Mercury Prize Award 2012...

   This year's Mercury Prize Award brought stiff competition from all areas. From the new and emerging Alt-J and Django Django, right down to the legend that is Richard Hawley, It was always going to be hard to split them apart.
   So lets start with the nominees; rising starts Alt-J, Jessie Ware and Django Django were in the mix this time round. The more established Richard Hawley and The Maccabees were involved on the shortlist. Similar tones of Ben Howard, Sam Lee and Michael Kiwanuka were thrown in and so were Field Music, Plan B and the lovely Lianne La Havas. All which have managed to make a soundtrack to the 2012 music scene.
   Bookies had great odds just before the announcement was made. They had the innovative Alt-J as front runners, with Richard Hawley and Jessie Ware following up closely. If it was down to me, my favourite band The Maccabees would take the prize with their mesmerizing album 'Given To The Wild', but clearly my opinion doesn't matter. From the hype that surrounded the build up to the awards, i'd say that Richard Hawley, Django Django and Michael Kiwanuka were possible winners, but who prevailed in the end...?

   Well I can announce to you now, if you didn't already know, that Alt-J took the top spot on the night at The Roundhouse in London. Somewhat of a shock in some terms. The album hadn't been around for that long, the band haven't yet made a massive impact and I can see why it would be controversial. But the demand for the band is ridiculously high at the moment, and I can see them making a massive impact in 2013 with their now Mercury Prize Award winning album, 'An Awesome Wave'. Most bands take this prestigious label as the perfect way to break the music industry, and i'm sure Alt-J will do exactly the same.
   I can see why they have won. I'm very glad that they won. Referring to the last article I wrote, this could be the break they need to achieve everything they had hoped for. Even though the fact they 'slipped under the radar' amongst the rest of the artists, they have emerged winners. So congratulations to Alt-J!

Charles.