Tuesday 17 February 2009

Alternative Brit Awards



This year's Brit Awards are on Wednesday night. As the list of nominations is far from inspiring - the main point of interest will probably come from seeing if Kylie can cope better with the autocue than she did at the Baftas.

So hears my take on where the Brits went wrong with my alternative picks for this years awards.

Best British Male: Seth Lakeman

A poor list of nominations with no one really standing out - even Seth Lakeman's album was too samey, but it still was better than any of the five that actually got selected.

Best British Female: Laura Marling

Dead-behind-the-eyes Duffy and Adele are the two heavy-hitters to pick up this award, but I personally can't believe that Laura Marling didn't even get a nomination for her actually way better than Feist debut album of Joni Mitchell style folk.

Best British Breakthrough: Noah & The Whale

The aforementioned Duffy and Adele have had success on both sides of the Atlantic, but had huge label backing from execs looking for the next Winehouse. I'd throw some recognition Noah & The Whale's way for Five Years Time becoming the least likely summer anthem out of nowhere.

Best British Group: Mogwai

Mogwai have the quiet/loud dynamic down to perfection now. Its summed up by Batcat which is so massive it makes the Great Khali look like a midget.

Best British Live Act: Oasis

Pretty sure they'll win this next year after their 2009 stadium gigs and a festival or too, but how Scouting For Girls get nominated ahead of their set of arena dates and electric proms performance I'll never know.

Best British Single: Elbow - Grounds For Divorce

This somehow manages to be a great pop song and sound like Tom Waits at the same time.

Best British Album: Radiohead - In Rainbows

The fact that Radiohead are nominated for an album first released in October 2007 works as a metaphor for how behind the times the Brits have become. That said, its still a phenomenal album.

Best International Male: Bon Iver

Beck and Kanye West could probably release an album of flatulence and still get nominated (808’s & Heartbreak was pretty close to that too) Of those chosen I hope Seasick Steve beats Jay Z who gets a nod for one half-decent live show, but Bon Iver should be on the list for his cabin-folk thats so intimate it feels slightly voyeuristic to listen too.

Best International Female: Katy Perry

Seems a lock to win this award. Wonder if she'll dedicate the award to Gwen Stefani who she's ripped off so obviously.

Best International Group: Alphabeat

Kings of Leon should have these last two categories nailed down, but Alphabeat should have got some recognition for a year of great shows and an album featuring a raft of great pop tracks.

Best International Album: Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs

A great album full of contradictions. More experimental, harder, heavier yet somehow seeming more commercial all at the same time.

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