March 1st, 2007
A Divine Choice?
“I’ve always been a Divine Comedy fan but I don’t think the judges will go for Neil.”
Marie, who left the above comment on this post might not mind today that she didn’t predict where the judges votes would go for this year’s Choice Music Prize. Last night, to many people’s surprise, The Divine Comedy won the 2nd ever Choice Music Award for his album Victory for the Comic Muse. Sitting in a room with 11 other judges was a surreal, tense experience but was really enjoyable. Everyone had different opinions, but made equally strong cases for their preferred albums. The quality of the shortlist was reflected in the fact that even 20 minutes before the deadline for deciding on the winner, we were still talking about four albums. In the end, it really came down to two and it was difficult to decide, but to recycle an old cliché, there can only be one winner.
Jim Carroll and Dave Reid should be commended for getting this prize off the ground of their own volition, and Jim really pushed us all to qualify, explain and justify our choices on the night. Hats off to him.
As a Divine Comedy fan, I’m delighted for Neil Hannon and think the award is well deserved. Having parted company with his label Parlophone recently, I’m sure winning this seems like something of a validation.
Well done Neil (and nice Kraftwerk T-shirt).
Update: I forget to mention that DC fans should look out for the new Air album Pocket Symphony out this weekend, which features Neil guesting on one of the album’s best tracks called ‘Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping’.
Links:
Divine Comedy website
Divine Comedy on myspace
March 1st, 2007 at 9:42 am
Interesting outcome Sinead! I was listening to this on the radio in a room with 5 people and no-one even mentioned Divine Comedy to win it.
Sounds like a cool experience for you - I can see this prize as becoming more important as time goes on. Are you not going to tell us who it came down to in the end?
Oh.. and I’m so glad it wasn’t Director or Snow Patrol.
March 1st, 2007 at 10:10 am
Been saying since the album came out it would up there for album of the year.
In my opinion anyway, Neil is Irelands best song writer by a mile. Intelligent lyrics, amazing arrangments but always led by fantastic melodies. So well deserved…
March 1st, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Good God. Where are The Jimmy Cake or Tychonaut when you need them?
March 1st, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Neil Hannon IS Ireland’s Ireland’s finest songwriter, so I’m delighted by the judges’ choice here - thank you for your part in it, Sinead. Yes it was a surprise but even his live performance last night showed him to be (strangely for such a diminutive figure) head and shoulders above the rest.
His Kraftwerk T-shirt was indeed nice but I thought his ELO badge (hidden behind some bizarre ornament or other in the photo) was even more fetching.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 am
Caught the outcome this morning on Today FM and gotta admit I’m surprised, but fair play to Neil Hannon, the man has to be recognised by his talents. Fantastic competition this year.
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:15 am
Thanks for quoting me!!! I’m delighted for Neil,he’s such a talented artist and doesn’t get the credit he’s due. Didn’t mean to be presumptuous about the judges, I really thought they go for an “up and comer”, but the right decision was made on this one. Thank you!!!
March 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am
So you’re one of the guilty ones, eh?
ho ho ho