The Mercury music prize is famously cursed. Most of the artists who have won the prize have either disappeared or have gone on to make crappy albums.

Roni Size? Gomez? Ms Dynamite? Talvin Singh? M People? It seems that if you say hello to the Mercury Music Prize, you say goodbye to your career.

Undeterred, the awards keep being given out. Today, the 2005 Mercury Music Prize Shortlist was revealed. And here are the 12 shortlisted albums…

Anthony And The Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now. A scary fat bloke in a dress sings like Nina Simone.

Bloc Party – Silent Alarm. Gang Of Four with better hair.

Coldplay - X&Y. A millionaire whines about being sad to soundtrack a thousand dinner parties.

The Go! Team – Thunder Lightning Strike. Genius primary-coloured mish-mash.

Hard-Fi – Stars Of CCTV. Busted for grown-ups.

KT Tunstall – Eye To The Telescope. Just what the world needs. Another flipping Dido.

Kaiser Chiefs – Employment. Ubiquitous cheeky Northern goons.

The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers. Great big cuddly Mamas & Papas tribute band.

Maximo Park – A Certain Trigger. Decent enough angular guitar combo.

MIA – Arula. Mental Sri Lanka/London brilliance.

Polar Bear – Held On The Tips On Fingers. Enormo-haired free jazz punk.

Seth Lakeman – Kitty Jay. Obligatory cheap folk album.

Who’ll win? Find out as the award is announced on September 6th.