Shortlist Music Prize

So the Shortlist Music Prize, the four-year old U.S. equivalent of UK's Mercury Music Prize, announced its 2004 winner late last week.

And, boy, was I pleasantly surprised.

The winner was TV On the Radio. I was expecting Franz Ferdinand, who was equally deserving, won the Mercury Prize, sold more records, is more photogenic and generally better known. Or maybe even Dizzee Rascal, who has quite a buzz going and won the Mercury Prize last year.

TV On the Radio was definitely the dark horse of the candidates, no pun intended. Their 4/5 black membership (of their touring lineup- the group on the album was 2/3 black) makes them quite an anomaly in alternative rock. Their music is also quite different, mixing elements of doo-wop, soul, glam and electronics into a wall a guitars. An interesting and rewarding debut, and nice to see a true outsider (their album is on Chicago-based indie Touch & Go) get some recognition.

The Shortlist Finalists for 2004 were:
Air – TALKIE WALKIE
Dizzee Rascal – BOY IN DA CORNER
Franz Ferdinand – FRANZ FERDINAND
Ghostface Killah – THE PRETTY TONEY ALBUM
The Killers – HOT FUSS
Loretta Lynn – VAN LEAR ROSE
Nellie McKay – GET AWAY FROM ME
The Streets – A GRAND DON’T COME FOR FREE
TV On the Radio – DESPERATE YOUTH, BLOODTHIRSTY BABES
Wilco – A GHOST IS BORN (Nonesuch)

and the Mercury Prize Finalists were:
Amy Winehouse – Frank
Basement Jaxx – Kish Kash
Belle & Sebastian – Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand
Jamelia – Thank You
Joss Stone – The Soul Sessions
Keane – Hopes and Fears
Robert Wyatt – Cuckooland
Snow Patrol – Final Straw
The Streets – A Grand Don't Come for Free
Ty – Upwards
The Zutons – Who Killed...... The Zutons