Five-by-Five: A smattering of awesome tunes

Sometimes there's some kind of rational thread that holds these Five-by-Five posts together. Today there isn't. Hope you enjoy the tunes nonetheless.

This is a great track from The Courteeners called "Not Nineteen Forever" from their 2008 album St. Jude.

Here are two awesome Clash songs that I remember from my childhood, both from the 1979 classic London Calling.

"Train In Vain"

"Lost in the Supermarket"

I must have discovered Guillemots through their nomination for The Mercury Prize. This is one of my favourite songs of theirs "Trains to Brazil" from the 2006 release Through The Windowpane.

Years ago I saw a cool video of a group playing acoustically at a party. You could easily believe it was a hipster bash in Soho. And I was sure the band was The Oohlas. Of course, I can't find this video now.

But here's a great song by The Oohlas. It's "Lemming's Anthem" from their 2009 album Chinchilla.

Mercury Prize Short List Announced!

I always love this time of year - the Mercury Prize short list is announced. There are usually a few artists that I'm familiar with and I can give a nod to. And there are some artists I'm not familiar with. I've had some good finds from previous Mercury Prize lists including Guillemots, Bat for Lashes and The Zutons.

guardian.co.uk has posted the Nominations for the Mercury Prize 2009 (with odds from bookmaker William Hill)

Florence and the Machine – Lungs 5/1

Kasabian – West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum 5/1

Bat for Lashes – Two Suns 6/1

La Roux – La Roux 6/1

Glasvegas – Glasvegas 6/1

Speech Debelle – Speech Therapy 8/1

Friendly Fires – Friendly Fires 8/11

The Horrors – Primary Colours 8/1

Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew 8/1

The Invisible – The Invisible 10/1

Led Bib – Sensible Shoes 10/1

Sweet Billy Pilgrim – Twice Born Men 10/1

Although I'm sure to find some interesting new music amongst the nominees that I don't already know, here are a few videos from the nominees I do know.











Update: I should have mentioned that the Awards Show and Winner Announcement is September 8, 2009.