On The Record

Competition - predict the Choice Music Prize shortlist and win €100 of On The Record’s money!

January 12, 2009 @ 9:35 am | by Jim Carroll

On Wednesday afternoon, the Choice Music Prize shortlist for Irish Album of the Year 2008 will be revealed.

The announcement will be made during a lavish ceremony in central Dublin involving fireworks, speeches from assembled luminaries (including President Mary McAleese and the drummer from Radiohead), a couple of marching bands, a children’s choir featuring 2,000 kids all dressed in yellow, 16 Lovely Girls (one for each letter in “Choice Music Prize”), a hurling match between previous winners Super Extra Bonus Party and Divine Comedy and a spectacular “Thriller” video dance-off between Michael Flatley and Michael Jackson. The location for this recession-what-recession event will, of course, depend on the weather. (*)

But why wait until Wednesday? In a feat of generosity not seen since everyone had a job and wasn’t looking for “value for money” when they went for a bit of grub in a restaurant, On The Record will give €100 of his own cash to anyone who can predict the 10 albums on the shortlist. This is almost as good a prize as that snazzy radio and those CDs we gave away before Christmas.

Test your knowledge of Irish music! See if your own musical likes match those of our 12 expert judges who are currently in hiding in a Celebrity Big Brother-like gaff in deepest Cavan! Come up with your own Choice Music Prize shortlist! Fun for nearly all the family!

The rules are simple. You can enter once and once only. Entries will be accepted up to midnight on Tuesday. Anyone who makes a smart remark which is not judged by me to be funny will be disqualified. The judge reserves the right to be really suspicious if someone gets all 10 albums right (because there are a few surprises on the list).

Declaration of interest: I’m the co-founder of this yoke and am also the non-voting chairman of the judging panel.

(* Real announcement will be made on Wednesday at 3pm on Today FM and on the official Choice Music Prize website)

60 Comments

January 12, 2009
9:42 am

Anyone who makes a smart remark which is not judged by me to be funny will be disqualified

I’ll get me coat…

Comment by Fill3rup

January 12, 2009
10:14 am

a hurling match between previous winners Super Extra Bonus Party and Divine Comedy

And what will Julie Feeney be doing?

Comment by Ian

January 12, 2009
10:19 am

Ian - she’s the referee.

I have a feeling that my €100 will not be won

Comment by Jim Carroll

January 12, 2009
10:30 am

Ah, I might as well take a guess:

jape
fight like apes
lisa hannigan
ham sandwich
hayes & cahill
RSAG
David Holmes
Messiah J and The Expert
Spook of the Thirteenth Lock
Snow Patrol

Sunken foal and Adebisi Shank as outside bets.

Comment by Ciarán

January 12, 2009
10:41 am

My ten cents:
RSAG
Ham Sandwich
Waiting Room
Guggenheim Grotto
Jape
Gight Like Apes
Messiah J and the Expert
David Holmes
Adebisi Shank
Lisa Hannigan

Comment by Ronan

January 12, 2009
10:41 am

I would LOVE to see a spectacular “Thriller” video dance-off between Michael Flatley and Michael Jackson!

Comment by Conor Furlong

January 12, 2009
11:07 am

Ronan, I really like that Waiting Room album. Certainly one of my favourite Irish releases of last year but I dunno, came out in a very low key fashion last year and then the band broke up. It might have been overlooked/forgotten about by a lot of people. And I don’t just mean the Choice judges.

This isn’t what I think the 10 best are (the Land Lovers album would be in that list) but rather what I think will get the nominations.

I think these 8 are likely shoe-in for nominations, 7 of them at least I’d say

RSAG
Ham Sandwich
Jape
Fight Like Apes
Messiah J and the Expert
David Holmes
Snow Patrol
Lisa Hannigan

The 2 wild cards

Spook Of The 13th Lock
Crayonsmith

*General snide comment about the silliness of having awards for unquantifiable things like art but concession that they do get people talking about Irish music so overall the Choice Award is a good thing goes here.*

Comment by Ian

January 12, 2009
11:27 am

For what it’s worth…and for the record, hard to believe I’m the first to put the Halfset album in my list, surely it’s a dead cert…

RSAG
Lisa Hannigan
Halfset
Jape
Fight Like Apes
David Holmes
MJEX
Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock
Ham Sandwich
Sunken Foal

Comment by Chris

January 12, 2009
11:30 am

Xavier Embryo
Bloody Tantamount
Trevor Von Stauffenberg
Mauled by the Judge
Hey! Sex
Copy Editors
Get Mortgage Pay Mortgage Die
The Hilarious Incident Family
(TBA)

Comment by Peter81

10.

