The Brit Awards 2007 - Gigwise Verdict

Not for a long time has a Brit Awards Nominations list resonated as strongly as it does for this year's ceremony. Understandably, following a year when British music ruled the waves once again, the list reflects the strong depth of British talent - from the live dominance of Muse to the exultant breakthrough of Lily Allen. Here are Gigwise’s choices for this year's key awards at the ceremony, held on Valentine's Day (February 14) . If these acts don’t win, it will truly be a travesty.

Best Album

Nominees:
• Amy Winehouse – ‘Back To Black’
• Arctic Monkeys – ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’
• Lily Allen – ‘Alright Still’
• Snow Patrol – ‘Eyes Open’
• Muse – ‘Black Holes And Revelations’

Gigwise Choice: 
Muse – ‘Black Holes And Revelations’
Unquestionably Britain’s finest live performers, Muse showed with ‘Black Holes And Revelations,’ that their musical ambition at times transcends our universe. From the hypnotic ivory keys of ‘Starlight,’ to the out-of-space intensity of, ‘Knights Of Cydonia,’ it’s an album that will make you think a holiday to Mars is more viable than package trip to the Costa-del-sol.

Best Male

Nominees:
• James Morrison
• Jarvis Cocker
• Lemar
• Thom Yorke
• Paulo Nutini

Gigwise Choice:
Thom Yorke 
The Radiohead man proved in 2006 with ‘The Eraser,’ that there might just be a solo-life after Radiohead. Yorke’s first solo venture was a joyous concoction which mixed all the glorious melodies that we know him so well for with his own distorted visions of the world.

British Female

Nominees:
• Amy Winehouse
• Corinne Bailey Rae
• Lily Allen
• Jamelia
• Nerina Pallot

Gigwise Choice:
Amy Winehouse 
The UK soul sensation didn’t just come back on the scene in 2006 with bigger hair and tighter jeans, but she hit us with one of the strongest albums of the year in, ‘Back To Black.’ With a voice that goes deeper than most millionaires pockets, the honest and melancholy reflection of the album proved that Winehouse is more than d of becoming one of Britain’s finest female artists.

British Group

Nominees:
• Kasabian
• Muse
• Arctic Monkeys
• Snow Patrol
• Razorlight

Gigwise Choice:
Arctic Monkeys 
Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys began 2006 as the band to look out for with a cult following strong enough to rival any British band of days gone by. After releasing the devastatingly good, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,’ the band trekked around the UK picking up new disciples to their kitchen sink revolution along the way. They then audaciously took Reading by storm, just to make sure that we wouldn’t forget them anytime soon.