ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2011 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Over the past few months I have, with the aid and input of 'the judging panel', been cutting down a long list of over 100 qualifying albums into a shortlist of twelve that will be look studied hard and reviewed by our panel of experts. This year the choice was harder than ever, and the need to assure that shortlist covers all genres and represents both Bristol based acts as well as those from other parts of the UK and beyond (and thus reflect the range of bands and music the show has featured in the past 12 months), has resulted in some pre-shortlist faves not making the final 12. This is no reflection of any album not featured here, and is the result of some very tough and often painful decision making. After all 2011 was a bit of classic year all round, and many of those who failed to make this shortlist for one reason or another will be mentioned in a 'Highly recommended' list that will be published in a few days..

Anyway, the 12 contenders are....

Awake - 'Forever More'

Bide Your Time - 'Point Proven'

Bi-Polar Sluts - 'Out 4 Dinner'

Crash Street Kids - 'Sweet Creatures'

Fornost Arnor - 'The Death Of A Rose'

Hate Gauge - 'Hope, Envy, Love and Lies'

Pallas - 'XXV'

Pendragon - 'Passion'

Rita Lynch - 'Crack On'

Somnus - 'The Stench Of Deceit'

The Skuzzies - 'The Skuzzies'

Todd Dillingham - 'Song Cycle 2011'

So What Happens Now?

Well we have a panel of 12 good music people and true.(including myself), they are musicians, radio DJ's, a record producer, a gig promoter and a couple of the shows most loyal and oldest listeners. They will give all the above albums a good listen over the next month or so and I'll collate the results and the winner of both ALBUM OF THE YEAR and ALBUM OF A YEAR FROM A LOCAL ARTIST will be announced sometime in February.

So Where's the new Megadeth or Black Veil Brides album in the list?

This award is designed to celebrate underground acts, new talent and those unsung heroes who have been plugging away for years without mainstream success.

 

To Qualify an album must meet the following criteria

1) Be a full length release

2) Be either a self released record, on a small indie label, an album length demo, or an import album not generally released in the UK

3) Have been featured on the show during the previous year

The shortlist is compiled from a full list of qualifying album based panel recommendations and listener feedback, and is designed to reflect the diversity in styles and origins of the music featured on the show.

Previous Winners...

Album of The Year...

2007 - CRASH STREET KIDS - 'CHEMICAL DOGS'

2008 - DIGNITY - 'PROJECT DESTINY'

2009 - LUNACY BOX - 'LUNACY BOX'

2010 - V0ID - 'ZER0'

Album of The Year From A Local (Bristol) Artist...

2007 - (No Award Given)*

2008 - IAN BARTLETT - THE PRESENCE

2009 CRIMSON SKY - 'MISUNDERSTOOD'

2010 - RITA LYNCH - 'WHAT AM I?' / JEBO - 'SETTLE UP OR SETTLE DOWN' (joint award)

(*NOTE - Although the award for best album from a Bristol based artist was not introduced until 2008, the best placed Bristol act in 2007 was PANIC OFFICE with the album 'GHOST MUSIC')