January 12, 2009
11:53 am

Ah sod you, there goes my work-day.

Comment by Naomi

11.

January 12, 2009
11:54 am

Peter81 - that Get Mortgage Pay Mortgage Die album was 2007.

Comment by Jim Carroll

12.

January 12, 2009
11:59 am

now this is a bit of fun..right,here goes..

MJEX
Lisa Hannigan
Jape
RSAG
Mark Geary
Fight Like Apes
Guggenheim Grotto
David Holmes
Hayes & Cahill
Halfset

I’d say I’ve a max of five out of ten..worth a shot though!

Comment by ciaran

13.

January 12, 2009
12:08 pm

My predictions for nominations are:

Adebisi Shank - This is The Album…
David Holmes - Holy Pictures
Duke Special - I Never Thought This Day Would Come
Fight Like Apes - Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Gold Medallion
Ham Sandwich - Carry The Meek
Heathers - Here, Not There
Jape - Ritual
Lisa Hannigan - Sea, Sew
RSAG - Organic Sampler
The Blizzards - Domino Effect

Comment by flynnduism

14.

January 12, 2009
12:44 pm

Jape - Ritual
Ham Sandwich - Carry The Meek
Adesbisi Shank - This is… Adebisi Shank
Chequerboard - Penny Black
Lisa Hannigan - Sea, Sew
RSAG - Organic Sampler
Fight Like Apes - Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Gold Medallion
David Holmes - Holy Pictures
Messiah J & The Expert - From The Word Go
Republic of Loose - Johnny Pyro and the Dance of Evil

It’s a testament to how good the year 2008 was fro Irish music that it’s hard to pick 10. Republic of Loose are my token mainstream band, was going to go for them or The Blizzards and Chequerboard got my ‘dark horse’ nod ahead of Ian Whitty & The Exchange.

Comment by Joe

15.

January 12, 2009
2:37 pm

It should be Chequerboard “Penny Black”. My favourite album last year, Irish or otherwise.

Comment by Stiofan

16.

January 12, 2009
2:41 pm

Jape
The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock
Dudley Corporation
Jimmy Cake
Adesbisi Shank
Chequerboard
RSAG
Fight Like Apes
Messiah J & The Expert
Lisa Hannigan

Was the Once album this year?

Anyway, if the cycle of winners follows the pattern in recent years of chick/bloke/band, then Lisa H would be due to win this year.

Hayes and Cahill was a good suggestion from someone above.

Comment by Mumblin' Deaf Ro

17.

January 12, 2009
3:24 pm

One Day International
Heathers
Messiah J and Expert
Lisa Hannigan
Jape
Fight like Apes
RSAG
David Holmes
Chequerboard

Comment by pandemic

18.

January 12, 2009
3:52 pm

Lisa Hannigan
Jape
Chequerboard
David Holmes
Fight Like Apes
Halfset
Barry McCormack
Autamata
Pony Club
Carly Sings

If that’s right Jim, we’ll split it and you can take me on a dinner date.

Will the Paddy Power book be open on Wednesday? Did pretty well out of predicting a resounding 3-0 victory for the real Red Army yesterday so I’m feeling lucky.

Comment by Eamon Sweeney

19.

January 12, 2009
3:56 pm

Did pretty well out of predicting a resounding 3-0 victory for the real Red Army yesterday so I’m feeling lucky.

I’d stick with the football if I was you, Swench

Comment by Jim Carroll

20.

January 12, 2009
4:12 pm

Jape
RSAG
Lisa Hannigan
Spook of the Thirteenth Lock
Adebisi Shank
Heathers
One Day International
Chequerboard
Duke Special
Fight Like Apes

It’s been such a good year for irish music- choosing ten is surprisingly tough!

