LUCIDMEDIA

Grammy Awards Scorecard 2006

Written by Adam A. Donaldson Friday, 29 December 2006 11:32

They’re all good choices, but given Mary J’s reign this year as the artist with the most nominations (eight), this trophy is naturally hers to lose.

Timberlake! Really? Best album of the year? It doesn’t really matter as the Academy favours experience in this category. Advantage: Chili Peppers.

This award goes to the songwriters and I can’t think of anyone more deserving than the Dixie Chicks, who took all their boycott frustrations and released the tension the best way they possibly could: through song.

Blunt’s struck a chord, but I’m putting in a good word for Underwood for finding a way to break the Idol curse by going country.

Could go to Aguilera’s return to classy, but I think the safe bet is that Tunstall will get recognition as the new kid in town.

Blunt all the way! The power of schmaltz-pop cannot be denied.

“My Humps”? Pass. It was only the most annoying song released last year. And how did the Pussycat Dolls get here? This leaves a three-way race and it could be anyone’s game. Personally, I’m leaning towards Keane.

Timberlake again? The old school vote could split on Costello and Aguilera, allowing another win for Blunt, but I wouldn’t bet against any of these three.

I think Mayer and Beck could probably save themselves the hassle of preparing a speech. This will go to Young for the way he reached back to his protest song roots.

Last year this was U2’s, the year before Green Day’s. The truth of the matter is that The Fray stands out by the fact of recognition, and that Grey’s Anatomy sheen has to be worth something.

Again, I have to give the advantage to Young because this one recognizes him as a songwriter. If he can only get one trophy, it’ll be for this category.

I hate to sound repetitive, but against Young and his new creative high, I just don’t see how these others can stack up.

If the Academy wanted to throw from left field they'd go with Yorke, but they’ll play it safe and give Gnarls Barkley the hardware.

In the spirit of Mary J. Blige’s multiple nominations, I’d have to say that she’s a lock here; the Grammy’s like to award big.

Look for the Academy to give a proper send-off to Luther Vandross.

This is where they’ll throw Prince a bone.

Prince could pick-up another one here, or maybe India.Arie. However, one must beware of the potential for a Blige sweep.

Yeah, this one to Blige too.

It’ll be a battle between the old guard and the new guard; in other words Janet versus Beyonce. Unfortunately for Janet, she didn’t come out of “Nipple-Gate” smellin’ like Timberlake and that’ll be enough for another Beyonce win.

I’ve got my fingers crossed for Mos Def, but Missy Elliott’s fine by me too.

After years of waiting, we've finally got some new Outkast. Look for the Academy to lavish praise generously.

Look for Ludacris’ mainstream acting resume to lend him an advantage.

Could be Ludacris, but it’ll probably be the high-minded beats of the Roots that win the day.

Underwood could squeak through, but it’ll probably be the more established Wilson or McBride that get this one, not the rook.

Let’s say Urban; it’ll give him a nice post-rehab boost and the sales of his latest album potentially make him a crossover star.

The tearjerkers will probably go for Rascal Flatts, but the Dixie Chicks deserve it more.

I’ll keep fingers crossed for Bentley, who’s nominated for actually singing a song he wrote.

In a supreme act of defiance to the wags that still refuse to spin them: The Dixie Chicks.

Walk the Line because Phoenix and the cast did right by John and June Cash.