Best Rock Performance
Elle King – “Ex’s & Oh’s”
Wolf Alice – “Moaning Lisa Smile”
Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”
Florence and the Machine – “What Kind of Man”
Foo Fighters – “Something from Nothing”
Who Will Win: Foo Fighters – “Something from Nothing”
Who Should Win: Wolf Alice – “Moaning Lisa Smile”
Rock legend and overall great guy Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighter had a great album drop at the end of 2014, but “Something from Nothing” isn’t even the best song from Sonic Highways… Come on Grammys, you could have at least nominated “Outside” or “I am a River” (two songs which would have been much more suitable for a “performance” category). But of course, it’s hard to imagine the Foo Fighters losing at the Grammys. However, one thing should be pointed out: all the other four acts are fronted by women. In a musical universe that was long dominated by masculinity, bands like Wolf Alice, Florence and the Machine and Alabama Shakes are actually doing quite well. Because women like Ellie Rowsell, Brittany Howard and Florence Welch are not great female rockers. They’re great rockers; period. Now, new kids Wolf Alice are also the purest Rock’N’Roll band out there. Distortion, roaring guitars, heavy drums, screams and genius vocals, so many distinctive features fill “Moaning Lisa Smile” yet all of them are flawless.
Best Rock Album
James Bay – Chaos and the Chain
Death Cab for Cutie – Kintsugi
Highly Suspect – Mister Asylum
Muse – Drones
Slipknot – .5: The Gray Chapter
Who Will Win: Muse – Drones
Who Should Win: Death Cab for Cutie – Kintsugi
The world has shifted into such an alternative mindset, it’s no surprise that this year’s best Rock album category is a disappointment. At best, the albums in there are “decent”, even though they’re supposed to be the crème de la crème. By default, it’s fair to say (especially in those circumstances) the biggest band on this list should get the Grammy. But let’s not fool ourselves by saying Muse’s Drones was the better album. Of course, they remain one of the best live bands out there, but it sounds like their sound is losing in quality, and in creativity. One may even argue that all of their songs sound the same. Then again, why change a winning formula? Anyway, Death Cab for Cutie’s Kintsugi seems to be the least worst choice, especially with tracks like “Black Sun” and “Ghosts of Beverly Drive”.
Best Rock Song
Highly Suspect – “Lydia”
Florence and the Machine – “What Kind of Man”
Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”
Elle King – “Ex’s & Oh’s”
James Bay – “Hold Back the River”
Who Will Win: Alabama Shakes – “Don’t Wanna Fight”
Who Should Win: Florence and the Machine – “What Kind of Man”
Once again, many of the songs on this shortlist blur the line between Pop and Rock. To us, the race is narrowed down to two tracks: “Don’t Wanna Fight” (in which Brittany Howard’s opening vocals remind us a lot of Janis Joplin’s “Cry Baby”) and “What Kind of Man”. Now, the Alabama Shakes are a group that have always been loved by the Grammy judges. Ever since their debut, they’ve been labeled as leaders in true Rock’s revival, so we wouldn’t be surprised if they got the gold. However, “Don’t Wanna Fight”, even though it sounds great, seems to be less complete than Florence and the Machine’s auditive hammer. Both have the same line repeated over and over again, sure, but at no point does it get boring, and that’s great. Nonetheless, “What Kind Of Man” has a “lush” that “Don’t Wanna Fight” lacks, and in such a tight race, that’s enough for us to pick our winner.
Best Alternative Album
My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall
Tame Impala – Currents
Wilco – Star Wars
Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color
Björk – Vulnicura
Who Will Win: Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color
Who Should Win: Tame Impala – Currents
One of the most interesting categories this year. The Indie group par excellence, the first-timers, one of the great American bands, the classic kids and the legend (respectively). Anyone can get it, but as we just mentioned, Alabama Shakes are one of the acts that the Grammys really love and cherish. Certainly something to do with that wise rebel attitude that makes them so badass yet so calm and humble in their lyrics and melodies. Besides, being nominated for in so many categories, one should expect to win at least once. However, Tame Impala released the best album of 2015, and are certainly one of the best bands of their generation. To us, they already won. Whatever happens, we’ll sure be keeping a close eye on this category.