Comment by Clockwork Rob

21.

January 12, 2009
4:14 pm

Is the book open for betting on Wednesday or not Scouser teeth?

You can stick to scoreless draws with Stoke. Hahaha!

Comment by Eamon Sweeney

22.

January 12, 2009
4:18 pm

Swench - Paddy Powers will be on the case as soon as the shortlist is announced. Would reckon the book will be open by Thu. Will you be getting out the flipcharts and ringing all the judges again?

Comment by Jim Carroll

23.

January 12, 2009
4:20 pm

nobody gonna give so cow a shout?

Comment by ruan // nick thinks...

24.

January 12, 2009
4:22 pm

I’m covering it for the Racing Post so whatever it takes baby!

Comment by Eamon Sweeney

25.

January 12, 2009
4:24 pm

Swench - Fantastic!

Comment by Jim Carroll

26.

January 12, 2009
4:54 pm

Carroll, you wiley old fox, what a great idea, But so tough to call!

There are so many factors, not least who the judges are, their preferences and biases; the sheer maths involved to get into the final 10 - and that’s without the damn discussion on the night (the year I was a judge I wouldn’t have predicted Divine Comedy’s win).

There are people who deserve to be on it but probably won’t be (like Adebisi, Sunken Foal, RSAG) and ones that could be on there and will have most of us scratching our heads (The Script) at their inclusion.

So here’s what I think the final ten might be:

Lisa Hannigan (a shoe-in)
Chequerboard (will be robbed not to be)
David Holmes (a real return to form)
Fight Like Apes (wouldn’t be in my top 10, but should show up on it)
Jape (who will go on to win it)
Duke Special (short-listed before, a lot of people like his music)
The Jimmy Cake (50/50 as to whether they’ll make, but it’s a great album)
Halfset (here’s hoping)

And the final two are the big acts
Snow Patrol (short-listed before)
The Script (the ultimate dark horse)

Are you giving a runner up prize for anyone who gets close?

Comment by Sinead

27.

January 12, 2009
5:00 pm

Wow what a great year for Irish Music!

Here goes….

Pony Club
The Gorgeous Colours
One Day International
Armoured Bear
Duke Special
Lisa Hannigan
Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Fred
Barry McCormick
Fight Like Apes

Comment by Peter

28.

January 12, 2009
5:02 pm

Are you giving a runner up prize for anyone who gets close?

Yep - a copy of the new U2 album

Comment by Jim Carroll

29.

January 12, 2009
5:06 pm

All of the above are definites/ predictable, the one gamble I’d go for would be “One Day International - Blackbird”. Has got reasonable coverage and something of a local supergroup, boasting members of Cathy Davey,Villagers,Jape and was produced by Bell X1’s Brian Crosby.

Comment by Chalkie

30.

January 12, 2009
5:06 pm

PS Peter has just reminded me of another album that deserves to be on there but probably won’t - Colm Mac Con Iomaire.

Comment by Sinead

31.

January 12, 2009
5:20 pm

Ham Sandwich
Jape
David Holmes
MJEX
Lisa Hannigan
David Turpin
Damien Dempsey
Heathers
Pony Club
Fight Like Apes

Comment by OC

32.

January 12, 2009
5:54 pm

Jape
Lisa Hannigan
Fight Like Apes
Messiah J & The Expert
David Holmes
The Script
Duke Special
RSAG
Ham Sandwich
Hayes & Cahill

Comment by Funnier with Age

33.

January 12, 2009
6:44 pm

RSAG
Messiah J
Jape
Lisa Hannigan
Halfset
the script
david holmes
duke special
pony club
jimmy cake

Comment by Mar

34.

January 12, 2009
6:51 pm

Thanks everyone for your entries so far.

Keep ‘em coming.

Comment by Jim Carroll

35.

January 12, 2009
7:28 pm

Well here goes so……..

RSAG
Jape
Fight Like Apes
One Day International
Lisa Hannigan
Colm Mac Con Iomaire
Adebisi Shank
MJEX
Chequerboard
David Holmes

Willing to share second prize. Hear the packaging will be wrapped in a helium ballon.

Comment by guckletis

36.

