On The Record

  • Choice Music Prize - tenemus unum victorem

    February 28, 2008 @ 3:34 am | by Jim Carroll

    Congratulations to the mighty Super Extra Bonus Party who won the Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year 2007 at Vicar Street, Dublin last night.

    sebpchoice4.jpg

    • 60 Comments »

    1.
    February 28, 2008
    8:10 am

    A grand bunch of lads from down the pub. And now the Irish music critics’ choice as best album of 2007, eh?

    Maybe the critics were trying to make a point, like spoiling your vote at a general election?

    Comment by Angela Mullins
    2.
    February 28, 2008
    8:46 am

    well deserved
    great album

    Comment by Leigh O'Gorman
    3.
    February 28, 2008
    8:56 am

    Well done to them! Was there much swearing by or at the judges this year Jim??

    Comment by Liz
    4.
    February 28, 2008
    9:32 am

    good choice, well done the lads

    Comment by petee
    5.
    February 28, 2008
    9:34 am

    From the Choice Music Prize website: “The Choice Music Prize was established to highlight those albums which deserve some extra time in the spotlight and, ultimately, to select the album which best sums up the year in Irish music.”

    So the judges got the first part mostly right (the only exception being the absence of the Future Kings of Spain).

    But what happened with the second part? Super Extra Bonus Party are, to be kind, unique, surely they do not sum up Irish music in a year when both Cathy Davey and Adrian Crowley produced albums that were as brilliant as they were unexpected?

    Or maybe it’s a betting scam! In that case I’ll have to put 10 europes on one of the long odds selections next year, or have Fight like Apes already secured it? ;)

    Comment by Steve
    6.
    February 28, 2008
    10:04 am

    Congratulations to the lads - richly deserved and Jim, well done to yourself and Dave for what certainly sounded on the wireless to be another successful night.

    Comment by Padraic
    7.
    February 28, 2008
    10:05 am

    i havent heard the record but they were by far the worst performance of the evening.

    roisin murphy is a goddess. she was stunning and worth the price of admission alone.

    Comment by Q
    8.
    February 28, 2008
    10:32 am

    Oh happy, happy day!

    Comment by Naomi
    9.
    February 28, 2008
    10:34 am

    Well so much for the 50 quid I had on Adrian Crowley at 5-1 then. Sigh…

    Comment by Conor
    10.
    February 28, 2008
    10:35 am

    Baffling.

    I give up.

    Comment by Quint
    11.
    February 28, 2008
    10:44 am

    Well deserved!

    Love that photo of them as well

    Comment by Neill
    12.
    February 28, 2008
    11:27 am

    brilliant. well deserved.

    Comment by neil
    13.
    February 28, 2008
    11:36 am

    congrats to them! good album, i was suprised to see it win but i think its great that it did. really diverse and great songs… it’s brave, bold and a lot of fun

    Comment by flynnduism
    14.
    February 28, 2008
    11:46 am

    This is wonderful, congratulations to the lads, they really desvere it. They’ve come a long way since they were known as Illegal Kidz, a name they had to change due to the dodgy stuff that came up when you searched for them in Google :) Hopefully they’ll get a good time slot at the Picnic this year, althoguh they still managed to rock the house at midday last year… Marvellous!!

    Comment by enda
    15.
    February 28, 2008
    11:57 am

    Jim, I’ve calmed down today and have been gathering my thoughts over on the blog.

    In the cold, hungover light of day, I still don’t believe it’s the best Irish album of 2007.

    But them’s the breaks.

    Comment by Sinéad
    16.
    February 28, 2008
    12:08 pm

    How many Djs do you think had Cathy Davey lined up to play today as “Choice Prize Winner” and how many do you think will play the actual winners on mainstream radio today? :D

    Comment by Joe - Doss Spot
    17.
    February 28, 2008
    12:08 pm

    Such a predictable choice :P

    Comment by Ian
    18.
    February 28, 2008
    12:13 pm

    Don’t know much about the other contestants but these guys are fun. I saw them support Subtle earlier this year and picked up their album and really enjoyed it.

    They have a lot of support with online Irish music bloggers. Has this had any influence on this Jim or am I a bored conspiracy theorist?

    Comment by Steve K
    19.
    February 28, 2008
    12:22 pm

    Great night, I really enjoyed it but I feel indignant almost on a personal level. It just plainly and simply wasn’t the best album.

