Steve
I'm always listening to Cast of Thousands.. love 'em. This one will keep me going for a lifetime..

Paul C
Elbow are not really describable - something like Jake Thackeray fronting Radiohead playing Peter Gabriel era Genesis. Intensely moving, funny, beautiful, English music

Peter Styles
well done to Guy and the lads,Elbow's earlier output was amazing but The Seldom Seen Kid tops the lot... They deserve all the accolades that are available. If only all bands cared so much about the music they make. And Guy is an amazing DJ on 6 Music too... all the very best to you and enjoy your growing success.

Gary Raven
Works for me not only because I love their music anyway but also because it works as an album not a collection of songs, they also have a fantastic dynamic sound in some of their music.

jane
just amazing, saw them at latitude, blew me away, Mirrorball is perfect.A well deserved win, and about time too !! well done guys XX

Ricky
It's just a wonderful album, in fact their forth wonderful album. Well done to them for winning and special mention and gongratulations to Guy Garvey, a true gentleman.

Al
They should have had it for Leaders of the free world, which was a touch better, but this album is a winner and it couldn't happen to a more deserving band.

HEATHER WOAD
Wow fantastic well done and congratulations Elbow

HEATHER WOAD
Fantastic album, absolutely brilliant. Elbow deserve full recognition for their amazing talent.

Brian Kelly
The best band around--Seldom Seen Kid IS A MASTERPIECE!!

Ryan
What can be said? Elbow have been overlooked by the masses for many years now and I think it is their time to be recognised. Guy Garvey continues with his dry wit and haunting vocals. I saw them at Delamere, and due to see them at Manchester Apollo on the 30th Oct, they are one of the UK's best bands of the moment!

Leigh
Followed these guys since the release of the newborn EP way back when. Still my favourite band, beautiful, thought provoking and at times hilarious lyrics backed by a sound that maybe only radiohead can match. In addition, Guy Garvey alone deserves to win something for his radio show on BBC 6 music. Top stuff!

Gillian Karle
just sent a comment through without my name doh! It was the one which said about the music making the hair on the back of your neck stand up and making your mind work.Thanks

Paddy McKenna
Saw them at Electric Picnic in Laois in Ireland last week. They were so so so good. They set the live performance bar for every other band. One Day Like This was epic with the boys giving it everything. It's just great to know that there are bands who give every gig the same 100% effort. Legends.

Iain Kirk
Having been a fan of the band for a LONG time, they deserve the recognition of the this award for what is their best and most consistent album.Sad, bitter, funny, dark and also at times joyfully optimistic, "Seldom Seen Kid" is a corker.......

Wattie
A stunning album of original music and production topped of with wonderful,witty and moving lyrics. Garvey in love is indeed a wonderful thing. Too many superb tracks to pick out but for me Starlings,Some riot and Tower Crane are outstanding. Having listened to the majority of the other nominees this is head and shoulders above most and whilst Radiohead and Burial have made good albums this stands out. In typical Elbow fashion they will not win and allow us to privately cherish what every one els is missing. I really don't know whether I wnat the to won or not!!

liz tierney
It is the sort of album that can move you to tears. I listen to it most days and never tire of it. Elbow never let me down! Live they are awesome too - this band have it all - I really hope they get the recognition they deserve tonight.

Kevin
for to long elbow have been over looked on many levels. one of my favorite bands of all time. for me only seldom seen kid or in rainbows can win this award and i'm hoping its elbow

Lois Kane
Shortlisted to win because they stand out from the crowd and consistently make gorgeous music that deserves to be recognised in this way they are genuine sincere people not materialistic or up themselves just wanting to keep on making music I don't think they care if they win or loose they don't look the types of people to be bothered either way...they are a breath of fresh air and long may they continue!!

Chris
Absolutely the best band around at the moment!

Jayne
Seldon Seen Kid is absolutely brilliantly original, I just cannot stop listening to Friends of Ours, it makes my spine tingle. Guy's voice haunts and soothes and chills you all at once. I still believe in love, so fook you!

Stocky
Their performance at Glastonbury this year was fantastic, the new album is fantastic and I think this band is one of the most underrated bands around, they deserv the best, as they are one of the best around these days.

Caron Jones
Undoubtedly one of the best Albums to be released for many years.Original, inventive, thought provoking and more than anything, hugely enjoyable. This is a GREAT band and this last offering builds on the sheer beauty and power of their previous three releases. Those who have seen them Live will obviously vouch for their brilliance.Just played the track 'Friend of Ours' and it couldn't have been written and performed by any other band - fabulous track !They absolutely deserve The Mercury Prize.