January 12, 2009
9:20 pm

Fight Like Apes
Armoured Bear
Lisa Hannigan
Chequerboard
Jape
RSAG
Mick Flannery
The Jimmy Cake
David Holmes
One Day International

Comment by Pen Walsh

37.

January 12, 2009
9:30 pm

Halfset - Another Way of Being There
You’re Only Massive/Queen Kong - Dot Dash
Rollers/Sparkers - Hames
Adebisi Shank - This is The Album…
David Holmes - Holy Pictures
Ham Sandwich - Carry The Meek
Chequerboard - Penny Black
Jape - Ritual
Lisa Hannigan - Sea, Sew
RSAG - Organic Sampler

Comment by Orla

38.

January 12, 2009
10:20 pm

One Day International
Jape
Fight Like Apes
Lisa Hannigan
Ham Sandwich
Fred
The Georgous Colours
The Hedge School
David Holmes
Chequerboard

BTW, am gainfully employed by Paddy Power and I’ve seen seveal requests coming in for prices on Fight Like Apes over the last few weeks - some people out there reckon they’re a sure thing!

Comment by fionaoc

39.

January 13, 2009
12:05 am

Chequerboard
Jape
Fight Like Apes
Lisa Hannigan
Pony Club
Fred
David Holmes
Republic of Loose
Imelda May
RSAG

With Katie Kim and Halfset in close contention……

Comment by miguel_myriad

40.

January 13, 2009
12:32 am

There’s going be some really great albums left out this time round, should be interesting.

more of a heart than head selection but here ye go:

RSAG
Fight like Apes
Jape
Abedisi Shank
Lisa Hannigan
Chequerboard
David Holmes
Jimmy Cake
One Day International
Heathers

Comment by Frank

41.

January 13, 2009
12:43 am

According to the Choice website, the album must be 33 and a 1/3 minutes long to qualify.
Are they strict on this?
That would rule out 2 of my favourites… Adebisi Shank and The Vinny Club.
Other than that, i’d go for Chequerboard and Crayonsmith.

But i reckon the judges will go for Jape, Lisa Hannigan, RSAG, and FLA for a start

Comment by Pee

42.

January 13, 2009
9:29 am

Jape
Fight Like Apes
Lisa Hannigan
Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill
Ham Sandwich
Heathers
Chequerboard
David Holmes
Katie Kim
One Day International

Comment by Soc

43.

January 13, 2009
10:22 am

Ah I don’t care about money enough to regurgitate everyone else’s noms. If I was the big boss of a big cheese tourney, this is who I’d shortlist.

Adebisi Shank
Crayonsmith
The Dudley Corporation
God Is An Astronaut
Halfset
Jape
Land Lovers
Michael Knight
So Cow
The Vinny Club

Let me die penniless, wearing headphones

Comment by Naomi

44.

January 13, 2009
10:42 am

33 and a 1/3 minutes long to qualify.

Isn’t it 33 1/3 OR a certain number of tracks?

Comment by Ian

45.

January 13, 2009
11:12 am

ok here goes -

jape
fight like apes
adebesi shank
chequerboard
RSAG
Lisa H
Katie Kim (surely she’ll be in there though nobody else tipping her?….)
Messiah J
Ham Sandwich

and i’ll sayyyyyyyy……. David Holmes

could prob list 15 real possibilities but i’ll go with that.

now ye’re not going to do a mercury and throw in obscure folk and jazz/classical selections are ye??!!

Comment by ron

46.

January 13, 2009
11:32 am

So, did anybody get the 10 right so far? And if not, what is the closest, eh? Or do we just have to wait until tomorrow?

Comment by Ciarán

47.

January 13, 2009
11:39 am

Some interesting guesses so far me!

Comment by Jim Carroll

48.

January 13, 2009
1:25 pm

I’ll go for…
Jape
Fight like apes
Chequerboard
Halfset
RSAG
Lisa Hannigan
Katie Kim
Messiah J & The expert
David Holmes
Dual

Comment by Ana

49.

January 13, 2009
2:22 pm

God Is an Astronaut
Jape
Lisa Hannigan
David Holmes
Halfset
Katie Kim
Adebesi Shank
Fight Like Apes
The Hedge Schools and……
…..The Blizzards or The Script should get the final slot. Not my cup of tea but but both bands write good, solid pop songs - especially The Script, and they deserve to be on the list.

