Mercury Music Prize Winner 2008

Elbow
The Seldom Seen Kid


They faced some pretty tough competition but in the end the Manchester lads walked away with the coveted award, triumphing against the likes of bookies' favourite Burial and alt-rock royalty, Radiohead.

“It’s the best thing that has ever happened to us,” claimed Guy Garvey, during their acceptance speech. With an award so prestigious in their hands, a monstrous sales boost on the way and a 20 grand cheque to take to the bank, we reckon he might just be telling the truth. Well done guys.

Check out and download The Seldom Seen Kid here


Albums Of The Year 2008

Adele - 19

Adele
19

'Heartfelt songs from an engaging new voice - vulnerable, powerful and distinctive'

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music

British Sea Power
Do You Like Rock Music

'Who wouldn't like rock music when it is as joyfully eccentric, noisy and exciting as this?'


Burial - Untrue

Burial
Untrue

'Untrue', is a subtle, original metropolitan soundscape - restless, alarming and alluring'

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow
The Seldom Seen Kid

'An epic rock records - triumphant, heartbreaking, unerringly melodic and life-affirming'


Estelle - Shine

Estelle
Shine

'The amazing Estelle stamps her vivid personality on a refreshing variety of musical moods - radiant, contemporary soul music'

Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim

Laura Marling
Alas I Cannot Swim

'Beautiful composed and emotionally compelling tales of fear and romance'


Neon Neon - Stainless Style

Neon Neon
Stainless Style

'Chrome-plated electro-rock - a thrilling musical ride'

Portico Quartet - Knee-Deep In The North Sea

Portico Quartet
Knee-Deep In The North Sea

'Exuberant, hypnotic acoustic music - an unusual new jazz sound'


Rachel Unthank And The Winterset - The Bairns

Rachel Unthank And The Winterset
The Bairns

'Contemporary folk music at its most magical and mysterious - enchanting and uplifting'

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Radiohead
In Rainbows

'Music that is adventurous, challenging and hugely enjoyable. A gripping new chapter in the remarkable Radiohead story'


Robert Plant / Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

Robert Plant / Alison Krauss
Raising Sand

'An intimate set of timeless songs and a totally seductive celebration of the art of the vocal duet'

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement

The Last Shadow Puppets
The Age Of The Understatement

'Dramatic vignettes of modern love - superbly crafted and brilliantly arranged'