Arctic Monkeys lead Mercury nominations

Jul 17, 2007, 12:50 GMT

The Arctic Monkeys and Amy Winehouse are to go head-to-head for the 2007 Nationwide Mercury Prize.

The Sheffield band are in line to scoop the coveted music prize for second album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare', while Amy, 23, has been nominated for her hit second LP 'Back to Black'.

Amy and the Arctic Monkeys - who walked away with the prize last year for debut album 'Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not' - are joined by ten other acts on this year's shortlist, which recognises the best British album of the last 12 months.

Other nominees include The View, for 'Hats Off to the Buskers', the Klaxons, for debut 'Myths of the Near Future' and Jamie T's 'Panic Prevention'.

Previous winner rapper Dizzee Rascal is in the running with 'Maths + English', four years after winning the prize for his debut 'Boy In Da Corner'.

Simon Frith, who chairs the judging panel, said: "This year's Nationwide Mercury Prize shortlist marks the emergence of a wealth of eclectic talent making music with great energy, excitement and personality."

Amy and the Arctic Monkeys have already been installed as joint favourites to walk away with the accolade by bookmakers who are offering odds of 4/1.

The winner, who will be announced on September 4, will collect also £20,000 prize money.

2007 Nationwide Mercury Prize full list of nominees:

Bat for Lashes - 'Fur and Gold'

Maps - 'We Can Create'

Fionn Regan - 'The End of History'

The View - 'Hats Off to the Buskers'

New Young Pony Club - 'Fantastic Playroom'

Dizzee Rascal - 'Maths + English'

Klaxons - 'Myths of the Near Future'

Amy Winehouse -  'Back to Black'

The Young Knives - 'Voices of Animals and Men'

Jamie T - 'Panic Prevention'

Arctic Monkeys - 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'

Basquiat Strings - 'Basquiat Strings with Seb Rochford'

(C) BANG Media International