Mercury prize 2009 nominees

Florence Welch proved she could survive the early hype after her debut album Lungs became a No 1 hit. If she wins, expect a typically bonkers acceptance speech.

Odds: 11/4

The Observer said: Despite its dark heart, there's a real joy about this debut Photograph: Jo Hale/Getty Images

The Horrors are a band who have turned the difficult second album syndrome on its head, earning high praise for their sophomore effort Primary Colours.

Odds: 6/1

The Guardian said: Who could have guessed they would metabolise their influences with such bold panache? Photograph: Alex Sudea/Rex Features

Natasha Khan of Bat for Lashes adopted the persona of Pearl, a blonde femme fatale, for her dreamy second album, Two Suns. But if she wins, who will she send to accept the prize?

Odds: 5/1

The Observer said: Khan is a fantastic package and a good, if not as maverick as some believe, songwriter Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Recognition for Friendly Fires has been slow, but suddenly it seems everyone loves their exotic, club-friendly pop.

Odds: 15/2

The Guardian said: Every track pulses and clatters around an electronic heart and almost never excedes three minutes Photograph: Geoffrey Robinson/Rex Features

Moody Scottish rockers Glasvegas receive a nod for their self-titled debut, ranked by numerous critics as one of the best albums of last year.

Odds: 14/1

The Guardian said: James Allan is a fantastic songwriter, willing to tackle tough topics, armed with good tunes, balancing fervour with subtlety Photograph: NBCUPhotobank/Rex Features

Kasabian are the band some love to hate but many just love to love. The quartet say their third album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, pushes musical boundaries, so it will be interesting to see whether they've pushed them enough to please the judging panel.

Odds: 14/1

The Guardian said: There are experiments with Bollywood strings, krautrock rhythms and Ennio Morricone spaghetti-western soundtracks Photograph: James Perou/Rex Features

La Roux are synth-pop duo Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid. They had a No 1 single with Bulletproof, but their album was held off the top spot by Michael Jackson's chart resurrection in June.

Odds: 9/1

The Guardian said: Make no mistake, La Roux is a female solo synth star in waiting Photograph: Danny Martindale/WireImage.com/Getty

Jazz group Led Bib are hardly a name on everyone's lips, but upsets are always possible at the Mercury prize. Their nomination is for their fourth album, Sensible Shoes.

Odds: 33/1

The Guardian said: This infectiously witty group mostly sound like a gale of fresh air Photograph: PR

Folk singer Lisa Hannigan has been nominated for a various awards in her native Ireland, but can her debut album Sea Sew clinch a Mercury?

Odds: 7/1

The Guardian said: The folk singer's eerily beautiful Sea Sew has gone platinum in her native Ireland Photograph: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

South London rapper Speech Debelle combined freestyle jazz, hip-hop and lyrics about a troubled past for debut album Speech Therapy.

Odds: 5/1

The Guardian said: Craftily produced and, on songs like Spinning, quite beautiful Photograph: PR

Another of the lesser-knowns, although we've been tipping them since January. The Invisible blend experimental R&B with pop and jazz on their eponymous debut album, released in March.

Odds: 33/1

The Guardian said: For every quirky bassline or electronic tweak, there's a whopping great pop hook Photograph: Tom Watkins/Rex Features

Folk trio Sweet Billy Pilgrim are nominated for their album Twice Born Men, making up the full contingent of "Who?" bands.

Odds: 25/1

The Guardian said: Sweet Billy Pilgrim help make up the more leftfield nominations Photograph: Public Domain