The Twenty...

So, the Barclaycard (ahem) Mercury Music Prize was awarded to last night to The XX, a band with songs so good that they were the sountrack to the 2010 General Election (second 'ahem' of the sentence). But instead of definitively answering which album was the best of last year (which, to be fair, the Mercury has never managed yet anyway), the Awards instead threw up more questions.

1. What was up with Nihal last night?
2. Seriously. Dark Brown shirt and jacket with BLUE JEANS? What?!
3. He did some accents too. Why?
4. He then said "I think the XX is an album already on everyone's coffee tables." Hmm?
5. Are they? I don't think they are.
6. Who keeps their albums on a coffee table?
7. Midlife crisis? (It would explain a lot)
   
8. Why didn't Mumford & Sons win?
   
9. Again, a serious question. Why?
10. How come KT Tunstall is immune to Lauren Laverne's contagious pregnancies? It claimed Miranda Sawyer during the course of the evening but not the Scottish singer/songwriter. Why?

In all seriousness, I was very much hoping that Mumford & Sons would win. Their brand of anthemic, alternative folk has proved popular with critics and fans alike and their debut 'Sigh No More' is a fantastic collection of songs. Drawing more from traditional Americana than the British folk scene, Mumford & Sons feature banjo-driven tales of loss, pain and regret. From the hugely catchy 'Little Lion Man' and 'The Cave' to the ethereal title track and the fury and disenchantment of 'Dust Bowl Dance', the quartet display their brilliant songwriting talent. Perhaps the biggest weapon of these young folkies is the voice of Marcus Mumford. Dripping with pain, pathos and righteous indignation, Mumford's subtle, rasping voice could lend credibility to even the most introspective compositions and is on display best in their live performances. I've never had the pleasure of seeing them in the flesh but their televised performances at various festivals and shows are remarkable. Every debt to their fans paid in power, sweat and raw emotion, with each concert played as if it's their last. Do pick it up.