LONDON, UK  [Wednesday Jan.12.2005]  /WMQT.com/ -- Franz Ferdinand is kicking off 2005 with a bang. Yesterday, January 11, the Scottish alternative band earned five Brit Award nominations, more than any other artist. Franz Ferdinand received nominations for Best British Group, Best British Album and Breakthrough Act, among others.

Rock trio Muse earned four nominations including Best British Rock Act and Best British Live Act, while another British trio, Keane, received three nominations. Maroon 5 also earned three nominations, as did another American act, the Scissor Sisters. Not to be left out, Usher -- the reigning awards show king -- is up for International Male Solo Artist.

Celebrating its twenty-fifth year, the Brit Awards are Britain's version of the Grammy Awards, and this year's ceremony takes place February 9 in London. U2, Franz Ferdinand and the Scissor Sisters are scheduled to perform at the ceremony. U2 is nominated for Best International Group and Best International Album for "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb."

The 2005 Brit Awards nominees are:

British male solo artist:
Jamie Cullum
Lemar
Morrissey
The Streets
Will Young

British female solo artist:
Amy Winehouse
Jamelia
Joss Stone
Natasha Bedingfield
PJ Harvey

British group:
Franz Ferdinand
Kasabian
Keane
Muse
Snow Patrol

British album:
Franz Ferdinand, "Franz Ferdinand"
Keane, "Hopes and Fears"
Muse, "Absolution"
Snow Patrol, "Final Straw"
The Streets, "A Grand Don't Come for Free"

Best British single:
Band Aid 20, "Do They Know Its Christmas?"
Jamelia, "Thank You"
LMC vs U2, "Take Me to the Clouds Above"
Shapeshifters, "Lola's Theme"
Will Young, "Your Game"

British breakthrough act:
Franz Ferdinand
Joss Stone
Keane
Natasha Bedingfield
The Zutons

British urban act:
Dizzee Rascal
Jamelia
Joss Stone
Lemar
The Streets

British rock act:
Franz Ferdinand
Kasabian
Muse
Snow Patrol
The Libertines

British live act:
Franz Ferdinand
Jamie Cullum
Kasabian
Muse
The Libertines

Brits25: Best song award:
Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
Kate Bush, "Wuthering Heights"
Queen, "We Are the Champions"
Robbie Williams, "Angels"
Will Young, "Leave Right Now"

Pop act:
Avril Lavigne
Girls Aloud
Natasha Bedingfield
McFly
Westlife

International male solo artist:
Brian Wilson
Eminem
Kanye West
Tom Waits
Usher

International female solo artist:
Alicia Keys
Anastacia
Gwen Stefani
Kelis
Kylie Minogue

International group:
Green Day
Maroon 5
OutKast
Scissor Sisters
U2

International album:
Killers, "Hot Fuss"
Maroon 5, "Songs About Jane"
OutKast, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below"
Scissor Sisters, "Scissor Sisters"
U2, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb"

International breakthrough act:
Jet
Kanye West
Killers
Maroon 5
Scissor Sisters

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