Record of the Year
This year’s nominations are all decent songs, but follow the trend of being overplayed.,There’s more to this year’s Grammys than just to see Sting “de do do do, de da da da” his way through a Police reunion. Check out The Beacon’s picks for the big awards before the show on Sunday night (8 p.m. on CBS).
Record of the Year
This year’s nominations are all decent songs, but follow the trend of being overplayed. “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley deserves this award, and will probably win. Record of the Year honors a song’s enitre production, so producer Danger Mouse (half of Danger Mouse, with Cee-Lo needs to win a Grammy for this song. Other noms like “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt, Dixie Chicks’ powerhouse “Not Ready to Make Nice” and Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” were the kind of songs that were okay the first hundred times you heard them. Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On” was a good summer song, but won’t win. Hopefully she’ll keep releasing good songs in the future and not fade into obscurity.
Album of the Year
The album of the year nominees include Taking the Long Way by the Dixie Chicks, St. Elsewhere by Gnarls Barkley, Continuum by John Mayer, Stadium Arcadium by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and FutureSex/LoveSounds by Justin Timberlake. It seems that this year Stadium Arcadium will win. As much as John Mayer should win for bravely straying from his pop sound and diving into soul and blues on Continuum, The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been around since the ’80s, and, with Stadium Arcadium, continue to prove they’re not going anywhere. They turn out new sounds without leaving us devoid of their renowned “red hot” style.
Song of the Year
This is difficult to choose. Everyone can agree that hearing “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt one more time will make us seriously consider hurting the guy. However, just because it is played out by every radio station doesn’t mean it’s a bad song; in fact, it’s lyrically and melodically beautiful. Mary J. Blige is nominated for “Be Without You,” a great RB song that could pose a threat to the other nominees in this category. However, The Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice” is “country with an edge,” something we do not see often from country stars like Carrie Underwood, who also happens to be nominated for the bland “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” The Dixie Chicks will take the Grammy because of this. Last but not least, and the artist who should get the Grammy, is indie artist Corinne Bailey Rae with “Put Your Records On”. This song is peppy enough to be upbeat, but smooth enough to be mellow. Her voice is silky and strong, and she’s a great new artist with a memorable song.
Best New Artist
It’s odd to see Imogen Heap nominated here: her first album was released in 1998, which seems a little out of the time range to be nominated Best New Artist. She’s nominated alongside “American Idol” winner Carrie Underwood. There is no way Chris Brown will win, as he sounds too much like every other RB/rap artist. James Blunt deserves props for changing his last name from “Blount,” but he still won’t get the win. It’s too close to call between Corinne Bailey Rae or Underwood-will the one with the talent or the one with “Idol” on her r