Mercury Music Prize - the thoughts of someone who's no listened to half the albums

So its that time of year again for the premier, oh-so-highbrow-and-important Mercury prize. The number one prize named after a defunct and short lived phone company (though im sure i still see some old phone boxes with Mercury card slots). So who's in the running and who's going to win. Lets have a looky.

Disclaimer: I haven't listened to the all but that won't stop me making sweeping statements and generalisations.

1. Arctic Monkeys - AM

A belter of an album. Wasn't overly impressed on first listen but its really grown on me. The music press have maybe overstated it's brilliance a bit though and its use of beats. I think it sounds a bit like a band simplifying their sound whilst cranking out some cracking tunes and sounding a bit classic rock.

2. David Bowie - The Next Day

The bookies favourite and i think undeseverdly so. Its got the stench of one of those oscars where the winner is known beforehand because its 'their turn'. Its a decent album, but its nothing more than that, there's no really stand out tracks but the nature of its release from out of nowhere from a legend presumed-retired has levitated it to an album of importance.

3. Disclosure - Settle

I have not heard this but a quick investigation and it seems like its a decent electro effort.

4. Foals - Holy Fire

Not really listened to it - but it seems like a nice enough indie effort

5. Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg

Its a good album, theres some good songs but the whole hype around, and the man himself annoys me. I get bored of the 'real music' fans that adopt artists like this and there boring insular outlook on music. He's good but not that good, and his patter about no good music being made since the 60s suggest we cant expect much development in his sound either.

6. James Blake -Disclosure

Meh

7. Jon Hopkins - Immunity

Excellent album. Should've won last year with King Cresote but this is always going to be viewed as a curio with no chance of winning.

8. Laura Marling - Once I Was An Eagle

I really like Laura, and i was gutted a few years back to miss a gig of hers at the Liquid Rooms due to snowy weather. This album though is not as good as her previous efforts and if she was going to win the award it would've been for one of her first two albums.

9. Laura Mvula - Sing to The Moon

I've heard that one song. Its alright - she's alright. She won't win.

10. Rudimental - Home

My Wife likes them - i haven't heard them.

11. Savages  Silence Yourself

Fantastic band and a fantastic album. They have a lovely sound reminiscent of Siouxsie and The Banshees or similar. Excellent live as well.

12. Villagers - Awayland

Not heard it - but heard his first album. He does what he does, its not exciting but its nice.

Who i want to win - Arctic Monkeys

or - Savages

Who will win - Bowie: He wont turn up either.