    I’m not begrudging them any success - well done and all that - but anyone who says that it’s deserved is either their mate, hasn’t given Cathy Davey’s album enough time, or is just deluded ;)

    Still, it could be worse. Could have been Dry County :/

    Comment by Lauren
    20.
    February 28, 2008
    12:23 pm

    I’m with Sinead on this, I don’t think that was the best Irish album of 2007 by a long shot. For me Adrian or Cathy would have been equally deserving of the prize.

    Comment by Bren
    21.
    February 28, 2008
    12:27 pm

    I have to say that i wholeheartedly disagree with the judges’ choice. The albums from Adrian Crowley, Roisín Murphy and Cathy Davey TOWER over everything else on the shortlist. I don’t mean to be rude but this result is a monumental surprise.

    Comment by Conor Furlong
    22.
    February 28, 2008
    12:29 pm

    Bad decision! I think the lads are great live and a very nice bunch but the production on this album was pretty bad.It was all over the gaff!
    As an album it’s really not up to scratch to win an album of the year title.

    Comment by Sara
    23.
    February 28, 2008
    12:46 pm

    I have to say i disagree completly, the albums by Cathy Davey, Adrian Crowley and Roisin Murphy are very nice, but not exactly ground breaking. It can only be a good thing that a band that are trying to do something different is rewarded for it. Slick production is not nearly as important as doing something original, imho…

    Comment by enda
    24.
    February 28, 2008
    12:59 pm

    Choice Music Event
    The highs:
    Roisin Murphy - amazing performance, her voice is unbelievable
    Finally getting to hear Aidan Crowley and Dry County after reading/hearing so much about them
    The organisation - when was the last time you were at an Irish event that actually started on time and kept on schedule
    The venue - Vicar St. is always great

    The lows:
    SEBP - not impressed, however haven’t bought the album so willing to be persuaded
    Certain members of the crowd, particularly the ones near me, talking through every song
    The audio on the video intros, too hard to hear
    That presenter guy from the North - what a tosser!

    Comment by fionaoc
    25.
    February 28, 2008
    1:16 pm

    but the production on this album was pretty bad.It was all over the gaff!

    What’s that got to do with whether or not the album is good or not? Plenty of my favourite albums sound like shit from a production standpoint.

    Comment by Ian
    26.
    February 28, 2008
    1:19 pm

    Enda - I agree with you on the originality front but original does not always equal good and I don’t find SEBP particularly good and certainly shouldn’t be rewarded for merely “trying”!

    Also, did anyone else have a bit of a Wizard of Oz moment seeing Jim for the first time up on stage last night?

    Comment by Catherine
    27.
    February 28, 2008
    1:34 pm

    I think production is an important element of any album, it can make or break it.

    Everyone’s going on about how original Super Extra Bonus Party are… really? Are they really that original? Why, because they have a Brazilian MC?

    Comment by Lauren
    28.
    February 28, 2008
    1:49 pm

    The Brazilian MC, the combination of electronics, hip hop and rock, the live visuals, etc, etc…. The most original music in the whole world, maybe not, but its certainly more original than any of the other fancied bands you mentioned. As to whether its good or better than the others, well that just comes down to your own subjective preference i guess, each to his own (Man, I would hate to have to judge one of these things).

    “but I feel indignant almost on a personal level.”

    ???? Seriously,,,get a grip….

    Comment by enda
    29.
    February 28, 2008
    1:55 pm

    I think production is an important element of any album, it can make or break it.

    Or it can be utterly irrelevant if the songs are good enough. But I am a fan of ramshackle lo-fi recordings.

    Comment by Ian
    30.
    February 28, 2008
    1:57 pm

    I don’t see anything original about SEBP, in my opinion they are a poor man’s Chemical Brothers.

    Good production is FUNDAMENTAL to an album’s success (as in, whether it’s good or not, not how many copies it shifts). Good production does not necessarily mean slick and polished but rather that the songs are recorded to their full potential. For example, Adrian Crowley’s, Cathy Davey’s and Roisín Murphy’s albums are superbly produced - the production serves the songs. The SEBP album sounds thrown-together and amateurish. Thrown-together production can work for bands (Beta Band, for example) but it doesn’t work for SEBP.

    In terms of the originality issue, the prize is for Best Album of 2007, not Most Original Album. Anyway, i’d take a great album over an “original” one any day of the week.

