The Australian Music Prize (The Amp) has today announced its shortlist of nine albums its judges consider to be the best of 2011. Akin to the Polaris Prize in Canada or the UK's Mercury Prize, the nine albums are in the running for a $30,000 cash prize thanks to PPCA and they are:

ABBE MAY - Design Desire
ADALITA - Adalita
BOY & BEAR - Moonfire
GOTYE - Making Mirrors
GURRUMUL - Rrakala
JACK LADDER & THE DREAMLANDERS - Hurtsville
THE JEZABELS - Prisoner
KIMBRA - Vows
THE MIDDLE EAST - I Want That You Are Always Happy

So how did this list come together? Artists from all genres of music were invited to submit their full length albums, and were judged on the strength of the album alone by a judging panel of 42 media, industry and artists.

Of the announcement, The Australian Music Prize Director Scott B. Murphy had this to say: “2011 was a big year for Australian artist album releases – The 7th Amp produced a long list twice as long as most of the previous prizes highlighting how many great albums were released in this country. It was tough on the judges – they had to spend their festive season listening to over 50 albums and making experienced judgments on each. It was tough to determine the top 9 of these and many artists – like The Panics, Oh Mercy and The Orbweavers - were very close to the final cut. Some of the other albums singled out by the judges were by: Skipping Girl Vinegar, Oscar & Martin, Ben Salter, Big Scary, Eagle & The Worm, Grace Woodroofe, Husky, Leader Cheetah, Phrase, Teeth & Tongue, Josh Pyke and Drapht. We congratulate all entrants for their efforts and especially the nine which are now shortlisted for The 7th Amp,”

“This year’s shortlist is as strong as we have ever seen and a wonderful reflection of the world-class albums released by our Australian artists in 2011,” says PPCA CEO Dan Rosen.

The winner will be announced on Thursday, March 8th, at a special lunchtime event in Sydney: 'Amped Up In Conversation'. The event includes sit down lunch, winner’s announcement and press conference featuring special international guest speaker, David Fricke from US Rolling Stone. Tickets will be available from February 6th, register your interest by email: info@australianmusicprize.com.au. Tickets will be prioritised for shortlisted artists, judges, patrons and sponsors/partners of The 7th Amp.