Well done to Elbow - a brilliant and local band - who have won this years Mercury Prize!
Have a listen to their current album - Seldom Seen Kid - but I would also advise a trawl through their back catalogue. Don't worry, it won't take too long, there's only three: Asleep in the Back, A Cast of Thousands and Leaders of the Free World. They take their time over them (Asleep was the first in 1992 - they produce an album every 4 years on average), which is good, because each one is finely crafted, innovative and heartfelt.
Seldom Seen Kid has a couple of love songs that will make you want to fall in love all over again, just so they can be 'your song' (one day like this, mirrorball) a heartbroken but warm lament for a friend (friends of ours), and a funny and clever duet (the fix), which is 4 more great songs than some artists ever achieve, but all the other songs on the album are superb too. Some grow on you (starlings, weather to fly), some are instantly addictive (the bones of you, seldom seen kid), some sneak up behind you and, Bam (some riot).
The music is brilliant (those tunes will become ear worms before you know it), but the musicianship is startling good as well (if you are used to the shambolic cack that passes for pop, Babyshambles, Estelle par exemple, this will be something of a revelation). Guy Garvey's lyrics are top banana, and so is his warm, earthy, able voice.
(by the way, if you like his voice, he's on the radio as well - Guy Garveys finest hour on Six Music - rambling chat and top sounds)
So if you want to give your ears a treat, and you haven't bought Seldom Seen Kid yet, go, now, by it! You won't be dissappointed. I promise.
(Asleep in the Back might be worth your investment too - 'Red' is simply superb)