ENGLAND II: The Brit Awards, Britain’s equivalent...

ENGLAND II: The Brit Awards, Britain’s equivalent of the Grammys, has had its share of abuse from critics who claim the awards competition has suffered from extreme conservatism (such safe, mainstream artists as Phil Collins typically dominated the awards) and from allegations of vote-rigging by the major record companies.

So the sponsors of the awards have begun taking steps to try to open up the process. In 1994, the voting panel was expanded to include the music press, record dealers, music publishers, producers and concert promoters. The result: a more contemporary roster of winners, with Bjork and Stereo MC’s picking up two trophies each.

This year’s nominees show even more evidence of a contemporary focus. The much-admired young band Blur leads the way with five nominations, including two for best single (“Girls & Boys” and “Parklife”). Touted new acts Oasis and Eternal are right behind, with four nominations each.

The nominations also provided more evidence of the resurgence of home-grown music, with rapper Warren G and rockers Counting Crows the only U.S. acts nominated in more than one category. The Crows are one of the acts in the best international group section, running against Ireland’s Cranberries, Canada’s Crash Test Dummies and fellow U.S. bands R.E.M. and Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

The Brit Awards will be given out Feb. 20.