The xx, Wild Beasts, Villagers up for Mercury

The nominees for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize were announced in the past hour and while Ragged Words both correctly predicted and wanted The xx, Wild Beasts and Laura Marling to each receive a nod, we're particularly chuffed that Villagers Becoming a Jackal deservedly made the shortlist of 12.

That's pretty much where our excitement ends though. We're certainly happy for Foals and have no issue with Biffy Clyro and I Am Kloot having a decade's worth of hard graft rewarded but overall, the list is a bit of a bore. We're certainly not the only one's who can unfortunately say we told you so regarding Dizzee Rascal (our predicted token 'urban act) and Mumford & Sons (our one for the mums pick). And while some of the names our Mercury Maths threw up didn't come up, the formula predictably granted the token jazz entry (Kit Downes), one from the old guard (Paul Weller) and even had time for a second safe option (Corinne Bailey Rae).

In short that means no Four Tet, no Fuck Buttons, no Field Music, no Gorillaz, no These New Puritans, no Errors, no Male Bonding.... Aghhhhh

While we calm ourselves down by checking the highly more original runners and riders for the 20 Quid Music Prize, you can read the nominees in full below.

Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions
Corinne Bailey Rae - The Sea
Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N' Cheek
Foals - Total Life Forever
I Am Kloot - Sky At Night
Kit Downes - Trio Golden 
Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can 
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More 
Paul Weller - Wake Up the Nation
The xx - xx
Villagers - Becoming a Jackal
Wild Beasts - Two Dancers