Grammy Sweep 2013: The Rock Side...

On today's second "Grammy Sweep", here's who up for awards in the rock field...

Best Rock Album:

The Black Keys - El Camino

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Muse - The 2nd Law

Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

Jack White - Blunderbuss

A very strong field here, with Coldplay and Bruce the biggest "names". There was one big rock album this year - Mumford & Sons, and it's not here, so it's a toss.

Who I would like to win: Muse, for their victory over Coldplay in the furthering themselves dept.
Who will probably win: Bruce.


Best Rock Performance:

Alabama Shakes - "Hold On"

The Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"

Coldplay - "Charlie Brown"

Mumford & Sons - "I Will Wait"

Bruce Springsteen - "We Take Care Of Our Own"

   Mumford & Sons do manage a spot here, but Bruce will probably be unstoppable...

Who I think should win: Alabama Shakes (for merit) or Mumford (for impact)
Who probably will win: Bruce.

Best Rock Song:

Jack White - "Freedom At 21"

Mumford & Sons - "I Will Wait"

Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"

Muse - "Madness"

Bruce Springsteen - "We Take Care Of Our Own"

What's the difference now between the best rock "song" and the best rock "performance"? Ah, yes, probably to give Mumford and Bruce each one

Who I think should win: Mumford & Sons.
Who probably will win: Mumford & Sons. 


Best Alternative Music Album:

Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel...

Bjork - Biophilia

Gotye - Making Mirrors

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

Tom Waits - Bad As Me

It must be difficult to figure what just is alternative these days, but these all fit nicely, though Gotye's a little more on the "pop" side, just as Tom Waits fits the "he's still around?" slot.

Who I would like to win: Bjork's wildly expansive set.
Who probably will win: most likely Gotye.


Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance:

Anthrax - "I'm Alive"

Halestrom - "Love Bites (So Do I)"

Iron Maiden - "Blood Brothers"

Lamb Of God - "Ghost Walking"

Marilyn Manson - "No Reflection"

Megadeth - "Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)"

Since hard rock and metal was huge this year, the idea of combining hard rock and metal and filling it with dinosaurs with B-level work is really insulting. Even not as a big fan of this genre, I recognize these guys got shortchanged compared to EDM (though at least no shenanigan, just big-name rec voting)...

Who I think should win: Halestorm.
Who probably will win: Iron Maiden. (this year's Jethro Tull)

That does it for the rock side of the awards...when I come back it'll be the R&B side of the place..