It really is impossible to predict the Grammys, which is both fascinating and frustrating. For every good step they take, like gushing over Mumford & Sons in consecutive years or giving major nods to Bon Iver; they skip out on Kanye’s redefining masterpiece for Album of the Year, while including Bruno Mars, who has done absolutely nothing to change the pop landscape. So here are your nominees. Those listed in bold are the ones I correctly picked.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
21, Adele
Wasting Light, Foo Fighters
Born This Way, Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops and Hooligans, Bruno Mars
Loud, Rihanna
What I missed: Though I was right early on in predicting it was Rihanna’s time. But I certainly wouldn’t have predicted she would be in this slot while Kanye West wouldn’t. Also surprising: Bruno Mars, not because the Academy isn’t fond of him, but because his album came out during the first week of this year’s eligibility period–all the way back in Oct. 2010. And Foo Fighters? Can’t I’m surprised, or super-thrilled. It’s… OK.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Rolling in the Deep,” Adele
“Holocene,” Bon Iver
“Grenade,” Bruno Mars
“The Cave,” Mumford & Sons
“Firework,” Katy Perry
What I missed: Katy Perry? Not shocking. But Bon Iver and Mumford & Sons? I’m surprised and delighted.
SONG OF THE YEAR
“All of the Lights,” Kanye West (written by Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West)
“The Cave,” Mumford & Sons (written by Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston)
“Grenade,” Bruno Mars (written by Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt)
“Holocene,” Bon Iver (written by Justin Vernon)
“Rolling in the Deep,” Adele (written by Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth)
What I missed: Certainly not the Kanye song I thought they’d nominate, but I’m happy about it all the same, along with the others I didn’t guess. The other two? Predictable, just like most awards.
BEST NEW ARTIST
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex
What I missed: Skrillex? Really?! I would have been happier with LMFAO.
BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Codes and Keys, Death Cab for Cutie
Torches, Foster the People
Circuital, My Morning Jacket
The King of Limbs, Radiohead
What I missed: Fleet Foxes and Wilco were both (correctly) considered to be other genres–folk and rock, respectively. I prefer the Decemberists’ latest to MMJ’s, but I can’t really complain about this slate.