Klaxons Win Mercury Prize

Psychedelic rock group the Klaxons beat out British pop powerhouse Arctic Monkeys and troubled diva Amy Winehouse to win Britain’s Mercury Prize on Tuesday for their debut album, "Myths of the Near Future.”

The Klaxons were awarded the prestigious 20,000 pound (US$40,000; euro29,000) Nationwide Mercury Prize by a panel of judges who called their sound an "ecstatic musical adventure.”

Judges of the Mercury prize, which has honored the best album of the year by a British or Irish band since 1992, have a reputation for overlooking populist choices in favor of obscure artists. The honor is awarded on the basis of innovation, rather than commercial sales.

This year’s shortlist was a typically eclectic mix; including everyone from classical quintet Basquiat Strings to post-punk band The Young Knives.

Retro-soul singer Winehouse, whose success has been overshadowed by concerns over her well-being, was also in the running, and ended a run of cancellations by appearing a the ceremony.

The star drew a round of applause as she stepped to the stage to perform her new track, "Love Is A Losing Game.”

Previous winners include the Arctic Monkeys, London rapper Dizzee Rascal, Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand and Antony and the Johnsons, fronted by British-born but U.S.-raised Antony Hegarsty.