The finalists have been named for the sixth Shortlist Music Prize [ tickets ], an honor that aims to help notable "left of center" groups cross over into the mainstream, according to organizers.

This year's finalists--pared down from 61 nominees selected earlier this year by a panel of musicians and journalists--are Band of Horses [ tickets ], Beirut, Bonnie Price Billy, Cat Power [ tickets ], Girl Talk, Hot Chip, Joanna Newsom [ tickets ], Regina Spektor, Spank Rock and Tom Waits [ tickets ].

The "Listmakers" panel for this year includes Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens, Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Panic! At the Disco, Franz Ferdinand, Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers and KT Tunstal, as well as journalists Toure and Rev. Moose.

The complete "Long List" is posted at Shortlist Prize's website. Albums released in 2006 that sold fewer than 500,000 copies were eligible for a nomination.

The first Shortlist Prize went to Sigur Ros in 2001. N.E.R.D., Damien Rice and TV on the Radio won in the years that followed.

The award took a yearlong hiatus in 2005 following a dispute between the Shortlist's two founding partners, Tom Sarig and Greg Spotts.