Grammy Awards nominations are out
By Shannon Sneed
Entertainment Reporter
Ahh, the Grammys ... Those
highly esteemed, coveted little
bronze statues sought by thou
sands but given to only a handful
of the most deserving of contem
porary musicians — those who
have made a brilliant and lasting
impact in the hearts and souls of
Americans everywhere. Those
who have boldly gone where no
artist has gone before, seeking out
new musical horizons and pro
viding inspiration to fans every
where.
Like Hanson, for example. Or
the “Space Jam” soundtrack.
Yes, folks, it’s Grammy season
yet again, and the powers that be
have yet again come up with a
truly stellar lineup of relentlessly
mediocre acts, with only a smat
tering of actual talent in between.
In fact, the Grammys have be
come such a pathetic measure of
musical excellence that they were
even made a joke on an episode of
“The Simpsons” (which, as we all
know, is quite an accurate barom
eter of the general inanity of con
temporary American culture).
There are, however, a few new
acts actually deserving of recogni
tion this year, as well as a few old
ones who have released impres
sive albums recently. (For their
sake, though, I hope they don’t
win. It might be construed as an
insult.)
Here’s a few of the nominees:
Single of the Year
Paula Cole, “Where Have all the
Cowboys Gone?”; Shawn Colvin,
“Sunny Came Home”; Sheryl
Crow, “Every Day is a Winding
Road”; Hanson, “MmmBop”; and
■ Paiiia
■ Bob
rtynGonet
UngRoai"
R. Kelly, "I Believe I can Fly”
(from the “Space Jam” sound
track). Although Hanson is al
ready a shoo-in for the categories
of “Most Overexposed,” “Most
Radio Airplay” and “Most An
noying Hair,” Paula Cole may just
edge out those Midwestern cuties
for her song about being rescued
from the drudgery of everyday
life by the Marlboro Man. Ugh.
Album of the Year
Surprisingly, this category ac
tually contains some quality
artists. Nominated are: Babyface,
“The Day”; Paula Cole, "This
Fire”; Bob Dylan, “Time out of
Mind”; Paul McCartney, “Flam
ing Pie”; and Radiohead, “OK
Computer.” Dylan or McCartney
may win just because they’re,
well, Dylan and McCartney, but
press darlings Radiohead may be
the most deserving. The dreamy,
experimental “OK Computer”
was one of the best rock albums
released in a long time. And that’s
saying a lot.
B«st Rap Album
OJo’big surprises here. Natu
Igllly, the Notorious B.I.G. was
* nominated for his posthu
% mous “Life After Death,” as
was Puff Daddy’s "No
Way Out”; Missy “Misde
« meanor” Elliott’s ”Supa
* . Dupa Fly”; Wyclef
Jean’s "Carnival"; and
the Wu-Tang Clan’s
"Wu-Tane Forev
er.” Biggie might
win for posteri
ty’s sake, but it’ll
be a tight race with
Missy Elliott, who
garnered wide acclaim
this year for her debut re
lease.
Best New Artist
Fiona Apple, "Tidal”; Erykah
Badu, "Baduizm”; Paula Cole,
"This Fire”; Hanson, “Middle of
Nowhere”; and Puff Daddy, “No
Way Out.” Badu should win just
for those cool head wraps she
wears. Apple should not win
just because of her annoying,
overly trendy “Criminal” video.
But Hanson will win because
they’re what all Grammy nomi
nators dream of: They’re radio
friendly, non-threatening, and
most importantly, pre-teen girls
drool over them enough to make
them a marketable commodity.
That’s the formula, folks.
Want a Grammy? Find a record
ing studio and a hair salon, and
get to work. The awards are
coming up on Feb. 25, and
you’ve got some very stiff com
petition.
In the corner pocket
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See the Pocket Playhouse presentation of
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night at 5 in 102 Villard Hall.
The play is written and directed by Heather
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The cast includes Jennifer Stewart, Dave
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