want to win and who do you think should have been included?
Albums should have been released after June 2009 and must be a UK artist (sorry no GaGas)
