Elbow triumphed at last night’s (September 9th) Mercury Music Prize ceremony, with the band left as surprised as the audience.
Although they had been tipped by many as an outside chance, and a rush of late bets saw their odds slashed, Elbow were left dumbstruck by their win with lead singer Guy Garvey proclaiming it to be the best thing that’s ever happened to the band.
Trouble is, they all stole votes from each other
With heavyweights such as Radiohead in contention, as well as bookies favourite Burial looking a strong contender, many were shocked by Elbow’s win. Clashmusic.com examines the factors that lead to their triumph:
Reason Number One – Radiohead are cursed
The Oxford giants have never won the Mercury, despite releasing some of the most influential, pivotal and highly acclaimed albums of the modern era. “OK Computer” was beaten by Roni Size, and even the seminal “Kid A” album didn’t scoop the prize. “In Rainbows” was a fantastic album but the band were perhaps judged on past material – its great, but not as life changing as “The Bends”. Equally, by releasing it without a label they thumbed their nose at the record industry and may have paid the price.
Reason Number Two – Too Many Female Nominees
This was the year when British women truly charged down any preconceptions surrounding them in the record industry. Winehouse stormed the Grammies, Duffy stormed the charts and female singers flooded the Mercury nominations list. Trouble is, they all stole votes from each other – Laura Marling, Adele and Estelle, if you aim to acknowledge the achievement of British women which one do you vote for?
Reason Number Three – The Back Story
Dropped by their record label (heads will be rolling at V2) Elbow fought back. The momentum of their ‘David vs Goliath’ adventures may just have seeped through to the Mercury, and there is nothing the public love more than a fairy story. Add in the band’s tender tribute to their departed friend and you have a ready made tear jerker.
…It will be difficult to top winning the Mercury
Reason Number Four – Mercury Prize Reputation
Always one to follow its own whims and tastes, the Mercury has become known for backing the latest fancy trend. Klaxons won the prize amid disgruntled critics, while yet another nomination for Alex Turner was met with some criticism. Having won through the hard way Elbow are the exact opposite of the now clichéd overnight success story, and are all the better for it. Their hard work and hard luck are the remedy for any ‘scenester’ accusations.
Reason Number Five – The Album Is Brilliant
“The Seldom Seen Kid” is without doubt one of the year’s most important albums, a sublime collection of anthemic songs. Garvey’s lyrics are incredible, and the production is crystal clear. Containing some of the band’s best work to date, it sees Elbow graduate from the back pages of music magazines to the front cover. A classic album in this or any other year it more than deserved a nomination on its own terms.
Where Elbow go from here is anyone’s guess. It will be difficult to top winning the Mercury, and the sales boost that comes with winning the prize will enshrine “The Seldom Seen Kid” in the public’s collective mind. However, with a twenty-year back story and a wealth of musical expertise Clash wouldn’t bet against them coming back with something even better. Elbow – we salute you!
