The Shortlist was announced months ago, but with the ceremony fast approaching, we thought it best to go over the runners and riders, and tell you who GC wants to win.
Snow Patrol: This has been their breakout year. After a fleeting glimpse on Mark and Lard's shortlived Pop Upstairs Downstairs quiz, Final Straw had them tagged with Coldplay rather lazily. With the exception of Run, Lightbody's tunes are much more enjoyable to listen to than Chris Martin's, but the lack of distinction suggests they are unlikely to win.
Keane: Angelic melancholy for 'bedwetters' apparently. Bladder control problems aside, Hopes and Fears is a hit and miss collection of songs from the excellent Somewhere only we know to solidly good This is the last time to good but becoming more tedious Bedshaped and Everybody's changing.
Belle and Sebastian: Excellent wispy songwriting with sections of humorous kitsch billowing in the background. All synergised by Buggles. Think what you
The Streets: The favourite if you're under 20. The Rex Harrison of rappers underwhelms with a concept album for Ibiza, Ayra Napa and Manumission luddites.
Ty: Token Urban entry
Robert Wyatt: Token Legend.
Amy Winehouse: Girl's got character - a rarity these days. When I saw her on Later with Jools... I was in agreement with Mr Holland, the chords and the changes were certainly something unconventional. Yet the album comes across as restrictive, but distinctive and intriguing. Not the greatest record here, but better than Melua.
Franz Ferdinand: 2 good singles, and one below par one, and it's another hit and miss album. There is some fun Talking Heads rip-off stuff here with the Glasgwegian fops own art-pop contributions, but ultimately it wouldn't warrant the win.
The Zutons: A poor man's The Coral
Jamelia: No thank you. Superstar was fine after the zillionth time I heard it, but when it takes that long for you to succumb to the single, then there is something amiss. Will please the charty wenches that love Sex and the City and all that claptrap, but not for me.
Joss Stone: Pop-soul loved by trendy types too lazy to find original motown classics and listen to them instead. Pretend to be Dusty Springfield dressed as a Glastonbury regular if you must, just don't expect any sympathy from me. Or interest for that matter.
Basement Jaxx: 2 good singles - miraculous that they get a decent vocal out of the other main singer out of N-Sync. Good Luck is the better tune anyway by miles, and Siouxsie Sioux is great. Nearest rival to Dear Catastrophe Waitress, but they win plenty of awards as it is. One more isn't going to matter.
Craig Aston.
Previous Say Anything Articles:
Top Up Tv - You Get What You Pay For?
Dr Who - Time For A Change?
Music For The Broken Hearted.
For Those About To Rock...Dolce and Gabanna Salute You
Classifying Music
My Name's Richard and I Am An Addict.
Nelly - Work It
British Film Industry "On The Rocks"
Freeview: You Get What You Pay For?
Good DVD, Bad DVD
ITV In The Doghouse
The Lack Of British Sci-fi / Fantasy Tv
Britain's Greatest Screen Actor?
Comic Movies
The Best Films of The Year...So Far
Whatever Happened To Sky One?
Timelash
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