[Iceman]

The nominations for the 2012 Barclaycard Mercury Prize have been announced.

Chosen by a panel of music critics and industry experts, 12 albums have been confirmed for this year's shortlist.

Jessie Ware's debut album Devotion, quirky Scottish band Django Django's self-titled LP and Plan B's soundtrack to his film iLL Manors are among the nominations.

Early favourites Alt-J are recognised for An Awesome Wave, along with Richard Hawley's critically acclaimed Standing at the Sky's Edge.

BBC Sound of 2012 winner Michael Kiwanuka is nominated for Home Again, and will face off against Ben Howard's Every Kingdom and Lianne La Havas's debut Is Your Love Big Enough.

The shortlist is completed by Given to the Wild by The Maccabees, Roller Trio's self-titled LP, Field Music's Plum and Sam Lee's Ground of Its Own.

Among the absentees are Kate Bush's 50 Words for Snow, Bright Light Bright Light's Make Me Believe in Hope and Emeli Sandé's Our Version of Events.

"This year's Barclaycard Mercury Prize shortlist showcases a wonderful variety of musical voices, emotions and ambitions", says Mercury Chair of Judges Simon Frith.

"There are eight debut albums on the list and four albums from more established artists. The sheer range of music here celebrates the abiding ability of British musicians to find new ways to explore traditional themes of love and loss while making an exhilarating soundtrack for life in 2012."

The shortlist was chosen out of over 250 albums, and was announced by Lauren Laverne at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden, London.

The winner will be announced at the Barclaycard Mercury Prize Awards Show at the Roundhouse on Thursday, November 1.

PJ Harvey won her second Mercury Prize last year with Let England Shake.

[GypsyGoth]

I don't think I've listened to any of them.

[Iceman]

Im blatently going to say Plan B. But this time unlike some other years I think he deserves it. Nobody else in the UK right now has had such a politically and socially motivated album get across so well (Im sure someone will tell me otherwise).

[Black Dagger]

Come on Ben.

Really good list that actually, from the majority I've heard they're solid albums.

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Im blatently going to say Plan B. But this time unlike some other years I think he deserves it. Nobody else in the UK right now has had such a politically and socially motivated album get across so well (Im sure someone will tell me otherwise).

Yeah, I'm not the biggest Plan B fan in the world, but I'd be very pleased if he won, some solid tracks on Ill Manors.

[Shaun]

Kate Bush being absent

[Shaun]

of those I want a Maccabees win, would be happy with Django Django, Jessie Ware or Alt-J though.

Saint Etienne and Niki & the Dove deserve nods too

[Black Dagger]

OMG, I just realised that.

And Coldplay/Florence but I suppose they don't need the rub of the prize anyway.

[Shaun]

Michael Kiwanuka being nominated kmt

dull, dull man

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Shaun

of those I want a Maccabees win, would be happy with Django Django, Jessie Ware or Alt-J though.

Saint Etienne and Niki & the Dove deserve nods too

I always thought the Mercury award was for British Artists?

[Shaun]

oh I thought they were British for some reason

[Black Dagger]

Swedish

And OMG, Instinct only got to #60 here. Morons

[Shaun]

Their album scores on Metacritic, the basic average of all critical reviews. Bolded are the nominees:

Plan B - 86
Kate Bush - 85
Django Django - 84
Jessie Ware - 83
Richard Hawley - 78
Field Music - 77
Lianne La Havas - 74
Michael Kiwanuka - 74
Alt-J - 72
Ben Howard - 71
The Maccabees - 69 - idk why it's easily the best of the bunch

the other two aren't even on there

[Shaun]

i'll predict that it goes to Ben Howard though

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Their album scores on Metacritic, the basic average of all critical reviews. Bolded are the nominees:

Plan B - 86
Kate Bush - 85
Django Django - 84
Jessie Ware - 83
Richard Hawley - 78
Field Music - 77
Lianne La Havas - 74
Michael Kiwanuka - 74
Alt-J - 72
Ben Howard - 71
The Maccabees - 69 - idk why it's easily the best of the bunch

the other two aren't even on there

WOW @ Plan B having that type of score, knew there was some critics giving it good reviews...didnt think it'd be that high though.

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Shaun

i'll predict that it goes to Ben Howard though

I hope so.