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The Brits Factor

6:08 PM GMT 19/02/2010

Florence Welch, cleaning up at the Brits this week

JUST AS MOJO was looking forward to writing off the Brits as a relic of "old-model" record industry shitmatazz, it delivers a welcome result for one of the handful of new British bands we really, really like.

Amazon sales of Florence & The Machine's Lungs leapt by 1,550 per cent in the wake of Florence Welch's Brits appearance, where she snagged the Best Album gong, and although the ceremony bestowed its blessings indiscriminately (Lady GaGa also felt an uplift, hem hem) this at least was something to applaud.

Did the return of Sam Fox - presenting a Best Ever Performance Ever Ever At The Brits Ever award to The Spice Girls - suggest that some kind of unexpectedly benign Brits amnesty was at work? Mick Fleetwood - her co-host in the balls-up fiasco that was the 1989 ceremony - was sadly not in attendance, but the currently massive demand for Fleetwood Mac tickets will reassure him that has not been permanently tainted.

Perhaps - and I'm not sure I can believe what I'm saying here - the Brits shouldn't be deep-sixed after all. Perhaps they could even be expanded to reflect the breadth and depth of British music in the manner of the Grammys.

The latter institution has its critics, too, but its bizarre cussedness has been preferable, historically, to the Brits' supine obsequiousness to gross sales and desperate scrabbling for scraps of glamour. In comparison, The Grammys offer the sizzle of the headline categories, while still saluting the best in gospel, zydeco and Norteño (although naturally we regret the passing of the polka category).

While British folk and jazz have their BBC-sponsored awards, it seems bizarre that they are sidelined on a day when the British record industry celebrates itself. And just because the MOBOs exist, that's no reason to so routinely snub the fertile zones of dubstep, R&B and British rap. British jazz and classical artists could use a look-in, too.

It would make the Brits seem more humble, sustainable, grass-roots-friendly and inclusive - all PRable buzzwords in 2010. Better that than the overpriced handjob for those already well enough able to "handle" themselves that it generally offers.

And oh, afore ye go, what really is the best British album of the last 30 years - since I presume you would all dispute that it was Oasis's (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, not being the best Oasis album even?

Our editor was canvassed by a newspaper in advance of the ceremony and volunteered the first Iron Monkey album... on the grounds that at least it was a record he genuinely loved. Even I - unreservedly not a "sludge metal" aficionado - prefer it to most of the nominees in this category...

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
Dido - No Angel
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
Duffy - Rockferry
Keane - Hopes & Fears
Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Phil Collins - No Jacket Required
Sade - Diamond Life
The Verve - Urban Hymns
Travis - The Man Who

What would be YOUR choice, and can you post it below? Mine's this...

Danny Eccleston

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 6:08 PM GMT 19/02/2010

Related MOJO content:

Brits , Florence And The Machine

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  • Mine is Muse - Absolution. Agree about Brits only helping those who can help themselves. What about a real newcomer category - not people with a massive label behind them already but those on the way up making top sounds with a loyal fanbase - like Newcastle's electro rock band VIVA CITY ? Their gig at the Cluny this Thurs 25 Feb will have the place going mental and get get rave reviews, but when will the Brits take notice? M

    Posted by Minxx at 8:51 AM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

    Reply to this post

  • Simple, The Happy Mondays - Bummed.

    Posted by Alex. at 9:29 AM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

    Reply to this post

  • Kate Bush 'Hounds of Love'

    'The Ninth Wave' - 'nuff said....

    Posted by arosegrowingold at 11:02 AM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • Pick one from 5 -

    PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love
    Radiohead - Kid A
    Ian Brown - Golden Greats
    Burial - Burial
    The Verve - A Northern Soul

    Posted by Anonymous at 2:33 PM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • It's got to be the debut by The Stone Roses, has'nt it?

    Posted by The Fourth Bardo at 5:02 PM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

    Reply to this post

  • It's got to be the debut by The Stone Roses, has'nt it?

    Posted by The Fourth Bardo at 5:03 PM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • It's got to be the debut by The Stone Roses, has'nt it?

    Posted by The Fourth Bardo at 5:04 PM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • RE: The Fourth Bardo
    the Roses were just pretenders, the Mondays were the real deal.

    Posted by terry vision at 5:26 PM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • Dexy's Midnight Runners - Don't Stand Me Down

    Posted by gruntfuttock at 5:54 PM GMT 22/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • Easily: Public Image limited - "Metal Box"

    Most of the choices here a joke. Dido? Phil Collins?? Sade??? The wider public have appalling taste. Yes, I am a music snob and fuck Pop Idol.

    Posted by radiocitizen at 2:09 AM GMT 24/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • #1 - Public Image Limited, "Metal Box"

    Sade? Dido?? Phil Collins??? The general public has appalling taste - yes, I am a music snob and fuck Pop Idol.

    Posted by radiocitizen at 2:11 AM GMT 24/02/2010 Report Abuse

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  • RE: radiocitizen
    ARSEHOLE

    Posted by Yosser Hughes at 2:39 AM GMT 05/03/2010 Report Abuse

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  • I would take Lady Gaga over Florence and the Machine any day!

    Posted by John at 2:13 PM GMT 22/03/2010 Report Abuse

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  • I would take Lady Gaga over Florence and the Machine any day!

    Posted by John at 2:14 PM GMT 22/03/2010 Report Abuse

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  • I would take Lady Gaga over Florence and the Machine any day!

    Posted by John at 2:14 PM GMT 22/03/2010 Report Abuse

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