It’s almost award season, and what better way to kick it off than a giant concert! That’s right, the Grammy Award nominations were presented last night (all five of them), and has shown a relatively strong year for alternative music. So what are we waiting for, let’s get right into the big four!
“Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young” by fun. feat. Janelle Monae
“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra
“Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
-This one is pretty tough, so let’s break it down. Although Taylor Swift got a nod, I don’t see her winning – that moment felt like they needed it for the show. The Black Keys are going to do well elsewhere, and doesn’t really need this one this year. The last four is where it gets difficult. Gotye barely got any nods this year, so winning this isn’t completely out of reach. And the dominance of the other three almost makes this an up-in-the-air category. I’m picking fun. for this one.
“The A Team” by Ed Sheeran
“Adorn” by Miguel
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young” by fun. feat. Janelle Monae
-Another tough one. As much as I want fun. to sweep this year, I don’t think that they will take this one. Ed Sheeran and Miguel aren’t big enough to get the award (not like it stopped any lower act before from winning). But it will really come down to Carly Rae and Kelly Clarkson. And for some reason, I think everyone else will be a tad bit embarrassed to vote Carly Rae, so I’m going with Kelly Clarkson here.
El Camino by The Black Keys
Some Nights by fun.
Babel by Mumford & Sons
Channel ORANGE by Frank Ocean
Blunderbuss by Jack White
It will be fun. versus Frank Ocean this year. They both have strong album, and I wish that both would win. But I will be giving Album Of The Year to fun. …only because…..
Alabama Shakes
fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean
…This is Frank Ocean’s award to win. Although fun. is also qualified (even though THEY ARE NOT NEW), this is Frank’s all the way.
Below is a list of other big awards of the night. You can check out the full list here, and some more of my choices below:
“Set Fire To The Rain [Live]” by Adele
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
“Wide Awake” by Katy Perry
“Where Have You Been” by Rihanna
“Shake It Out” by Florence + The Machine
“We Are Young” by fun. feat. Janelle Monae
“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra
“Sexy And I Know it” by LMFAO
“Payphone” by Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine
Some Nights by fun.
Overexposed by Maroon 5
The Truth About Love by Pink
“Levels” by Avicii
“Let’s Go” by Calvin Harris feat. Ne-Yo
“Bangarang” by Skrillex feat. Sirah
“Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin
“I Can’t Live Without You” by Al Walser
Wonderland by Steve Aoki
Don’t Think by The Chemical Brothers
> Album Title Goes Here < by Deadmau5
Fire & Ice by Kaskade
Bangarang by Skrillex
“Hold On” by Alabama Shakes
“Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys
“Charlie Brown” by Coldplay
“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons
“We Take Care Of Our Own” by Bruce Springsteen
“Freedom At 21” by Jack White
“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons
“Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys
“Madness” by Muse
“We Take Care Of Our Own” by Bruce Springsteen
El Camino by The Black Keys
Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay
The 2nd Law by Muse
Wrecking Ball by Bruse Springsteen
Blunderbuss by Jack White
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do by Fiona Apple
Biophilia by Bjork
Making Mirrors by Gotye
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming by M83
Bad As Me by Tom Waits
Fortune by Chris Brown
Kaleidoscope Dream by Miguel
Channel ORANGE by Frank Ocean
Take Care by Drake
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 by Lupe Fiasco
Life Is Good by Nas
Undun by The Roots
God Forgives, I Don’t by Rick Ross
Based On A T.R.U. Story by 2 Chainz
So who do you think will win? Leave your choices and below and continue the conversation here and over on Twitter Follow @AlanHST
Middle of the Row 
How does K. Dot’s “good kid, M.A.A.D city” not get nominated for best rap album and 2 Chainz is a nominee?! GKMC was one of the best rap albums created in the last few years. 2 Chainz is barely coherent in his rhymes and there is absolutely nothing new or with substance on his album. I understand that 2 Chainz fits a niche in hip-hop, but he does not really have talent and I guess I just don’t understand his appeal.