Thursday, February 5, 2009
Well, after trying my hand at nailing down my picks for winners in a few specific genres, it's time to talk about the categories that seems to bring them all together. Whether it's epic bands, platinum-selling rappers, soulful songbirds, peculiar collaborations or Disney kids, all are represented this year. And I'm giving you my final call before the Grammy Awards air on Feb. 8.
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
Who will win: Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
While Lil Wayne has the sales momentum on his side and Robert Plant and Allison Krauss have veteran status and a critically-acclaimed collaboration, my money's on Coldplay. The band's sonic departure and commercial succcess makes it the most musically diverse mainstream success and that should be enough to push them over the top in the minds of voters.
Who should win: Radiohead.
The pay-your-own-price stunt for the album may have been what got the album the most attention, but "In Rainbows" is one of their most audibly consistent and grounded in more real melodic instrumentation than electronic experimentation. Simply an amazing record from a band that finally deserves the big prize.
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"
Who will win: Coldplay "Viva La Vida"
Record usually implies production. So it's either down to T-Bone Burnett's production with Robert Plant and Allison Krauss or Brian Eno's work with Coldplay. Since "Viva La Vida" was a more popular record, I'll give it the edge.
Who should win: M.I.A. "Paper Planes"
It's one of the most unique sounding radio hits of the year, getting an added push with its inclusion in the "Pineapple Express" soundtrack. With the cock-and-fire of gunshots and childrens playground singing melding with M.I.A.'s one-of-a-kind flow and a sample by The Clash, it's hard to argue with the thumb print this record made.
Best New Artist
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan
Who will win: Jonas Brothers
To the delight of teenage girls and to the disdain of yours truly, I've got to go with the Disney kids. Duffy and Adele are a bit too similar and will split the vote while the trio of Mickey Mouse siblings popped up everywhere and had one of the best selling albums of the year.
Who should win: Adele
If the Grammy's weren't too afraid to repeat themselves two years in a row after already giving the award to an English female harkening back to American retro soul, Adele would get the award. With the ache of "Chasing Pavement," it's hard to argue against her being the new artist with the most ability to carve out a long career.
Song of the Year
"American Boy" - William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West)
"Chasing Pavements" - Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele)
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz)
"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles)
"Viva La Vida" - Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)
Who will win: "Chasing Pavements" - Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele)
Great song with strong vocals from a young artist that harkens back to a timeless sound. Sounds like a winner to me.
Who should win: "Love Song" - Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles)
The definition of an earworm, and I mean that as a compliment. A nice change of pace to hear a female pianist not afraid to hit the instrument and the song was catchy, accessible and...well, everywhere. That should count for something.