GO THE END WITH THE Q

The nominations for the Q awards have been announced, and they want you - yes, you to vote for the winners. Yes...

So, Best New Act:
Hard-Fi
Kaiser Chiefs
Jem
Magic Numbers
MIA
James Blunt

Yes, james blunt has made the shortlist. Somewhat oddly, this category is sponsored by Island which is a bit like having a football team sponsoer the FA Cup.

Best Live Act:
Green Day
U2
Muse
Oasis
Coldplay

Clearly, it's impossible to be a decent live act unless you play to at least squinty-billion people in one go.

Napster - Napster! - sponsors the Best Track:

James Blunt - You're Beautiful
U2 - Vertigo
Oasis - The Importance of Being Idle
KT Tunstall - The Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Coldplay - Fix You

Jesus, they used to accuse Q of being dowdy and middle-aged; could they have not found a cardigan manufacturer to sponsor this bunch? At least with live act you could give a grudging nod to Muse, but... we're going to vote of KT Tunstall. Because that's what we drew from a hat.

Best album:

Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth
Coldplay - x&y
James Blunt - Back To Bedlam
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Goldfrapp - Supernature

Blimey... something with a heart still in it... go Ms Goldfrapp...

Best Act in the world today:

Coldplay
Green Day
U2
Oasis
Muse

Here, to be honest, even a grudging vote for Muse seems to be pushing it - is this how they manage to keep getting critical acclaim, by hanging around on shortlists of intolerable berks and seeming the least worst option?

Without a doubt, this is most painful shortlist a magazine poll has ever offered for a guitarry-band type poll. It's more like a balloon debate, without even the saving grace of throwing the losers over the edge of a balloon.

music q green day muse kaiser chiefs u2 oasis