2004. Franz Ferdinand, 'Franz Ferdinand'
Who were they? Glaswegian art-rockers Franz Ferdinand spearheaded the post-punk revival scene with fantastic debut single 'Take Me Out' and a short album of angular, indie hits. Literally anything off the record could've been released.
Was it an entirely outrageous choice? It's a lovely album and a perfect introduction to '00s British indie. The tides were turning in British music, and Franz represented this, certainly over other nominees Keane, Snow Patrol and The Zutons. The Streets' 'A Grand Don't Come For Free' could be argued as a contender, and Basement Jaxx's 'Kish Kash' is genuinely one of the best British dance albums of the decade, but you can't fault the panel for wanting to take the Prize in a different direction.
What have they done since? 'You Could Have Had It So Much Better' was an aptly-titled, rush-released sophomore with more depth, a couple of cracking tunes and a lot of rehash. 2009's 'Tonight' was a dub-influenced departure that sunk in the memory pretty quickly, and 'Right Words, Right Thought, Right Action' is a return to the indie that the band made their name with. A headlining slot at Reading Festival seems lightyears away now, but at least they're not the Kaiser Chiefs.