    Comment by Conor Furlong
    31.
    February 28, 2008
    2:05 pm

    Does a judging set-up such as Choice/Mercury not dictate that an album strongly loved by a few will lose out to one which is reasonably liked by all?

    Comment by colly_browy
    32.
    February 28, 2008
    2:16 pm

    Sorry Enda, didn’t realise being emotionally attached to an album was so offensive.. I’ll try to be cooler next time, yeah?

    Comment by Lauren
    33.
    February 28, 2008
    2:24 pm

    In fairness a sense of originality is always going to sway judges to some degree. I wouldn’t be surprised if a struggle to separate Cathy Davey from Adrian Crowley wasn’t a part of the decision. Maybe it’s just harder for singer songwriters to win music prizes. And maybe that’s the way it should be.

    Comment by dealga
    34.
    February 28, 2008
    2:30 pm

    I should qualify the previous post by adding that, of course, such a judging set-up is about as fair as you’re gonna get…certainly it makes the outcomes of Mercury/Choice Awards more exciting.

    But people still seem surprised to be surprised? If a pattern has emerged it’s that the outcomes of these awards are always unexpected and surprising.

    Comment by colly_browy
    35.
    February 28, 2008
    2:54 pm

    To each his own Lauren, thats all I’m saying…

    Comment by enda
    36.
    February 28, 2008
    3:59 pm

    Catherine, did you not already know that Jim is an old man?

    Comment by Liz
    37.
    February 28, 2008
    4:06 pm

    I certainly sound and feel like a croaky old man today

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    38.
    February 28, 2008
    4:11 pm

    sure, it was a shock winner, but i’m surprised at the level of animosity being heralded at it

    yes, they are mates, but it’s also a bloody excellent album
    just like cathy davey’s was also excellent, etc…. (still haven’t heard adrian crowley)

    i’m still surprised mumblin’ deaf ro didn’t even make the short list
    anyhoo, i’m happy enough

    Comment by Leigh O'Gorman
    39.
    February 28, 2008
    4:23 pm

    Must have been a good night regardless of the outcome- the blogosphere was eerily quiet this morning!

    Comment by TenaciousT
    40.
    February 28, 2008
    4:38 pm

    “I don’t see anything original about SEBP, in my opinion they are a poor man’s Chemical Brothers.”

    I don’t know which is funnier, the idea of the Chemical Brothers being original, or the idea of SEBP sounding like them.

    Comment by Ronan
    41.
    February 28, 2008
    4:52 pm

    I don’t see how SEBP were an “unexpected choice”. That is to say that I can’t understand why they were at 12-1 odds. Sure didn’t The Ticket’s preview of the awards say “If they don’t win, we predict a riot” (I know it was Jim who wrote that).

    Comment by Eoin
    42.
    February 28, 2008
    4:57 pm

    Sure didn’t The Ticket’s preview of the awards say “If they don’t win, we predict a riot” (I know it was Jim who wrote that).

    Point of clarification - I didn’t write that, that was from Tony Clayton-Lea’s preview

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    43.
    February 28, 2008
    5:00 pm

    None of the albums should have been unexpected choices. They WERE ALL SHORTLISTED so it’s fair game.

    I’m loving the reactions. Chalk and cheese. Just like most people’s music taste. Fascinating stuff.

    Comment by Niall
    44.
    February 28, 2008
    5:02 pm

    Given the reaction to this. I think I’m going to write all future blog posts in Latin

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    45.
    February 28, 2008
    5:15 pm

    Enda… exactly.. (?)

    Comment by Lauren
    46.
    February 28, 2008
    5:24 pm

    I think that getting twelve irish people to agree on a anything, never mind music, is an astonishing achievement.

    PS: well done SEBP.

    Comment by Ro
    47.
    February 28, 2008
    6:06 pm

    Can we have a vote on the judges now?

    Seriously though isn’t this row basically a matter of the post-internet music which is popular in America, Britain and around the world rearing its head in Ireland, and actually battling with more classical one genre stuff?

    Seems that way to me, people will always dismiss this sort of “only could be made in the 00s” music as fickle or question its longevity but the reality is it’s just second guessing. I kind of think of SEBP as “blog music”, not in any objectively negative way, and we don’t really know how long that genre will last or what changes will happen to it.

    Comment by Ronan
    48.
    February 28, 2008
    6:34 pm

    Longtime reader, first time poster

    I went along to Vicar Street last night and I had an absolute blast. It was one of the best nights out I’ve had in a long time. Everything about this was spot on - the way the show worked, the bands, the audience, the buzz.

