Gwen Stefani & Maroon 5 may be early Grammy frontrunners
Since we're roughly halfway through the eligibility period of the next Grammys (Oct. 1, 2006 to Sept. 31, 2007), it's time to spy the derby track and see who's got an early head start to claim the top four prizes: album, record, song and new artist of the year. I asked our forums moderator David Schnelwar ("Guru") to stick out his tender neck and tell us what he sees.
What do YOU think? Click on the "Comments" link below and pipe in!
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Likely)
Arcade Fire – "Neon Bible"
Jay-Z – "Kingdom Come"
Joss Stone – "Introducing Joss Stone"
(Other Possibilities)
Beck – "The Information"
Norah Jones – "Not Too Late"
The Shins – "Wincing The Night Away"
RECORD OF THE YEAR
(Likely)
Nelly Furtado – "Say It Right"
Maroon 5 – "Makes Me Wonder"
Gwen Stefani f/ Akon – "The Sweet Escape"
(Other Possibilities)
Beyonce – "Irreplaceable"
Daughtry – "It's Not Over"
Justin Timberlake – "What Goes Around . . . Comes Around"
BEST NEW ARTIST
(Likely)
Lily Allen
Daughtry
Amy Winehouse
(Other Possibilities)
Mat Kearney
Katharine McPhee
Paolo Nutini
Photo: Gwen Stefani's latest CD "The Sweet Escape" was released last December. Its title track is a strong contender for record of the year. (Interscope Records)
I see the conspiracy theorists are crawling out of the woodwork. Anyone with an ear for music will say that both Daughtry and Katharine McPhee have produced good albums for their first efforts. Perhaps not to the personal tastes some, obviously if Pop or Rock is not your thing you won't be entertained. But certainly both CD's are excellent in their own genres.
One cannot say the same for the maniacal Hicks. There is good reason that his name does not appear even on the "Other Possibilities" list. His album was horrendous, and he has no clear cut niche. Even some of his most avid fans have admitted being disappointed. All one must do is listen to the radio occasionally to hear Daughtry and McPhee. But since the bombastic and utterly ridiculous "Do I Make You Proud" fell from grace, I've heard not one croaking note from Hicks on the airwaves. And it isn't difficult to sell out venues when they only hold 200-500 people. Even Hicks can still do that. When he starts selling out arenas with 60,000-100,000 fervent fans, I'll eat my hat. I can say with confidence that my hat is entirely safe. Hicks may go down as the greatest Idol failure of all times.
Posted by: Jack Carter | August 02, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Winning Americal Idol is about he who garners most votes because rabid fans vote hundreds of times an hour, not about the ability to sing. Even Kat McPhee has outsold Taylor Hicks. Hicks sales numbers are pathetic. It will be interesting to see if his upcoming cd bombs as badly as this one did. I have a feeling that without the Idol hype to send people to the stores it will be a bigger flop than the current cd.
Daughtry's style may be similar to others out there but the man can sing and the proof of the band's popularity is in the numbers. I certainly think we'll see several nominations for this band.
Arcade Fire and Nelly Furtado are very strong contenders, I wouldn't be surprised if either of them won.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 26, 2007 at 12:48 PM
I would love to see DAUGHTRY get an award. They are awesome. I had seen them in concert and the place was packed and nobody left feeling empty handed.
Posted by: Dottie | June 04, 2007 at 09:05 AM
what's with all the daughtry hype...yeah, i love the guy, even own the CD, but have we all forgotten taylor? you know, that guy who won??? he has an awesome album and i really think it should get some recognition....he IS the american idol, you know.....oh yeah...SOUL PATROL! get taylor on there!
Posted by: kate | April 27, 2007 at 05:17 PM
Chris Daughtry? His record label and management company reap the benefit IF his CD's sell don't they? Seems to me Daughtry's label was fined millions of dollars for payola to radio stations. Kinda strange isn't it that Daughtry's single is played relentlessly on the radio, yet in Atlanta, his concert had just 26 people there and they were giving the tickets away! (See Atlanta Journal Constitution Entertainment). Strange to that Katherine McPhee's up for a Grammy! You are kidding me? Well, she and Daughtry are tied at the hip, both under the same label and management company. IF they are BOTH up for Grammy's, we know why don't we? What a insult to those artists who actually deserve a GRAMMY. The music business and it IS a business are reaping the rewards and the listeners are being CHEATED of hearing really good musical artists. How pathatic that MONEY gains a Grammy when two like Daughtry and McPhee are musical imposters...It is truly a disgrace!
Posted by: MJC | April 22, 2007 at 01:00 AM
haha
being nominated for bna
is not based on sales
hahaha kat definitely along with daughtry deserve to be nominated instead of hick
because bna goes to people who have the most potential
to have a great recording career aswell as have GREAT voices. sorry to burst your bubble hick fans he hasnt got neither of those. hahaha!
Posted by: truth | April 21, 2007 at 10:24 PM
I am shocked and disappointed that Taylor Hicks and his new CD have not gotten recognition. He should be considered for the best new artist, because he has brought a NEW sound to the music scene. He and his CD are a breath of fresh air among today's "cookie cutter" artists. Rich vocals, bright and funky instrumentation make his new CD worthy of attention. His highly successful national tour proves his worth.