Rishi Patel
This album, as well as their others, is fantastic. They are a band that havnt been as celebrated as they should be and deserve some recognition, so lets hope they win the mercury prize!! Elbow are great!!!

philly crosby
because seldom do you see a band like this - no joke. They're brilliant, and it's been a matter of time, but finally and inevitably, they will receive the recognition they deserve...

Julie
Seldom Seen Kid is the best album released by any band in a very long time! One day Like This is amazing - just the opening few notes turns my stomach inside out (in a good way!) and Seldom Seen Kid is addictive. Fingers crossed that they win!

Lou Miller
A wonderful album, beautifully crafted as with all of their music. Consistently brilliant with amazing live performances everytime. There aren't many songs that give me goosebumps but this album is full of them. Long may they continue.

Chris Rollason
It's a good album, but not as consistant nor as good as their earlier material."Leaders of the free world" is one of the albums of the decade so far. "Seldom seen Kid" isn't quite there.

Simon Maher
The Seldom Seen Kid was shortlisted for a Mercury because every song on the record has the power to move you in some way, happy or sad. Elbow's music makes life better – it encourages you to examine your life, your emotions, your actions and your interactions.

Andy Barnes
Since the release of Asleep in the back, Elbow have consistently produced brilliant music and fully derserve to win the Mercury music prize for Seldom Seen Kid. When most bands reach a third or fourth album, it tends to be a major disappointment as the creative juices start to dry up. Not Elbow however, they just seem to get better and better.

Peter Longworth
I first saw Elbow live at the Manchester Apollo back in the 90's when they were the support act for the Manic Street Preachers who I thought were totally outshone that night. Having followed their progress for so many years I am delighted that they are finally attracting the attention that they fully deserve. They're a great bunch of people, totally untouched by celebrity, great ambassadors for Manchester and role models for any young bands out there. Why should Elbow win the Mercury Music Prize ? Just listen to the album !!

Jamie Ralph
The genius of Guy Garvey shines again in Elbow's latest masterpiece "The Seldom Seen Kid". Be a crime if they didn't win it!

warren sargeant
quite simply a wonderfully written album! i've followed the progress of these guys music career and always look forward to there new albums,as i rate them as one of the best bands to ever grace our shores in the last 20 years .they deserve all the credit for there talent.

Sally
A beautiful album. I find something new I love in it every time I hear it. Which is a lot. For me, Elbow stand against every over-hyped, of-the-moment, fluffed up media friendly indie band that seems to be filling up the airwaves currently, and wipe the floor with them. The shadow puppets can only aspire to having such greatness (and facial hair)Also, every time I hear the opening of 'starlings' it reminds me of 'eye of the tiger'I don't know if this was intentional, but it can only be a good thing as far as I am concerned x

gary
The best lyricist in the country and a stunningly good band

Paul Stephen Hagan
Because Elbow are supreme musicians who have now crafted a fourth album of memorable tracks which thrill and lift your heart. The best band around at the moment and for many years to come hopefully - see them live if you can for the true Elbow experience.

Matthew
I think Elbow have been shortlisted because 'Seldom Seen Kid' has made people realise that their music has always been fantastic. At times euphoric ("Throw those curtains wide/one like this a year will see me right" almost brought a tear to my eyes at Glastonbury in the evening sunshine) , often experimental and wonderfully melodic throughout, their latest album is, depending what mood I'm in, my favourite. And considering the quality of the other three albums, that is really saying something.

Amy Hill
Elbow have been a very underated band for many years now, we should be proud to have such an amazing group of musicians from our country. After many label changes they have not given up, and the "seldom seen kid" is their best offering yet, its about time they get the recognition they deserve.

Rosie Eagle
I believe Elbow are one of the best bands around, they are acknowledged within the music industry and have supported good bands like the Cure. They crafted the crowd pleasing big Festival sounds we now know and love. I have seen them as headliners where there musical genius and variety can hold the crowd spellbound. Every album is great especially Seldom Seen Kid which is lyrically and musically original. The band are hard working and give of themselves to Charity Events (Manchester versus Cancer was a memorable event). I think the Mercury shortlist was correct to include such a fantastic band in the ranks. Elbow get my vote!!

paul sayers
Quite simply this is the most beautiful album of the year. At Last an album that uses strings musically and not as a filler. " One day like this " is a modern anthem and "Starlings" for me brings to mind the best of Jon and vangelis. The live performances have have blown the competition out of the water. They should win everything this year

Meic Brooks
Because every layer of each track works on different senses and different emotions within me. It's a holistic album.

Michelle
It's such a brilliant album, that's why!I wish these guys were known more in Australia.. so much talent.. such great songs!Awesome album!

Sharon Lecluyse
consistent fantabulous music! nuff said :-)