By Rashod D. Ollison , rashod.ollison@baltsun.com|February 08, 2009
The music industry certainly felt the sting of a spiraling economy last year, as CD sales dropped more than 20 percent. But that seemingly had no direct effect on the creative side: Mainstream pop still managed to produce some daring and creative music.
Sure, not all of it made the upper reaches of Billboard's pop charts. But, unlike previous years, the Recording Academy seems to have paid closer attention to some of the fresher sounds. Nominations in the top Grammy categories are an interesting mix of artists with reliable commercial success (even in a bad economy) and relative newcomers who garnered critical praise, if not big sales. Here are my picks of those who may win and those who should.
Record of the Year
"Chasing Pavements," Adele
"Viva La Vida," Coldplay
"Bleeding Love," Leona Lewis
"Paper Planes," M.I.A.
"Please Read the Letter," Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Will win: "Viva La Vida." It isn't the best song here, but the soaring number is easily one of Coldplay's better cuts. Its snobbery-free artfulness (a refreshing break from the band's usual approach) is smartly streamlined in a pop-savvy production - just the kind of thing the academy usually loves.
Should win: "Paper Planes." The song is catchy and ingenious in the way it uses the sounds of gunshots and ringing cash registers.
Album of the Year
Viva La Vida, Or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
Tha Carter III, Lil' Wayne
Year of the Gentleman, Ne-Yo
Raising Sand, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
In Rainbows, Radiohead
Will win: This is usually a tricky category where the perceived artistic quality of an album will sometimes trump the blockbusters. (Herbie Hancock surprisingly walked away with the award last year.) But tonight, it may be a tossup between In Rainbows and Raising Sand.
Should win: In Rainbows. Each nominated album glimmered with moments of greatness. But In Rainbows, which the band brilliantly sold and marketed itself, is the most consistent effort in the category - braiding strong song craft with mind-expanding musical layers.
Song of the Year
(awarded to the songwriter[s])
"American Boy," Estelle, featuring Kanye West
"Chasing Pavements," Adele
"I'm Yours," Jason Mraz
"Love Song," Sara Bareilles
"Viva La Vida," Coldplay
