Jools Holland took to the stage (um some stage?) in London this morning to announce the shortlist nominees for this year's Mercury Music Prize. As I'm sure you all know, this is one of the most prestigous awards to be given out in the UK music world... as well as the fabulous cash prize of £20,000. Personally it lost a little prestige in my eyes the year they overlooked Pulp's "His n Hers" in lieu of giving the prize to M People. Upon reflection I'm sure they now agree with me... anyhoo...We'll find out September 6th exactly who won but for now we can all argue about the list below to suss out who deserves it most...

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Hard-Fi - Stars Of CCTV
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
M.I.A. - Arular
The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
Coldplay - X&Y
The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning Strike
Antony And The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now
KT Tunstall - Eye To The Telescope
Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger
Seth Lakeman - Kitty Jay
Polar Bear - Held On The Tips Of Fingers