The 2018 Grammy nominations are coming on Tuesday. Which collections will be nominated for Album of the Year? Here’s an idea:
Ed Sheeran’s “Divide” will be nominated not only for Best Album, but Best Song, Best Record, Best Male Pop Vocal. He could win all of them. “Divide” is the big hit of this Grammy year. All of it is Sheeran’s to lose.
Lady Gaga’s “Joanne” came out right at the beginning of eligibility last year. It didn’t make much noise despite how good it was. Then Gaga played the Super Bowl and there was mayhem. “Million Reasons” is certainly a Best Song/Best Record combo. Gaga should get an Album of the Year nomination. She deserves it.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Damn” was the rap hit of the year. Album of the Year, with all of his tracks top the Streaming chart last April. That’s an accomplishment that shouldn’t be ignored.
Kesha’s “Rainbow” is a likely Album of the Year candidate, especially since it was her persistence that kicked open the door for women who felt harassed or otherwise abused. Plus, the songs– including “Praying,” her big hit– are excellent. Kesha poses the biggest threat to Ed Sheeran.
And then something from the country world. Miranda Lambert’s “Weight of these Wings” would be a good choice. So would Chris Stapleton’s “From a Room, Volume 1.”
As for R&B, Bruno Mars had the biggest hit of the year with “24K Magic.” Lots of hits, and wouldn’t it be swell to have him perform on the Grammys?
This was not the greatest year in music. The big build up to Harry Styles’ album was a bit of a disappointment considering several of the songs sounded like they were lifted from 70s tunes. Very weird. Styles acquitted himself in the movie “Dunkirk” so it all worked out. I’m sure “Sign of the Tunes” will get him into Best Pop Male Vocal.
But no album this year had a real vision. I’m not sure that any album has had that in two decades. What we’d give for a real masterpiece in pop, rock, soul, rap, country– anything. The Grammy nominations have always been a mystery to me. I’m sure on the 28th we will all have a long list of WTH’s.
