Following the announcement of the Brit Awards nominees, we take a look at this year’s runners and riders. Leading the way are Mika and Take That with four nominations each, closely followed by Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson and Kate Nash, all with three.
THE NOMINATIONS:
British Male Solo Artist
Jamie T
Mark Ronson
Mika
Newton Faulkner
Richard Hawley
GOTB says: Will almost certainly go to Mark Ronson, but good to see Richard Hawley nominated and would be even better to see him get it.
British Female Solo Artist
Bat For Lashes
Kate Nash
KT Tunstall
Leona Lewis
PJ Harvey
GOTB says: Polly Jean might just get this for a great, if underrated album although media-friendly Tunstall/Nash are the more likely option. We’d love to think Natasha has got a chance, but it’s just not going to happen.
British Group
Arctic Monkeys
Editors
Girls Aloud
Kaiser Chiefs
Take That
GOTB says: Reads like a Radio 1 roadshow line-up, surely the Arctics are favourites, but with so many nominations the boyband might steal it. Token nominations for Editors, and Kaiser, the latter who seriously suffered the second album blues.
British Album
Arctic Monkeys – ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’
Leona Lewis – ‘Spirit’
Mark Ronson – ‘Version’
Mika – ‘Life In Cartoon Motion’
Take That – ‘Beautiful World’
GOTB says: Truly shocking nominations, showing the ugly side of the Brits. The only album with credibility is Arctic Monkeys’. Mika aside, the other three weren’t even written by the artist whose name is on the nomination.
British Breakthrough Act
Bat For Lashes
Kate Nash
Klaxons
Leona Lewis
Mika
GOTB says: A category Bat For Lashes might win, although in terms of significant breakthrough the other four are streets ahead. Klaxons would be our choice given that Radio 1 listeners will decide it.
British Live Act
Arctic Monkeys
Kaiser Chiefs
Klaxons
Muse
Take That
GOTB says: Annual nomination for Muse, who some of the voters from Radio 2 might have actually seen this year, given their impressive Wembley shows. Should go to the Devon boys, but it might be day-glow central with a late show from Klaxons.
British Single
The Hoosiers – ‘Worried About Ray’
James Blunt – ‘1973′
Kaiser Chiefs – ‘Ruby’
Kate Nash – ‘Foundations’
Leona Lewis – ‘Bleeding Love’
Mark Ronson – ‘Valerie’ featuring Amy Whinehouse’
Mika – ‘Grace Kelly’
Mutya Buena – ‘Real Girl’
Sugababes – ‘About You Now’
Take That – ‘Shine’
GOTB says: Voted for by the public on the night so Take That will win, but none are close to our singles of last year. Of them we’d give it to Mark Ronson probably, in the hope Winehouse might stagger on stage and embarrass herself.
International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Kanye West
Rufus Wainwright
Timbaland
Michael Buble
GOTB says: West is almost a certainty, although Timbaland’s number one might just make him an outside bet.
International Female Solo Artist
Alicia Keys
Bjork
Feist
Kylie Minogue
Rihanna
GOTB says: Despite a poor album Kylie still remains the media’s sweetheart, but we’re almost sure that Umbrella will secure it for Rihanna.
International Group
Arcade Fire
Eagles
Foo Fighters
Kings Of Leon
The White Stripes
GOTB says: You can count out Eagles and Foos straight away, and probably White Stripes for an overrated album. Toss of a coin between the other two, but the Canadians will probably get it as they’ve become terribly fashionable in all those middle class circles.
International Album
Arcade Fire – ‘Neon Bible’
Eagles – ‘Long Road Out Of Eden’
Foo Fighters – ‘Echoes Silence Patience’
Kings Of Leon ‘Because Of The Times’
Kylie Minogue – ‘X’
GOTB says: Same scenario as the previous category, should be a straight fight between KOL and Arcade Fire. ‘Because Of The Times’ was the better record, so that gets our vote.
Outstanding Contribution Award
Paul McCartney