Mercury Prize 2010: Who Deserves To Win The Award?

As eclectic as a Cabinet meeting at Number 10 Downing Street (albeit a tad less conservative in composition), there are a few better ways to judge the state of British music than through the Mercury Prize shortlist. Indeed this year's compilation of twelve of the UK’s most talented acts shows our homegrown scene to be in robust condition, if only for the calibre of artists who through omission or lack of entry found themselves exempt from the list.

These New Puritans, Gorillaz and Giggs be damned though, it’s time for a round-up of the likely victor...

The Favourites

On paper The XX are so close to picking up the prize that every other competitor of theirs should really be practicing their “disappointed but respectful” congratulations clapping face. The South London indie quartet have the momentum, the acclaim and a R&B indebted sound that could easily justify their self-titled debut taking home the £20,000 prize money.
Thankfully for their eleven other rivals however, those qualities seem to matter not a jot to a judging panel that, lest we never forget, choose the M People as their winner in 1994.

Interestingly on this note, the nominee who seems to have picked up most momentum since getting the nod has been Paul Weller and his relentlessly inventive tenth solo studio album 'Wake Up The Nation'. Bookermakers William Hill slash the star's odds over the weekend. Should the Modfather be awarded the honour though, he’ll have to convince those who would surely argue that Wild Beasts or Laura Marling are better deserving of a leg-up into the popular consciousness.

MORE: Mercury Prize 2010: Nominees.

The Definitely Maybe's

Foals, Mumford & Sons and Dizzee Rascal make up the pack of contenders who will be looking to defy the odds and do a smash and grab job on the Mercury. Where the Oxford quintet have the critical acclaim for their joyous sophomore LP 'Total Life Forever', however, Mumford & Sons and Dizzee have a common touch that has endeared them to festival goers all summer long. Nevertheless sales don’t count for diddly squat in the Mercury judging stakes and the overreliance of both 'Tongue N’ Cheek' and 'Sigh No More' on the strength of their singles is likely to rule them out as real contenders.

VOTE: Who Should Win The Mercury Prize 2010?

The Rank Outsiders

Carving up the back of the field are I Am Kloot, Biffy Clyro, Corinne Bailey Rae, Kit Downes Trio and Villagers. Though clearly one can never write off any outcome when it comes to the Mercury’s, it is hard to see the records winning as none have garnered enough a buzz to be deemed real contenders.

Of this odd collective, Villager’s have benefitted well from an expanded marketing budget garnering several column inches and some nice shared ad-space with Wild Beasts courtesy of Domino Records. Ultimately though, last year’s Speech Debelle debacle will have done much to dampen the case for a real oddball winner.

Who do you think should win the award? Post your thoughts in the comment form below...