The shortlist for this year’s Choice Music Prize highlights a particularly strong year for Irish music. But as ever, the names that fail to make the list are as notable as those that did

SUCH WAS the strength of Irish albums in 2010 that narrowing the best to a list of 10, in any permutation, may seem a disservice, but the Choice Music Prize’s shortlist has brought obvious selections – and notable omissions.

Few international acts had a breakthrough year to outdo Villagers, as Conor O'Brien's softly sung, cathartic hymnals made for a startling debut in Becoming a Jackal.

Joining Villagers as potential favourites to win this year's Choice Music Prize are former nominee Cathy Davey and Imelda May, both of whom scored number ones with their third albums, The Namelessand Mayhemrespectively.

The inclusion of electro-pop trio Two Door Cinema Club’s Tourist History was well-deserved, as was the selection of Waterford’s O Emperor, who found accalim for their accomplished first album, Hither Thither.

Perhaps more surprising was the presence of former Choice nominee Fight Like Apes for their second album, The Body of Christ & The Legs of Tina Turner, which received a mixed response from critics.

The Choice shortlist also recognised a good year for The Cast of Cheers, who raised their profile through a string of spirited live shows and a self-titled album released as a free download. Meanwhile, Halves have been rewarded for the bold arrangements of I t Goes, It Goes (Forever & Ever), and James Vincent McMorrow's refined song writing and strained falsetto has seen Early in the Morningmake the list.

Yet the names that fail to make the award’s shortlist each year become such a talking point that the bands omitted seem to garner almost as much attention as the eventual winner. In the six years since its inception, the award’s eclectic and unpredictable selections have regularly sparked controversy.

This year, the exclusion of Solar Bears is likely to draw the most objections. The sci-fi ambience of their debut album She Was Coloured In, released through UK label Planet Mu, was one of the only Irish albums to have an impact outside the country by making inroads through the blogosphere and picking up favourable reviews from NMEand Pitchfork.

The Dublin/Wicklow duo year spearheaded an unprecedented crop of quality electronic acts that emerged in Ireland over the last year, such as notable absentees Belfast's Not Squares and Strands – Dublin producer Stephen Shannon – whose self-titled album crafted an immersive world of intricately layered compositions. Shit Robot, whose solid From the Cradle to the Raveincluded contributions from members of Hot Chip and LCD Soundsystem, also missed out.

Dublin label Richter Collective had six albums in the original long list of 271. Among them, Enemies' sprawling instrumental rock album We've Been Talkingand the power-pop of Jogging's Minuteswere two of the most frenetic Irish releases of last year.

However, Adebisi Shank are the only act on their roster to have made the shortlist and the trio will be hoping they have an outsider’s chance after being overlooked for inclusion in the award’s 2008 nominees for their debut.

The winning act will receive a prize of €10,000, provided by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (Imro) and the Irish Recorded Music Association (Irma).

The overall album of the year will be announced at the Choice Music Prize live event at Vicar Street in Dublin, on Thursday March 3rd, when the panel of 11 judges face the difficult task of deciding on which act stood out in what was a seminal year for Irish music. That much everyone can agree on.

Your say

A lot of you thought Solar Bears should have made it. No-one vouched for Boyzone. Here’s what you were saying on Jim Carroll’s On The Record blog

"Neither of my two favourite Irish albums of the year made it. Disappointed for them (Ham Sandwich and RSAG) but it isn't a bad list. Looks like they played it a little 'safe' in parts with say Imelda May and O Emperor – well known, big fanbase. Someone like Somadrone or Solar Bears could really have done with the exposure so disappointed, again, on that front, but can't point at any of them and say they have no right being there really. Hoping for James Vincent McMorrow to win it." – Kevin

"Pity Solar Bears didn't make it to the shortlist as it was very deserved of recognition. Esp when an album as awful as Fight Like Apes second offering has been included. I thought their first album was good for was it was – but to make it this time around astounded me." – Lisabrrrrr

"Two of my favourite 2010 records, those from Adebisi Shank and Villagers, are in there which is great. Both are moderately musically progressive in their own peculiar ways. If it's on merit of music alone I'd pass it to one of these two, probably the Shank for finding a new, unchartered headspace in instro-rock." – halandor

"The list feels like Choice meets the Meteors. I think Meteors puts the pressure on Choice to stay alternative and the loss of Meteors seems to be making this list very mainstream. The journalists/djs have nothing to rebel against . . . This is the first year that I know all of the artists mentioned. Usually there are one or two (or more) I hadn't come across yet." – Finola

"How many of those bands nominated are signed in some shape or form to a record company? I count 7. Should there have been a few more unsigned acts on this list? You know, help out the small guy? And Fight Like Apes.... what? RSAG / Ham Sandwich / Solar Bears: at least one of them should have been there." – Jean Jeanie

"Choice recognition for Adebisi Shank at last, they deserve it and I hope they win! Very surprised to see The Cast Of Cheers were shortlisted, great album that contributed to the sound of 2010 in a big way. Good luck to everyone nominated, I'd hoped for more surprises, I think it's a real shame that the fantastic electrofolk stylings of Solar Bears and Strands haven't been recognised, along with Groom and The Dinah Brand whose new albums are wonderful." – Naomi

• Jim's post and the full list of comments can be found at irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord