The 51st Annual Grammy Nomimees

The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Nominations List can be seen, here, however, I have posted a few of the main categories below. I really don't understand the process of selecting the nominees because some usually seem a little out there, however I have provided my picks with a star (*) and a brief explanation. With my (mainstream) knowledge/luck, none will probably win.


BEST NEW ARTIST

Adele *
Duffy
The Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

As little as I know of Adele, I hear her record is pretty good. I wasn't too impressed with Duffy's record, however The Jonas Brothers are pretty huge.


ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
Ne-Yo - Year Of The Gentleman
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Radiohead - In Rainbows *

I've never listened to Ne-Yo, but the rest are all pretty great. As much as I like Coldplay, there's no way they should beat out Radiohead.


POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS

Alicia Keys and John Mayer - "Lessons Learned"
Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland - "4 Minutes"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - "Rich Woman" *
Rihanna and Maroon 5 - "If I Never See Your Face Again"
Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown - "No Air"

I can't say I'm too familiar with any of these songs, but I do love the Plant/Krauss collaboration.


COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP

Brooks & Dunn - "God Must Be Busy"
Lady Antebellum - "Love Don't Love Here"
Rascal Flatts - "Every Day"
The Steel Drivers - "Blue Side Of The Mountain" *
Sugarland - "Stay"

Not really my thing, but The SteelDrivers seem to be good choice.


BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP

Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000 - "Royal Flush"
T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne - "Swagger Like Us"
Lil Wayne feat. Jay-Z - "Mr Carter" *
Ludacris feat. T.I. - "Wish You Would"
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West - "Put On"

Well both Lil Wayne and Kanye are HUGE, but then there's Jay-Z too, hmmm?


RECORD OF THE YEAR

Adele - "Chasing Pavements"
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida" *
Leona Lewis - "Bleeding Love"
M.I.A. - "Paper Planes"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - "Please Read The Letter"

All are pretty good, but I'd vote Coldplay.


SONG OF THE YEAR

Estelle feat. Kanye West - "American Boy"
Adele - "Chasing Pavements"
Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours"
Sara Bareilles - "Love Song"
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida" *

Not much to choose from here.


BEST ROCK SONG

Bruce Springsteen - "Girls In Their Summer Clothes"
Radiohead - "House Of Cards" *
Death Cab For Cutie - "I Will Possess Your Heart" *
Kings Of Leon - "Sex On Fire" *
Coldplay - "Violet Hill" *

Wow, tough one. All have a shot. Love Radiohead, but there are better songs than this one. Not a big fan of the Boss, but hey, he's the Boss. Death Cab is great, but remember this song is like 9 minutes long. Coldplay is good and even though I dislike the new KOL album, this songs is pretty good.


BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS

Coldplay - "Viva La Vida" *
The Eagles - "Waiting In The Weeds"
Gnarls Barkley - "Going On"
Maroon 5 - "Won't Go Home Without You"
OneRepublic - "Apologize"

I dig Gnarls, but Coldplay may have an advantage.


BEST ROCK ALBUM

Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus
Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Metallica - Death Magnetic
The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely *

Again, a little disappointed with KOL's latest. Kid Rock, are you kidding me and Metallica, yeah maybe 20 years ago. Coldplay, yes, they had Brian Eno and it was pretty good, but the new Raconteurs album is just fantastic.


BEST RAP ALBUM

Jay-Z - American Gangster
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III *
Lupe Fiasco - The Cool
Nas - Nas
T.I. - Paper Trail

Yes, Jay-Z is a legend, but Lil Wayne was a legend this year. I like Lupe, but don't think he has a chance.


BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

Beck - Modern Guilt *
Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs *
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple *
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges *
Radiohead - In Rainbows *

A very tough one, I love all. If Radiohead gets Album Of The Year, then I'd say Beck, however anything Jim James does is pretty great, Gibbard too.


BEST DANCE RECORDING

Daft Punk - "Harder Better Faster Stronger" *
Hot Chip - "Ready For The Floor" *
Lady Gaga - "Just Dance"
Madonna - "Give It 2 Me"
Rihanna - "Disturbia"
Sam Sparro - "Black & Gold"

Great Daft Punk tune, but didn't it come out years ago. I dig Hot Chip, however, the new album still needs to grow on me.


BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM

Brazilian Girls - New York City *
Daft Punk - Alive 2007
Cyndi Lauper - Bring Ya To The Brink
Kylie Minogue - X
Moby - Last Night
Robyn - Robyn

I used to like Daft Punk, but Brazilian Girls have been consistent and great.


BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS

AC/DC - "Rock N Roll Train"
Coldplay - "Violet Hill" *
The Eagles - "Long Road Out Of Eden"
Kings Of Leon - "Sex On Fire" *
Radiohead - "House Of Cards" *

AC/DC and the Eagles are legends, KOL and Coldplay are both great, but would be tough to beat out Radiohead.


PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Danger Mouse *
Nigel Godrich
Johnny Karkazis
Rick Rubin
will.i.am

Nigel and Rubin are well known, but Danger did a lovely job on the Black Keys and Beck.


BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA

Peter Gabriel - "Down To Earth" (From Wall-E)
Carrie Underwood - "Ever Ever After" (From Enchanted)
John Mayer - "Say" (From The Bucket List)
Amy Adams - "That's How You Know" (From Enchanted) *
John C. Reilly - "Walk Hard" (From Walk Hard — The Dewey Cox Story)

Don't know, but Amy Adams is pretty attractive.


BEST RECORDING PACKAGE

Metallica - Death Magnetic
Hawk Nelson - Hawk Nelson...Is My Friend!
No Age - Nouns *
Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation
The Ditty Bops - Summer Rains

Can't say I'm familiar with any of these packages, but No Age up for a Grammy, wow.


BEST REMIXED RECORDING, NON-CLASSICAL

Ne-Yo - "Closer" (StoneBridge Radio Edit)
MGMT - "Electric Feel" (Justice Remix) *
Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake - "4 Minutes" (Junkie XL Remix)
Mary J. Blige - "Just Fine" (Moto Blanco Remix)
Morgan Page feat. Lissie - "The Longest Road" (Deadmau5 Remix)

Not a big MGMT fan, but I dig Justice.


BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO

Erykah Badu - "Honey" (Erykah Badu & Mr. Roboto, video directors)
Gnarls Barkley - "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" (Christopher Milk, video director) *
Alicia Keys & Jack White - "Another Way To Die" (PR Brown & MK12, video directors) *
Radiohead - "House Of Cards" (James Frost, video director) *
Weezer - "Pork And Beans" (Mathew Cullen, video director) *

Another good one. All are worthy.