2008-2009 Grammy Nominations

Filled with a lot of predictable industry drek and some pleasant surprises (Phoenix, DCFC, Neko Case, MGMT, Ting Tings, and Silversun Pickups), the 52nd Annual Grammy nominations were announced last night in a nationally televised event. You can find the entire seemingly endless list over here; I’ve included the top categories and some of the more interesting ones below.

Album of The Year
I Am… Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé
The E.N.D. – The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame – Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King – Dave Matthews Band
Fearless – Taylor Swift

Record Of The Year
“Halo” – Beyoncé
“I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas
“Use Somebody” – Kings Of Leon
“Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
“You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift

Song Of The Year
“Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
“Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
“Single Ladies” (Put A Ring On It) – Beyoncé
“Use Somebody” – Kings Of Leon
“You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift

Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Best Alternative Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental)
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today – David Byrne & Brian Eno
The Open Door – Death Cab For Cutie
Sounds Of The Universe – Depeche Mode
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix
It’s Blitz! – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Best Contemporary Folk Album (Vocal or Instrumental)
Middle Cyclone – Neko Case
Our Bright Future – Tracy Chapman
Live – Shawn Colvin
Secret, Profane & Sugarcane – Elvis Costello
Townes – Steve Earle

Best Rock Album (Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal)
Black Ice – AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden – Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown – Green Day
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King – Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon – U2

Best Rap Album
Universal Mind Control – Common
Relapse – Eminem
R.O.O.T.S. – Flo Rida
The Ecstatic – Mos Def
The Renaissance – Q-Tip

Here’s a few quick thoughts on this year’s nominations:

• How was Taylor Swift not nominated for Best New Artist? Taylor Swift was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award in the category of “Best New Artist”, but lost to Amy Winehouse. – via Drake
• Why is this live album by Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton in competition for anything this year?
• Sure it wasn’t a great album, but didn’t No Line On The Horizon deserve to be nominated for “Album of the Year”?
• For that matter, shouldn’t Working On A Dream have been nominated for “Best Rock Album” ?
• Last but not least, shouldn’t Oracular Spectacular have received a nomination for “Best Alternative Album”?
• Given that they are on a major label, it’s kind of surprising that the Decemberists did not receive even one nod this year.
• Shawn Colvin put out a record in the past year, who knew?

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will take place on January 31, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.