Posted by: Flow | April 21, 2007 at 07:27 PM
I'm shocked and disappointed that Taylor Hicks and his new CD have not gotten any notice. He alone has brought NEW to the music scene. His CD is a breath of fresh air among today's "cookie cutter" artists. Rich vocals and bright instrumentation make it a highly enjoyable CD worthy of recognition.
Posted by: Flowers | April 21, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Daughtry best new artist? What is NEW about their music? Sounds like everyone else!
Posted by: Barbara | April 21, 2007 at 06:59 PM
Daughtry deserves the nomination, if it's based on sales. But then if it's based on sales, why Kat McPhee?! Has she even sold 400,000 yet? Is it because she's cute? I don't get it!
Posted by: PattiH | April 21, 2007 at 04:07 PM
Daughtry, absolutely. His vocals soar on the self-titled CD. I think Best New Artist is very attainable. In my opinion, he deserves to be nominated for best rock male vocal for "What I Want" or "Crashed". Too soon in the game but this man's a powerhouse rock vocalist as well as a fine musician. I think many good things await Chris Daughtry....who has proven to me that he is more than just a niche rock singer.
Posted by: lg | April 21, 2007 at 03:25 PM
I would love for Katharine McPhee to be nominated for a new artist. It may be a long shot but she's got what it takes to become a star ! beauty, talent, and attitude. It would be so refreshing !
Posted by: Jossie | April 21, 2007 at 12:24 PM
I'm sorry but why would Katharine Mcphee even be a consideration? Lol
Posted by: Jill | April 21, 2007 at 11:14 AM
I'd love it if McPhee was nominated because I think her album is very good, unfortunatly unless her next single is big I don't really see them considering her. Although they've considered Paolo and Mat who I think have sold less than her but are more "out there" then a straight pop/r&b album.
Posted by: KT | April 21, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Taylor Hicks' album if listened to with a critical and objective ear, is way better than the ones produced by co-idol contestants Daughtry and Mcphee.
He deserves the best new artist nomination. His concert 55 city concert tour is mostly sold out and acclaimed by those who attended them.
It will be a cultural crime to ignore this talent just because his music is different.
Posted by: May Shanley | April 21, 2007 at 11:05 AM
I honestly don't think Gwen will get a nod for Record of the Year. I don't think TSE has made too much of an impact and her album isn't that great overall.
I definetly agree with Arcade Fire as album of the year, it's truly amazing.
Also for Best New Artist I think Katharine McPhee has a pretty big shot. Her record label has to be smart about choosing their singles though. Their decisions make or break the albubm. If the right songs are chosen this album has the potential to be pretty huge.
Posted by: Geronimo | April 21, 2007 at 09:52 AM
I whole-heartedly support the Arcade Fire's incredible "Neon Bible" for Album of the Year. Amazing album from a truly talented indie band that deserves to trump all the mainstream artists for sure. Same goes for the Of Montreal, LCD Soundsystem, and !!!.
Also, even though it hasn't been released yet (though it's playing in its entirety on Myspace) is the new Nine Inch Nails disc "Year Zero." It's ambitious and fully lives up to all its promotional hype.
On the other hand, I like Gwen Stefani, but "The Sweet Escape" was really weak and disappointing. And the new Joss Stone album is nothing special.
Posted by: Jeff | April 15, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Too soon to tell...not enough strong contenders....let's come back to this around July or August...Justin timberlake..forget about it...after his whining...NARAS will choose to ignore him this time around...what goes around, comes around..round,round,round....
Posted by: Frankie R. | April 13, 2007 at 09:14 AM
I am (or try to be) a fan of Gwen Stefani, but this album is really weak. I also don't think the title track is strong or has the overwhelming popularity to place it in the top categories.
I'm optimistic about My Chemcial Romance breaking out of the rock categories and into the top one's. At least, it has a better shot than a lot of other music mentioned.
Posted by: Andrew | April 13, 2007 at 08:58 AM
At year's end, The Arcade Fire just may deserve this honor. Utilizing a number of instruments from church organ to violin to human voice, the band generates a unique sound, and an enjoyable CD thoroughly engaging from start to finish. I would love to see this inventive and original band shatter the often unremarkable musical mainstream by claiming Album of the Year. With "Neon Bible" The Arcade Fire succeeds in surpassing their incredible first album "Funeral."
Additionally, the track "Intervention" should be in the running for Record (and Song) of the Year. Its lyrics revolve around the emotions and thoughts of a soldier at war. The song leaves a long-lasting impact that makes you think about our world's current struggles and bloodshed. If political overtones did in fact propel The Dixie Chicks to their recent Grammy triumph, The Arcade Fire's empathetic vibe towards warring soldiers could similarly resonate with Grammy voters.
Posted by: Mb | April 12, 2007 at 06:14 PM
They just love Norah Jones so she'll get nominated.
Posted by: AJ | April 12, 2007 at 04:38 PM