[Above: Perennial nominee Alex Turner (here representing the 2006-winning, 2007-nominated Arctic Monkeys) accepts a Mercury. His project The Last Shadow Puppets is up for nomination this year.]For many award events, the fervency of surrounding discussion seems as influential as the actual bestowing of accolades. The Mercury Prize, given to the best album by a British or Irish artist made in the previous year, is no exception.

Signs of Life 2008: Best Music
Leona Naess - "All is Fair"
the everybodyfields - "Worth Keeping"
TVotR, The Roots, Cee-Lo, more re-imagine Nat King Cole
Live at Paste: Whitley


