GRAMMYS 2013 - SHORTLIST - ALBUM OF THE YEAR
AND WE COME TO THE END. FINALLY.
Album of the Year is the biggest award, and there are so many CDs that came out this year that could be nominated! Apparently, there were 756 albums on the Grammy voter’s voting lists (not EVERY SINGLE album that came out is going to get an equal chance at a nomination), so how do you even begin whittling that down?
Start by looking at what the critics loved best this year, and also what sold the most. Usually the nominees fit into one category or the other, with your best guesses fitting into both. So, that’s how I went about making my picks. Are they going to be correct? Some of them, probably. Will there be something thrown in there that I never would have guessed? Sure, but that always happens.
I chose a few titles that I am really quite sure of, and the rest, well, I don’t feel as strongly about them, but all we can do is guess.
Here’s what I’m “sure” of:
Drake – ‘Take Care’
Black Keys – ‘El Camino’
Mumford & Sons – ‘Babel’
Frank Ocean – ‘Channel Orange’
Drake hasn’t won a Grammy yet, and neither have Mumford & Sons. These two are overdue for awards, and this will be their year. If not for the big trophy, than for their respective categories. The Black Keys won for their last album, ‘Brothers’, and they might make a repeat this year. Some of the songs off of ‘El Camino’ – most notably “Lonely Boy” – might also make appearances on some nomination lists. And Frank Ocean. Well, Frank Ocean couldn’t really have more going for him if he tried.
And now my guesses:
Florence + the Machine – ‘Ceremonials’
Coldplay – ‘Mylo Xyloto’
Lionel Richie – ‘Tuskegee’
Ed Sheeran – ‘+’
Fiona Apple – ‘The Idler Wheel…’
Rihanna – ‘Talk That Talk’
Miranda Lambert – ‘Four The Record’
I REALLYYY wanted to put Florence + the Machine up in the “sure” category, but I know it isn’t true. ‘Ceremonials’ deserves at least some recognition, if not an award (or two). The album was stunning, and I don’t think a single critic disliked it.
Coldplay is a favorite of the Grammys, but ‘Mylo Xyloto’ wasn’t their biggest album. Plus, critics already feel satiated knowing that two songs from the CD – “Paradise” and “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” – were nominated last year.
Miranda Lambert is also a favorite, and she is a great way to throw a country name into the mix. The only thing getting in her way? Lionel Richie. Not only is Lionel a long-time favorite of Grammy voters (who tend to be older anyways), but this was his big comeback! After seemingly disappearing, ‘Tuskegee’ made it to the top of the Billboard 200 – and with a country album! This will surely get a nomination somewhere, don’t worry.
Rihanna is probably at the head of the pack if they want a token pop record that had big smash hits on it. ‘Talk That Talk’ had the worldwide #1 “We Found Love (ft. Calvin Harris)”, which is actually ineligible, due to when it was released (and they missed out on it last year). This could be a way to rectify that wrong.
I would love to see this year be one of the first where pop is left out of the Album of the Year category entirely. Don’t get me wrong, I love pop music more than anything in the world, but I think it would be so amazing to see how the world reacts. Last year it was all pop – Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and Adele – but this year, we may actually get to see a top prize where no pop albums are competing. Whoa.
The nominations will be announced tonight on CBS in a lovely ceremony hosted by LL Cool J and Taylor Swift. Let's all tune in and watch!
Album of the Year is the biggest award, and there are so many CDs that came out this year that could be nominated! Apparently, there were 756 albums on the Grammy voter’s voting lists (not EVERY SINGLE album that came out is going to get an equal chance at a nomination), so how do you even begin whittling that down?
Start by looking at what the critics loved best this year, and also what sold the most. Usually the nominees fit into one category or the other, with your best guesses fitting into both. So, that’s how I went about making my picks. Are they going to be correct? Some of them, probably. Will there be something thrown in there that I never would have guessed? Sure, but that always happens.
I chose a few titles that I am really quite sure of, and the rest, well, I don’t feel as strongly about them, but all we can do is guess.
Here’s what I’m “sure” of:
Drake – ‘Take Care’
Black Keys – ‘El Camino’
Mumford & Sons – ‘Babel’
Frank Ocean – ‘Channel Orange’
Drake hasn’t won a Grammy yet, and neither have Mumford & Sons. These two are overdue for awards, and this will be their year. If not for the big trophy, than for their respective categories. The Black Keys won for their last album, ‘Brothers’, and they might make a repeat this year. Some of the songs off of ‘El Camino’ – most notably “Lonely Boy” – might also make appearances on some nomination lists. And Frank Ocean. Well, Frank Ocean couldn’t really have more going for him if he tried.
And now my guesses:
Florence + the Machine – ‘Ceremonials’
Coldplay – ‘Mylo Xyloto’
Lionel Richie – ‘Tuskegee’
Ed Sheeran – ‘+’
Fiona Apple – ‘The Idler Wheel…’
Rihanna – ‘Talk That Talk’
Miranda Lambert – ‘Four The Record’
I REALLYYY wanted to put Florence + the Machine up in the “sure” category, but I know it isn’t true. ‘Ceremonials’ deserves at least some recognition, if not an award (or two). The album was stunning, and I don’t think a single critic disliked it.
Coldplay is a favorite of the Grammys, but ‘Mylo Xyloto’ wasn’t their biggest album. Plus, critics already feel satiated knowing that two songs from the CD – “Paradise” and “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” – were nominated last year.
Miranda Lambert is also a favorite, and she is a great way to throw a country name into the mix. The only thing getting in her way? Lionel Richie. Not only is Lionel a long-time favorite of Grammy voters (who tend to be older anyways), but this was his big comeback! After seemingly disappearing, ‘Tuskegee’ made it to the top of the Billboard 200 – and with a country album! This will surely get a nomination somewhere, don’t worry.
Rihanna is probably at the head of the pack if they want a token pop record that had big smash hits on it. ‘Talk That Talk’ had the worldwide #1 “We Found Love (ft. Calvin Harris)”, which is actually ineligible, due to when it was released (and they missed out on it last year). This could be a way to rectify that wrong.
I would love to see this year be one of the first where pop is left out of the Album of the Year category entirely. Don’t get me wrong, I love pop music more than anything in the world, but I think it would be so amazing to see how the world reacts. Last year it was all pop – Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and Adele – but this year, we may actually get to see a top prize where no pop albums are competing. Whoa.
The nominations will be announced tonight on CBS in a lovely ceremony hosted by LL Cool J and Taylor Swift. Let's all tune in and watch!