Brits Thoughts

The Brits nominations were announced yesterday. I'm amazed at how many of the nominees I have heard of, and then have heard something by them.

British male solo artist
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Professor Green

Where has Ed Sheeran come from? What do his songs sound like? Guitar playing folk rapper does not sound overly appealing.

Professor (of what?) Green... I've bypassed his videos when channel surfing. Seemed to be tattoos, looking surly and/or confused, and Westwood poses.

The two Jameses... nope.

Noel Gallagher does give a good interview, and "AKA What A Life" is pretty good. I still think he peaked in 1994, "Definitely Maybe" and Neil Innes' "Whatever" remaining the best he's done.

Around that time he mentioned listening to Portishead and a few other interesting (i.e. not rock) artists. I can only assume Liam dictated what was played on the tour bus as, other than the Chemical Brothers tracks and a Beck remix, Oasis never strayed far from their comfort zone. Like Status Quo after they dumped psychedelia.

British female solo artist
Adele
Florence + the Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

As much as I'd like Laura Marling to win, and cannot fathom how PJ Harvey can be nominated for best album and not here, this is probably Adele's.

Hilary Devey from Dragon's Den did well to get nominated here too.

British breakthrough act
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sandé
Jessie J
The Vaccines

This is voted for by Radio 1 listeners. What is a typical Radio 1 listener?

Anna Calvi would be a decent winner.

The Vaccines are not my cup of tea. And they're posh! Cameron is probably a fan - possibly related! To the barricades, brothers! (And sisters!)

Siobhan Fahey's mum Hilary nominated here too.

British group
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian

This is voted for by Radio 2 listeners, so it's probably Coldplay or Elbow. I cannot stand Kasabian. "Brick By Brick" disqualifies Arctic Monkeys.

British single
Adele - Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Example - Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J Ft B.o.B. - Price Tag
JLS ft Dev - She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives/Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are
Olly Murs ft Rizzle Kicks - Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott - All About Tonight
The Wanted - Glad You Came

This is voted for by Capital listeners. Now not just London, but a chain of stations across the UK. But why are they all called Capital if they're not in London? (Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast, maybe...)

Oh, I don't know... of these, I've only heard Adele.

And another nomination for Hilary.

Mastercard British album of the year
Adele - 21
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran - +
Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Adele sold squillions, so it's bound to be her award. PJ Harvey would be nice, but it won't happen. Q reckoned Shouty Florence was the best album of last year.

Yes, they did.

International male solo artist
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

Ugh. Dodgy dance, rubbish R&B, insufferable indie. If nobody has given Aloe Blacc a dollar yet, perhaps he'll win out of sympathy.

International female solo artist
Beyoncé
Björk
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

Give it to Feist! She's Canadian! Canadians are universally loved! (Except their Prime Minister.)

International group
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay-Z/Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

A double act now counts as a group then? If Misters Z and West can't be bothered to think up a new name, it isn't a group.

International breakthrough act
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

Really struggling now. Lana Del Rey on the back of one single? Really?