His 'n' Hers was nominated for the prestigious award. Ultimately it came a narrow second. The panel was split down the middle between Pulp and M People's Elegant Slumming. The chairman's deciding vote eventually gave the award to M People.

The shortlist of nominees:

• Pulp – His 'n' Hers
• Blur – Parklife
• M People – Elegant Slumming
• Ian McNabb – Head Like A Rock
• Shara Nelson – What Silence Knows
• Michael Nyman – The Piano Concerto and MGV
• The Prodigy – Music for the Jilted Generation
• Take That – Everything Changes
• Therapy? – Troublegum
• Paul Weller – Wild Wood