Elbow win Mercury Music Prize

Elbow's triumph at the Mercury Music Prize, for Album of the Year, has made our week at Manchester Confidential – and to think they finally came good just before the world ended.

We saw Guy Garvey in the pub last week. He was preparing for the awards by practising his 'I'm really pleased for you' look when the camera zooms in on the losers' faces.

We saw Guy Garvey in the pub last week. He was preparing for the awards by practising his 'I'm really pleased for you, honest' look when the camera zooms in on the losers' faces. Happily, the only look he needed was his, 'Bloody hell, we won it!' one. And if ever a band deserved to get a high-profile prize like this, it's Elbow.

Formed in Bury in 1990, this five-piece has always attracted critical acclaim and a following of devoted fans, but has never quite secured mainstream success. The recognition brought by the Mercury could change that. Especially as it comes midway through a great year that has brought them hit singles, 'Grounds for Divorce' and 'One Day Like This' and a much admired performance at Glastonbury. Their album The Seldom Seen Kid is a stunning piece of music that took two years to realise – with events including the death of a friend making its completion something of a struggle through adversity. It was recorded in Salford's Blueprint.

This is the second time that Elbow have been nominated for the Mercury. Their début album Asleep in the Back made the short-list in 2001. Seven years later, the judges have finally given them the recognition they deserve.