Pitchfork

Mere hours ago, we reported that the beloved Shortlist Music Prize has been cancelled for 2005 due to disagreements between its founders. Feel free to scroll down three stories for a refresher.

Up to speed? Excellent. Now, Tom Sarig, one half of the Shortlist team, has just revealed to Pitchfork the exclusive details of his schismatic Shortlist-esque brainchild, the New Pantheon Awards.

First of all, the Shortlist Music Prize is definitely kaput, forever. But don't cry: the Pantheons, as we'll henceforth affectionately deem them (because New Panties just isn't something we want to associate with Elton John), will operate much like Shortlist did, with a panel comprised of celebrities and journalists (known to celebrify one another), each submitting seven nominations for album of the year. The albums must have sold less than 500,000 copies in the U.S., and have been released within the past fourteen months. This lengthy list, which will be announced in the coming weeks, will then be whittled down to several finalists come mid-December, from whom thee holy panelists shalt most duly chooseth a winner.

The Pantheons will feature approximately 30 nominators (up ten from last year's Shortlist crew), featuring an increased journalist quota and more diverse personalities. To this end, Sarig has brought on several wild cards, including country megastar Keith Urban and the aforementioned Sir Elton. The nearly complete panel roster also includes Ric Ocasek of the Cars, Amir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots, actor/hobbit Elijah Wood, comedienne Margaret Cho, Death Cab cutie Ben Gibbard, Garbage's Shirley Manson, neo-soul singer John Legend, "Tom's Diner" chanteuse Suzanne Vega, dorm poster-boy Dave Matthews, no-epithet-necessary Beck, and the honorary control group, Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park fame.

Drawing inspiration from film's Independent Spirit Awards, Sarig plans to hold the prize ceremony and celebratory concert in Los Angeles just before the Grammys, a time when "major celebrities and other industry folks" descend upon the region. This tentatively means February 5 or 6, with the Grammys taking place February 8-- a second substantial change from the Shortlist, whose grand finale traditionally went down in the latter quarter of the year. With Grammy fever peaking, Sarig hopes to make a "bigger deal" of the New Pantheon Awards, affording Hollywood's elite the chance to experience "the TV on the Radios of the world." Amen, brother.

Sarig is still in the process of enlisting journalists; the only confirmation thus far is Steve Hockman of the Los Angeles Times. Whether any Pitchforkers make the prestigious cut remains to be seen. (Hint, hint...)