There’s no question that 2008 was a great year for Irish music. We were bombarded with a whole host of debut albums from exciting new acts and incredible follow-ups from well established artists. Tonight at Vicar Street, the Choice Music Prize will be awarded to what is deemed to be the Best Irish Album of 2008. Chosen by a panel of twelve media professionals, the Choice Award is a chance to garner recognition for an Irish album that deserves to be heard by an even wider audience.
Over the past few years, the Choice Music Prize almost always hits the nail on the head with it’s shortlists, yet throws an unexpected curveball when it comes to actually awarding the prize. The award has never gone to the bookies favourite and it’s almost always the critical darling that has not yet found mass appeal that’s walked home with the prize. 2005’s “13 Songs” by Julie Feeney is possibly the best example of this.
This year I’m a little more interested in the Choice Music Prize than usual as Kilkenny man Jeremy Hickey (under the mantle of Rarely Seen Above Ground) has gotten a nod for his blisteringly good “Organic Sampler”. Rarely Seen Above Ground deliver percussion-filled psychedelia that is unlike anything else out there so if you haven’t already got your mitts on the album, I strongly suggest you do. It is simply an audible joy to behold. Best of luck to you Jeremy! I’ll be there tonight, more than likely making a lot of noise.
Rarely Seen Above Ground: MySpace
The shortlist in full:
R.S.A.G. “Organic Sampler”
Jape “Ritual”
Lisa Hannigan “Sea Sew”
Halfset “Another Way of Being There”
Fight Like Apes “Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion”
Mick Flannery “White Lies”
David Holmes “The Holy Pictures”
Messiah J & The Expert “From The Word Go”
Oppenheimer “Take The Whole Mid-Range And Boost It”
The Script “The Script”
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