I don't live in the UK, but I definitely am familiar with all artists I see that were nominated for the Mercury Prize.

I will say that I would have The xx in my top five.

I will not say that theirs was my favorite of the albums on the list, however. I would have picked Mumford and Sons, Corinne Bailey Rae, or Villagers, personally.

Astoundingly I haven't listened to any album from the other nominees, but I really enjoyed the XX. (Aside: I saw them live a couple of months ago and they put on a very powerful, intimate performance)

You obviously havent heard the Villagers debut then. That album should have won in my opinion.

Forgot it was nominated :) it's a good album.

The xx's debut actually didn't do much for me at first. But after several listens I became hooked to the sheer simplicity of their music. Compared to Mumford and Sons, who I don't mind, but lack in the technical shine - and this is what the Mecury prize strives for.

Personally I would of gone with Mumford and Sons, or maybe Villagers.

That being said I really like the xx's album but I'm still not convinced it/they will be something I'll listen to for too long, depending on their next release.

I agree, I don't think anything they will publish can be as good as their debut while still keeping the same style and tone. The downside of this simplicity is that there is only so much you can do with it before repeating yourself, and the first album already has songs that sound very much alike.