    So what if not everyone thinks the winner is the best? That’s the way of the walk. What the Choice has done is produced this great, honest snapshot of what’s going in Irish music in any year. It’s not like the Meteors or any of that shite so kudos for that

    So thanks Jim and your co-organiser Dave and all the people behind the scenes for putting on a fantastic night. I’m off to HMV now to buy a few albums on the back of what I saw last night - I hope Super Extra Bonus Party, Dry County, Adrian Crowley and Roisin Murphy are as good on CD as they were live.

    Comment by D Stereo Boy
    49.
    February 28, 2008
    10:04 pm

    In order to counter all the criticism maybe we could organise a pro-choice rally?

    Comment by Ro
    50.
    February 28, 2008
    10:06 pm

    Fully 100 percent deserved.
    What is Beautiful about the whole thing was seeing the reaction of all the lads and all their friends to the win, Just like their music, one big happy experience. Last nights win and the arrival of The Bonus Party is just what Irish music has needed for a long time.

    Well done. Keep up the great work

    C
    EGG BLADE ON MOJO

    Comment by Ciaran
    51.
    February 28, 2008
    11:43 pm

    Look at all these comments. Jim, you should run a music award show every week.

    Comment by Ian
    52.
    February 28, 2008
    11:55 pm

    Roll on next year.

    Martin Hayes is a shoe in.

    So at least we know he definately won’t win it.

    Comment by cranky
    53.
    February 29, 2008
    12:37 am

    Any truth to the theory (not mine I hasten to add) that the judges were split into two factions over who should win between Cathy Davey and Adrian Crowley, the bad feeling escalating to the point where the two factions absolutely refused to reach a compromise, thus essentially ensuring those two acts were out of the running, and allowing SEBP to slip in to pole position?

    Comment by Neill
    54.
    February 29, 2008
    12:49 am

    “Point of clarification - I didn’t write that, that was from Tony Clayton-Lea’s preview”
    Well I had to accuse you to find out the truth…
    Saw SEBP in Galway last weekend. Great gig. I know that quite a few in the crowd had never heard their music before but really got into straight away on the night. Tunes like ‘Drone Rock’ have that effect.
    I really like the album though I admit to not having warmed to the tracks featuring Rodrigo Teles (sorry, man).
    Also, I think the single greatest thing about the Choice Prize is that it gets people talking about (and hopefully buying) music by Irish artists. Picking one winner is almost an insignificant afterthought (though the accolade and the prize money mean a lot to the winners) as the exposure and attention generated for the Irish music scene in general and the nominees in particular is more important. Obviously, picking one winner adds a sense of competition which is important for initially attracting the public’s interest.

    Comment by Eoin
    55.
    February 29, 2008
    1:16 am

    Most interesting point thus far has been about daytime radio’s reaction to this. They’d have been all over Cathy Davey or Adrian Crowley - It will be interesting to see if anyone has the balls to push something like SEBP

    Comment by Eoin
    56.
    February 29, 2008
    1:17 am

    And well done / hurrah etc etc

    Comment by Eoin
    57.
    February 29, 2008
    2:31 am

    “…Look at all these comments. Jim, you should run a music award show every week…”

    could you imagine and/or stand the constant bickering and in-fighting??

    Comment by Leigh O'Gorman
    58.
    February 29, 2008
    8:03 am

    thanks for all the comments folks.

    enda @ 54 reads my mind when he says “I think the single greatest thing about the Choice Prize is that it gets people talking about (and hopefully buying) music by Irish artists.”

    Oscar also speaks for me

    http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/39714.html

    Comment by Jim Carroll
    59.
    February 29, 2008
    10:17 am

    as a fan of mainly electronic music i wouldnt be crazy about the album but it was still far more imaginative than anything else on offer.

    i see the SEBP win as a bit of a two fingers to the tom dunne/whelans type mediocrity which has long had its day.

    i also had the best night i’ve had in a while at this thing. great fun. fair play jim et al.

    Comment by Frank
    60.
    February 29, 2008
    2:01 pm

    Great, great night Jim. All this chatter after the event makes it even better. I love it when people get passionate about Irish music.

    Such a success of a night. Congratulations to yourself and Dave Reid, and everyone involved behind the scenes.

    See you at the other awards tomorrow night!

    Comment by aoife mc

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