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http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=musicNews&storyID=6177296
seems franz ferdinand won it...By Tom Ferguson
LONDON (Billboard) - Scottish alternative rock act Franz Ferdinand has won Britain's coveted Mercury Prize for its eponymous debut album.
The annual music-industry award, recognizing the U.K. or Irish album of the year, was presented Tuesday night at the Grosvenor House hotel in London.
"We didn't expect to win this," said lead vocalist Alex Kapranos upon accepting the honor. "The bands (nominated) this year reflect a trend in the U.K. toward fantastic music."
Franz Ferdinand and U.K. garage act the Streets, a.k.a. rapper Mike Skinner, had been 3/1 joint favorites to win the award, according to bookmaker William Hill.
The winner was chosen from a shortlist of 12 albums by a 11-strong panel comprising media representatives and artists, headed by author Simon Frith. The shortlist was announced July 20, having been selected from a pool of 180 nominated albums.
The prize ceremony was broadcast live nationally by Top 40 station BBC Radio 1 and on digital TV channel BBC 4..
The full shortlist was: Basement Jaxx, "Kish Kash"; Belle & Sebastian, "Dear Catastrophe Waitress"; Franz Ferdinand "Franz Ferdinand"; Jamelia, "Thank You"; Keane, "Hopes and Fears"; Snow Patrol, "Final Straw"; The Streets, "A Grand Don't Come for Free"; Joss Stone, "The Soul Sessions"; Ty, "Upwards"; Amy Winehouse, "Frank"; Robert Wyatt, "Cuckooland"; the Zutons, "Who Killed ... The Zutons."
Last year's winner was teen-aged hip-hop artist Dizzee Rascal.
Reuters/Billboard
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