Questionable Choices?

This year's Choice Music Award nominees have just been announced. When I discussed the likely candidates with Eimear last night, I correctly guessed that albums by Lisa Hannigan (pictured), Fight Like Apes, Jape and Messiah J and the Expert would make the cut. The album I most wanted to see shortlisted was 'Here, Not There' by Heathers but, sadly, it didn't feature.

According to The Irish Times report, the biggest talking point regarding the list is the inclusion of the debut album by commercial pop-rockers The Script "at the expense of critically acclaimed efforts by Ham Sandwich and Republic of Loose".

As much as I dislike The Script's music, their eponymous LP has been monstrously successful both here and abroad in a year when very few Irish artists' albums were. Surely this is worthy of recognition? Plus, Ham Sandwich never quite warranted their initial hype, as far as I'm concerned.

The awards, intended as an Irish equivalent to the Mercury or Polaris Music Awards, are now in their fourth year. Previous winners are Julia Feeney (2006), The Divine Comedy (2007), and Super Extra Bonus Party (2008).

The shorlist in full:

Fight Like Apes - Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion

Mick Flannery - White Lies

Halfset - Another Way of Being There

Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew

David Holmes - The Holy Pictures

Jape - Ritual

Messiah J & The Expert -From The Word Go

Oppenheimer - Take The Whole Mid-Range And Boost It

R.S.A.G. -Organic Sampler

The Script - The Script

Predictions??

[Image: Button Factory]