B Side Presents, "Stop...Grammy Time!"

As you all probably know, it's Grammy Award time. The nominees were announced the other day - so I wanted to take a day to contemplate who I want to win. Now, I'm not going to run through every single category - just the ones I feel most passionate about. Having listened to most of the music out there this year - I feel confident I can remain unbiased, and fair. Let's see how it goes. Also, give me your picks! We could have a bragging rights contest or something.

Song of the Year
'Beg, Steal or Borrow' -- Ray LaMontagne
'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo
'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

B Side Prediction: I think Eminem walks away with this one. The only big challenge would be Lady Antebellum. Both songs were huge - but the lyrical value and the video for 'Love The Way You Lie' will give it the edge.

Album of the Year
'The Suburbs' -- Arcade Fire
'Recovery' -- Eminem
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

B Side Prediction: I really enjoyed 'Suburbs' and 'Recovery'. 'Need You Now' also got favorable reviews by me. However, I think this one goes to Gaga. I think she proved she's here to stay with her sophomore drop, and she'll be rewarded by the committee.

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence and the Machine
Mumford and Sons
Esperanza Spalding

B Side Prediction: Why isn't B.o.B nominated for this? Drake has been around forever, and has no chance. I hope it goes to Mumford and Sons - but I have no doubt it'll be Bieber. Disgusting.

Record of the Year
'Nothing on You' -- B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna
'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo
'Empire State of Mind -- Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

B Side Prediction: This is a tough one. I'm not even 100% sure why this is called 'Record Of The Year' - but whatever. I think Jay-Z takes this one home though. I like all of these songs - and the fact they censored Cee-Lo's track makes me want him to win. But alas, Jay walks away victorious.

Best Pop Vocal Album
'My World 2.0' -- Justin Bieber
'I Dreamed a Dream' -- Susan Boyle
'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga
'Battle Studies' -- John Mayer
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

B Side Prediction: Can I claim apathy and not vote? Oh wait, I'm deciding that and I wrote this down. While I gave the edge to Gaga up top, I think this one will go to Boyle. Just a gut feeling. I don't think it merits the win - but people really like her and her story. I'm calling the upset.

Best Country Album
'Up on the Ridge' -- Dierks Bentley
'You Get What You Give' -- Zac Brown Band
'The Guitar Song' -- Jamey Johnson
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
'Revolution' -- Miranda Lambert

B Side Prediction: I don't have a ton of educated stuff to say here. I think Lady Antebellum crushes the opposition here.

Best Rock Song
'Angry World' -- Neil Young
'Little Lion Man' -- Mumford & Sons
'Radioactive' -- Kings Of Leon
'Resistance' -- Muse
'Tighten Up' -- The Black Keys

B Side Prediction: Please - for the love of Pete, please reward the Black Keys. They are still one of the best bands you're not listening to.

Best Rock Album
'Emotion & Commotion' -- Jeff Beck
'The Resistance' -- Muse
'Backspacer' -- Pearl Jam
'Mojo' -- Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
'Le Noise' -- Neil Young

B Side Prediction: What a lackluster listing this year. Muse probably walks away with this - but pretty much by default. The PJ album was really mediocre and so was Young and Petty. I like Jeff Beck, but he's too unknown to win it.

Best Rap Song
'Empire State Of Mind -- Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem & Rihanna
'Not Afraid -- Eminem
'Nothin' On You' -- B.o.B & Bruno Mars
'On To The Next One' --Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz

B Side Prediction: Well, given the nominees, Em has a really good shot at this one. Unfortunately, they didn't put a track like 'No Love' or something on that I think would cause him an immediate win. If you want me to go with straight up quality - it'll probably go to Jay and probably for Empire. 'On To The Next One' is probably the best song though.

Best Rap Album
'The Adventures of Bobby Ray' -- B.o.B
'Thank Me Later' -- Drake
'Recovery' -- Eminem
'The Blueprint 3' -- Jay-Z
'How I Got Over' -- The Roots

B Side Prediction: Seriously, if Em doesn't win this one - I'm quitting paying attention to the Grammys. It's the best Rap album by far. Jay could steal it, but Roots, Drake and BoB don't even sniff those two albums. Em gets 2 awards I think.


Let me know what ya'll think! What did I get right or wrong? What other categories to you have opinions on? Let me know!