LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
The 2008 Mercury Prize for best UK album of the year went to Elbow for their album The Seldom Seen Kid, besting 11 other finalists, including Radiohead's In Rainbows and offerings from British Sea Power and oddsmakers' choice Burial.
Congratulations to the lads from Manchester, who have always been very cordial to us here at LAist, granting us an exclusive interview back in May when they came to LA. You can also read the LAist CD review of The Seldom Seen Kid.
The Mercury Prize is generally held in higher regard amongst music geeks than the more mainstream Brit Awards and Grammys. Nominations are chosen by a selected panel of musicians, music executives, journalists and other figures in the music industry in the UK and Ireland.
In their acceptance speech (see the video here), lead singer Guy Garvey dedicated the award to their friend Bryan Clancy, who died in 2006 and was a primary influence on the album.
Video: Elbow wins the 2008 Mercury Prize