Brit Award Nomination 2008

More awards, this time the nominations for this year's Brit Awards, announced last night. The awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. And they have a very "pop" feel this year, guitar/indie bands light on the ground. In fact, I think it's quite a poor list. Ah well, what do I know, maybe it's the record industry trying to push their new artists on a day when EMI have announced major staff cuts worldwide (2000-ish positions are going), apparently due to the rise in people downloading music. They seriously need to change their business model.

My opinion? Well, I think Mika has far too many and I can't stand his annoying "me me me, please love me, I'm a victim". Take That have made a stunning comeback and all their singles have been top notch, Spice Girls could have taken pointers on how to relaunch themselves. The strongest categories are best group (British and International) but where are the crop of great new indie bands - The Enemy anyone? The singles are far from being the best selection of the past 12 months. And I can't believe Macca hasn't had a lifetime achievement before - thumbs aloft!

The shortlist for the Brit Awards 2008, to be held at Earls Court, London on 20 February.

British male solo artist:

• Jamie T
• Mark Ronson
• Mika
• Newton Faulkner*
• Richard Hawley

British female solo artist:

• Bat For Lashes
• Kate Nash
• KT Tunstall*
• Leona Lewis
• PJ Harvey

British group:

• Arctic Monkeys*
• Editors
• Girls Aloud
• Kaiser Chiefs
• Take That

British album:

• Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare*
• Leona Lewis - Spirit
• Mark Ronson - Version
• Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion
• Take That - Beautiful World

British breakthrough act:

• Bat For Lashes
• Kate Nash
• Klaxons*
• Leona Lewis
• Mika.
• (Winner chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners)

British live act:

• Arctic Monkeys
• Kaiser Chiefs#
• Klaxons
• Muse
• Take That
• (Winner chosen by BBC Radio 2 listeners)

British single:

• Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
• Mika - Grace Kelly
• Take That - Shine
• Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby*
• Sugababes - About You Now
• Mark Ronson Ft Amy Winehouse - Valerie
• Kate Nash - Foundations
• The Hoosiers - Worried About Ray
• James Blunt - 1973
• Mutya Buena - Real Girl.
• (Winner decided by a live public vote on the night)

International male solo artist

• Bruce Springsteen
• Kanye West
• Michael Buble
• Rufus Wainwright*
• Timbaland.

nternational female solo artist:

• Alicia Keys
• Bjork*
• Feist
• Kylie Minogue
• Rihanna.

International group

• Arcade Fire
• Eagles
• Foo Fighters*
• Kings of Leon
• White Stripes.

International album:

• Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
• Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden
• Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace*
• Kings of Leon - Because Of The Times
• Kylie Minogue - X.

Winners already decided

Critics' Choice Award (newcomer most likely to succeed in 2008):

• Adele

Outstanding contribution to music:

• Sir Paul McCartney

* my choices of the nominated, for what it's worth!

# Ive only seen the Kaisers and Klaxons so I voted the former (and they were superb). I would REALLY love to see Muse though.