The nominations for the Barclaycard Mercury Prize to find the best album of 2009 were announced today (21 July).
The shortlist was chosen from an entry of over 260 albums by UK and Irish artists, and the winner will be announced live on BBC Two on 8 September.
The prize does not take sales or even live performances into consideration - it is judged solely through consideration of the music on the albums.
The 2009 Albums of the Year are:
Bat for Lashes - 'Two Suns'
Florence & The Machine - 'Lungs'
Friendly Fires - 'Friendly Fires'
Glasvegas - 'Glasvegas'
Kasabian - 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum'
La Roux - 'La Roux'
Led Bib - 'Sensible Shoes'
Lisa Hannigan - 'Sea Sew'
Speech Debelle - 'Speech Therapy'
Sweet Billy Pilgrim - 'Twice Born Men'
The Horrors - 'Primary Colours'
The Invisible - 'The Invisible'
The bookies' joint favourites are Florence & The Machine and Kasabian at 5/1.
