2008 Grammys: Kanye should get his trophy

Kanye West makes a record and he receives at least eight nominations.

That's what the Grammy Awards have taught us so far, as "Graduation" is his third-straight release to be up for Album of the Year, and second-straight to receive at least eight nominations. His first, "College Dropout," earned 10.

But while those two releases have been shut out of winning the top prize, expect different results come Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.

The nominees for Album of Year are head-scratchingly odd this year, with a tepid Foo Fighters record in the running against a Herbie Hancock album that pays tribute to Joni Mitchell. Amy Winehouse's throw-back album "Back to Black" was expected to be nominated, but Vince Gill's four-disc "These Days" was perhaps an underdog.

Nevertheless, it all means that West should finally have a clear path to his much-deserved Album of the Year trophy. Speculation in the past has been that West wouldn't win because he shoots off his mouth, but part of West's charm is that we see an artist unfiltered, and one who isn't afraid the next day to correct himself. Never mind the fact that "Graduation" is by far the most exciting album of the bunch, mixing in unexpected samples with West's continued coming-of-age tales.

Of course, the Grammys have disappointed us all before (Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" over Green Day's "American Idiot," anyone?), so perhaps Hancock will coast to victory.

Some other quick thoughts before passing out and reporting on Fall Out Boy and Fergie at the Recording Academy/People Magazine's kick-off party:

One more thing on Album of the Year: Oh, 2004, was it really that far back? Three years ago, it seemed like the Grammys were finally --- finally -- getting on track, mixing in smart, complex albums with the populist favorites. Remember? OutKast, the White Stripes, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott were all nominated? Good enough to make everyone forget Evanescence was also recognized.

But things soon regressed. Last year was discussed already, with Timberlake and Gnarls Barkley fighting off John Mayer, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Dixie Chicks.

This year is marginally better, loaded with respected artists, but nothing that's really daring. Although the inclusion of the Foo Fighters' "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" is a bit of a surprise. It's one of the group's lesser offerings, with forced-sounding detours into country and Southern rock and laughable ballads.

So where is the great music? Plenty of quality stuff is recognized in the 2008 edition of the Grammys, and we'll highlight much of what the Grammys got right in the coming weeks.

But start with Best Alternative Music Album field, where offerings from Bjork, Arcade Fire, the Shins, the White Stripes and Lily Allen are showcased. Swap out Bjork's uneven "Volta" for West's "Graduation," and replace the Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" with Mavis Staples' "We'll Never Turn Back," and you have a pretty respectable Album of the Year field.

And, oh, that Best New Artist thing: I'm aware of the rules, but a new artist should not be crowned when the Recording Academy voters discover something; it should be the year an artist's debut album is released.

Yes, things will be missed -- I didn't discover the wonderful world of art-punk act the Mekons until nearly two decades into their career -- but so be it.

That's part of the fun of being a music fan. Only fast-rising teenage country star Taylor Swift is a true new artist -- R&B singer Ledisi is on her third album, and Feist, Winehouse and rock act Paramore are all on their second albums. Make it 100% about discovery, even if it forces Recording Academy voters to work a little harder.

In other news, voters deserve praise for not sticking Daughtry with a Best New Artist nod.

But alas, we all have two months to talk about what the Grammys got right and what the Grammys got wrong, and there will be some non-stop pouring through category after category on this site. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I direct you to a piece from Times music critic Ann Powers for a different perspective.

 

(Photo courtesy Associated Press)