As a judge, I’m saying nothing right now. Tighter than a duck’s arse my lips will be.
- Fight Like Apes – Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion (Model Citizen)
- Mick Flannery – White Lies (EMI)
- Halfset – Another Way of Being There (Casino Gravity Records)
- Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew (Own label)
- David Holmes – The Holy Pictures (Canderblinks)
- Jape – Ritual (Co-Op)
- Messiah J & The Expert – From The Word Go (Inaudible)
- Oppenheimer Take The Whole Mid-Range And Boost It (Fantastic Plastic)
- R.S.A.G. – Organic Sampler (Psychonavigation)
- The Script – The Script (Sony Music)

Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
jape to win
the script – wtf??
Goes to show how much modern Irish music I know, don’t have any of those.
Da Script for da prize!!!!!! Oh and congrats on becoming a judge mr Byrne. G’wan Da Script!!!! Wooooo!
Tenner on The Script, I love the way they have all the emotions and the words there. They’re like the Irish U2.
p.s. as a judge, do you get to wear a wig?
p.s. as a judge, do you get to wear a wig?
I frickin hope so..
holmes all the way.
Not being in Ireland anymore (and as a student, not able to buy as much music as i’d like) I’ve only heard 2 full albums off the list (Fight like apes, Lisa Hannigan), both of which i really like.
Haven’t ever heard The Script. But the bits and pieces i’ve heard off Halfset, RSAG and MessiahJ all sound interesting.
Enjoy all the smack talk about who didn’t get nominated. I don’t envy you really, I had a b1tch of a time trying to pick my favourite albums since i think an album should be treated as a whole, and ideally should be better than the sum of it’s parts. Rather than 3 singles and some filler.
Without saying who you have left out, who do you think should have been on the list?
I think if you look at my albums of the year that would be pretty obvious.
http://www.nialler9.com/2008/12/22/nialler9s-top-30-albums-of-2008/
Don’t envy you Nialler, looks like the knives are out for the judges this year!
Didn’t know you were a Script fan 😉
Btw did you take my site of the blogroll? 🙁 Or am I completely blind….
Aoife, think I just lost your link in the server move. Back now!
No worries dude – I just noticed a good few people were visiting it from your site so it’s much appreciated that you have it up! 🙂
R.S.A.G. All the way .. numbers down its time to get up on the floor .. see you on the night !! love the blog nialler9 hope you make your hatrick you got my vote !! K
Urrrghhhh, fight like apes, annoying stupid shouty squawky woman and her outdated garage rockers can’t win…
And Oppenheimer were nice live, but not really leading the way in innovation or originality…
So Jape to win maybe? I really don’t know, and I’m not sure I care that much either unfortunately.
wow, tough call,
but my moneys on The Script too.
Good to see no weirdos on the list, they went mad last year, didn’t they.
Niall,
Just looked through the CD box now, everyone just wants to say thanks a million!
Cheers!
Vinny
Nice one Vinny! and the Kilo!