Mercury Music Prize: Part 1: 90s
..is an equivalent of a Pulitzer prize to journalismExcerpted from the Mercury site:
The Barclaycard Mercury Prize exists solely to champion music in the UK, mainly through the ‘Albums of the Year’ competition, which celebrates recorded music of all genres by British or Irish artists. The music on the album is the only thing taken into account.
So The XX won this year. I’ve never heard of them, so I sampled Crystalised love the guitar lines @ 1.22 woah.
It’s not always about moody, brooding albums, pop albums have been nominated before. Heck, Take That & Spice Girls have been nominated before! (Though I tend to like moody,brooding albums)
Here is the full list of current and past nominees and winners
Below is a syiok sendiri list of albums owned of past Mercury prize nominees / winners :-D
1992 - the inaugural year the prize was given out
1. Primal Scream - Screamadelica - way ahead of its time. Trippy, psychedelic
Too bad Massive Attack’s Blue Lines was released just a year before, prior to the prize being given out. Deserves a special mention. Sample Unfinished Symphony and Safe From Harm - woah the bassline! Definitely ahead of its time.
1993
1. Suede - Suede
I was obsessed with this band circa 1997 - 1999. Lucky to have caught them live before they disbanded in 2003. So sad
1994
1. Blur - Parklife
Very British. Very poppy. The album which defines Britpop. Who wouldn’t have lusted over Damon Albarn? Oh wait, that would be Liam & Noel Gallagher lol!
Special mentionSuede’s Dog Man Star. How could they not nominate this album!? To me, this is their best album. Sweepingly beautiful! Gives me goosebumps
1995
1. Portishead - Dummy
Trip hop. I didn’t get it initially. It needed a few listens, quite many listens actually.
2. Elastica - Elastica
Contrary to Blur’s Parklife, this is very American, short 3 minute guitar-riff laden songs. Ironically, the chief songwriter is Damon’s gf at that point of time.
3. Supergrass - I Should Coco
Contains that super infectious song, cute vid - Alright. Poppy
Special mention - Oasis’ Definitely Maybe. I didn’t have this album, but I’ve listened to most of the songs on it anyway. Definitely mercurial, though the brothers’ bickering tend to steal the limelight
1996
1. Artists for War Child - Help
A brilliant compilation of covers. In aid of the war-torn Bosnia Herzegovina.
2. Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go
Utter brilliance! Caught them live in S’pore
3. Pulp - Different Class
In yer face honesty. Very, very British
Special mention
Oasis’ (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Who wouldn’t have owned this album? Oh wait, that would be me. I borrowed my friend’s CD actually, heheh. Who wouldn’t know Wonderwall & Don’t Look Back In Anger?
1997
1. Suede - Coming Up
Their poppiest album
2. Primal Scream - Vanishing Point
Trippy, as always
3. Prodigy - Fat of the Land
Landmark dance album, ahead of its time. Remember Firestarter?
4. Radiohead - OK Computer
Prog/experimental rock at its finest in the 90s. Totally blown away!
Special mention
Mansun’s debut album Attack of The Grey Lantern was the soundtrack to my SPM study years. Not included? Blasphemy!
Note: They did come by to KL’s Hard Rock Cafe for a promo tour, but I was underaged then sigh..
Jamiroquai’s Travelling Without Moving spawned the funky Virtual Insanity. The video is totally creative! Acid jazz at its best.
Spice Girls’ Spice. Haha I totally despised them at that point of time. Looking back, they were not so bad lol!
1998
1. Massive Attack - Mezzanine
The trip hop meisters are back. Mind blowing. Teardrop was used as the opening theme song for House the series.
2. Pulp - This is Hardcore
Their moodiest yet. Album title is a heck of an epic long song
3. The Verve - Urban Hymns
Poetic beauty. Bittersweet Symphony has become a sort of an anthem. Too bad it became mired in controversy of songwriting credit, as it was sampled from a Rolling Stones song
Special Mention
Mansun - Six. Again, Mansun is snubbed. This is a totally mind blowingly brilliant album!
1999
1. Blur - 13
This is their most experimental & difficult album yet. Written during the breakup of Damon & Justine (of Elastica, mentioned above in year 1995) You could hear Damon’s cries in a few songs.
2. Chemical Brothers - Surrender
Electronica-Dance-guitar rock hybrid.
Special mention
Manic Street Preachers - This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours
What a mouthful! I didn’t have this album, but I totally love If You Tolerate This, Your Children Will Be Next. Again a mouthful!
Now where the heck is Travis’ The Man Who?? How could anyone snub Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
And Super Furry Animal’s Guerrilla is also missing. It’s one heck of a fun album!
Oh and also where’s Basement Jaxx’s Remedy? Groovy. You’ll feel like dancing instantly!
