And The Nominees Are . . .

The 2012 Grammy Award Nominations were announced yesterday. So there is some good news but mostly, a lot of bad news. Let’s start with album of the year; the nominees are:
21 Adele
Wasting Light Foo Fighters
Born This Way Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops and Hooligans Bruno Mars
Loud Rihanna

I love Rihanna. I have most of her albums, including Loud. However, Grammy Award-Winning? I am not so sure. It is a fun and sexy album but I am not sure it is worthy of album of the year. Sadly, I feel like Adele will take this no matter what which takes the excitement out of guessing who will win. So, as great as it would be for Foo Fighter or my top choice, Gaga, to take this one, they don’t have a chance.

Best Record of the Year; the nominees are:

“Rolling In The Deep” Adele
“Holocene” Bon Iver
“Grenade” Bruno Mars
“The Cave” Mumford and Sons
“Firework” Katy Perry

“Firework?” Really? Has music come to this? Out of all 5 songs nominated, I believe this one is the one that does not belong. Oh, and didn’t “Grenade” come out 3 years ago? Or, do I just feel like I have been hearing it for that long? I feel Mumford and Sons should really take this one but sadly, I feel none of these nominees have a chance against Adele.

One treat out of this whole hot mess: Skrillex is nominated! In a few categories, actually. Their single, “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” is nominated for Best Dance Recording and the album is nominated for Best Dance/Electronica album. They are also nominated in the Best Remixed Recording (Non Classical) category for their “Cinema” remix. And, biggest news of all, they are nominated for Best New Artist! Now, even though I feel their album is over rated, I do like them as a movement; as an idea so if they could win Best New Artist, I would be ecstatic.

Especially because their opponents in that category are as follows: The Band Perry, J. Cole, Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj. So, The Band Perry is first of all, country, and second of all, they sing that song “If I Die Young.” You know that song that sounds like Taylor Swift and gets in your head and annoys you for the entire day? Yah, they are nominated. Then we have J. Cole who seems to have a background as a quality “featured” artist, and therefore, I am skeptical on how successful he can be as a solo artist.

Then we have Bon Iver. I actually have been hearing about Bon Iver for a while. Then I listened to a few songs and I realized . . . . oh, they are boring! So people must like Bon Iver to fall asleep to or maybe play before bedtime for their kids. I am not sure I get it. And then there is Nicki Minaj who I happen to adore and still love Pink Friday and cannot wait for her to drop another album in February of 2012. So, really, in my mind, there is competition between Skrillex and Nicki Minaj—collaboration idea, perhaps?!?!?!?

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance is a REAL disappointment. Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse “Body and Soul” is nominated, however, this is probably the 4th or 5th best song on that whole Duets album. There are a lot of better duets on that album that should have earned this spot, however, Winehouse passed away recently so I feel, no matter what, this song had to be nominated. “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People is also nominated which I am sure if radio and television had not completely smothered this song with relentless overplay, I would be fine with. But they did so I am not. And then there is “Moves Like Jagger” which is an abomination to music in general, but to be nominated, blasphemy! Coldplay and The Black Keys are also nominated in this category and I hope the Black Keys take it.

Best Rap Album is probably the only category that actually has a legitimate representation of the quality music in their genre. The nominees are:

Watch The Throne Kanye West and Jay-Z (or Jay-Z and Kanye West, whichever is your preference)
The Carter IV Lil Wayne
Lasers Lupe Fiasco
Pink Friday Nicki Minaj
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Kanye West

Watch The Throne was an under-rated album that got a lot of negative criticism so I am glad it up for nomination. Pink Friday I am obviously ecstatic about—Nicki is my girl! Kanye’s “Twisted Fantasy” was also a stellar album so really, any of those 3 albums winning is fine by me.

For the entire list of nominees, go to www.grammy.com/nominees.

Now, on a personal note . . .

In honor of the holiday season, I am hosting a virtual food drive for the Food Bank of New York City. I have set a goal for $400 by December 25th. I, like many people, often intend to do charitable things such as volunteer, or give money, but then life gets in the way and I do nothing. I thought this would be an easy and convenient way for people to give to those in need. The “Now Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding” Food Drive has officially begun. Please donate and help us reach our goal and be a part of something bigger than yourself. Thanks and happy holidays.

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