The coveted 1999 MERCURY MUSIC PRIZE for Album of the Year shortlist of nominees was announced this week in London. Many critics were shocked by the omission of recent albums from Fatboy Slim, Travis, and particularly, the Super Furry Animals, whose "Guerrilla" was hotly tipped to take home the Prize this year. Click the "Read More" link to see the list of nominees. Here are the 1999 nominees, as decided by the judges:

Beth Orton, "Central Reservation"
Black Star Liner, "Bengali Bantam..."
Blur, "13"
Chemical Brothers, "Surrender"
Denys Baptiste, "Be Where You Are"
Faithless, "Sunday 8 P.M."
Kate Rusby, "Sleepless"
Manics, "This is My Truth Tell Me Yours"
Stereophonics, "Performance & Cocktails"
Talvin Singh, "OK"
Thomas Ades, "Asyla"
Underworld, "Beaucoup Fish"