Franz Ferdinand leads Mercury Prize shortlist

LONDON, UK (Mercury prize Website) - Albums by the Streets and Franz Ferdinand are the leading contenders for the 2004 Nationwide Mercury Prize, a prestigious British music award.

Newcomers with a good odds on an award are: Keane's Hopes & Fears, the Zutons' Who Killed ... The Zutons, Amy Winehouse's Frank, and Joss Stone's The Soul Sessions.
Also nominated are Rhythms & Blues artist Jamelia for Thank You and rapper Ty for Upwards.

Bookmaker William Hill immediately made Franz Ferdinand and The Streets joint 3/1 favourites, with Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol and Keane joint second on 6/1.

The Mercury Prize is chosen by a panel of music industry experts, journalists and music artists, based on a list of 180 album nominations submitted by record labels. The winner will be announced at a Sept. 7 gala.

Mercury Music Prize 2004 shortlist:
Basement Jaxx - Kish Kash
Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Jamelia - Thank You
Keane - Hopes and Fears
Snow Patrol - Final Straw
Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
Ty - Upwards
Amy Winehouse - Frank
Robert Wyatt - Cuckooland
The Zutons - Who Killed The Zutons