Holmes, God Is An Astronaut, Hedge Schools, Halfset…these are the best four Irish albums released in 08 by a long way…..would be delighted to see any one of these winning.

Comment by Quint

50.

January 13, 2009
3:35 pm

Right. Here we go. Right… Okay… I’m gonna go with:

Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew
Adebisi Shank - This is the album of a band called Adebisi Shank
Vinny Club - Rocky IV Reckyrd
Mick Flannery - White Lies
Jape - Ritual
Fight Like Apes
Hang Sangich
RSAG - Organic Sampler
Messiah J and The Expert

I had 14 but then that was more than 10. I’d say it’s a tough choice to make. The Irish music scene had a great year.

Comment by Laura

51.

January 13, 2009
3:55 pm

I’ll have a shot of-

David Holmes
Lisa Hannigan
Chequerboard
Halfset
Oppenheimer
Katie Kim
Jape
Fight Like Apes
Adebisi Shank

And RSAG on an outside hope.

If Dave Turpin goes and shipwrecks this for me I’m never sitting through his show again.

Comment by Dan

52.

January 13, 2009
4:10 pm

My stab in the dark is…
Mick Flannery,
Jape,
Messiah J And The Expert
Fight Like Apes
RSAG
The Script
Oppenheimer
Lisa Hannigan
Imelda May
The Jimmy Cake

Comment by Dani

53.

January 13, 2009
5:03 pm

Here’s my guess:

Chequerboard
Joe Chester
Jape
Fight Like Apes
Lisa Hannigan
Ham Sandwich
David Holmes
Pony Club
Mick Flannery
Snow Patrol

* Colm Mac Con Iomaire should be on it; pity not enough people heard the album…

Comment by Nadine

54.

January 13, 2009
5:42 pm

Jim, a typical accumalator bet of ten winners would offer odds in the region of 56227.50/1. And you’re laying down a paltry 100 yoyos? Up the stakes!

Comment by Eamon Sweeney

55.

January 13, 2009
6:54 pm

Is there a set time it will be announced?

Comment by aaron

56.

January 13, 2009
7:33 pm

I wasn’t waiting for everyone else to cast their votes, honest…

My head says:
Jape
Messiah J & The Expert
R.S.A.G.
Lisa Hannigan
Fight Like Apes
Chequerboard
Heathers
The Jimmy Cake
Adebisi Shank
David Holmes (a good outside bet to win)

My hearts not going to forgive me for excluding Katie Kim but reckon she might be this year’s Mumblin Deaf Ro’.

And surely the judges will see past Snow Patrol and The Script in such a great year for Irish music….

Comment by Padraic

57.

January 13, 2009
10:52 pm

Ok… guess number 50-something…..

Fight Like Apes (has to be a dead cert, no?)
RSAG (if it isn’t on the list my faith in you lot is lost forever)
Spook of the 13th Lock
Adebisi Shank
Lisa Hannigan
Jape
Messiah J & the Expert
Oppenheimer
David Holmes
and….. em…. One Day International

Heres hoping

Comment by Sheena

58.

January 13, 2009
11:19 pm

jape
r.s.a.g.
fight like apes
armoured bear
katie kim
republic of loose
heathers
lisa hannigan
adebisi shank
jimmy cake

Comment by fergal

59.

January 13, 2009
11:51 pm

a - Adebisi Shank
b - David Holmes
c - Fight like Apes
d - Ham Sandwich
e - Jape
f - Jimmy Cake
g - Lisa Hannigan
h - Messiah J and The Expert
i - RSAG
j - Sunken foal

Comment by Ronan

60.

January 14, 2009
12:04 am

And there goes the final whistle!

The good news - my money is safe.

While all 10 albums are listed above, no-one has managed to come up with a list containing all 10 names on the shortlist.

One poster got 8 out of 10 and a few got 7 out of 10, but that’s as close as it got.

The shortlist will be announced today (Wednesday) at 3pm-ish on Today FM, on the Choice Music Prize website and on this here blog. We can kick off the discussion about why On The Record readers got it wrong then

Comment by Jim Carroll

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