The Best Rock Album category isn't normally a big deal at the Grammys, which is really a celebration of everything pop. This year is a different story, though. U2 is up for the award thanks to their September release, Songs of Innocence, or better known as That One They Gave Away for Free. The Irish band caught a fair amount of criticism from iTunes users and fellow musicians when the album magically appeared in their digital libraries. That will be the big storyline going into Sunday for the Rock Album category rather than the fact that Ryan Adams, Beck, The Black Keys and Tom Petty all had spectacular titles to their credit in 2014.
Songs of Innocence was almost ineligible for the awards ceremony because it was given away for free. However, the band and, more likely, record label Interscope released the effort as a vinyl LP shortly after and prior to the Grammy cut-off of Sept. 30. Sneaky, sneaky.
That's a bummer for the other artists this year because despite all the attention the band received, the record isn't terrible. Plus, the mighty U2 has more than 20 Grammy wins, with two previous victories in the Best Rock Album category with 2001's All That You Can't Leave Behind and 2005's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The only contender this year close to those numbers is The Black Keys with three wins, including one for Best Album in 2012 with El Camino.
NOMINEES:
Morning Phase by Beck
Songs of Innocence by U2
Turn Blue by The Black Keys
Ryan Adams by Ryan Adams
Hypnotic Eye by Tom Petty
WHAT ALBUM SHOULD WIN: Ryan Adams
On a much smaller scale than U2, Adams had an impressive year. He put out multiple EPs before dropping his self-titled, 14th studio album in September.
The record contains some of his most radio-friendly work to date, especially with singles like "Gimme Something Good" and "Wrecking Ball." The album also boasts the indie rock answer to Sam Smith's pop ballad, "Stay With Me." Instead of a pleading song about not being alone after a one-night stand, Adams turns on his full rock swagger on his version of "Stay With Me." "Love when you call my name / It sends me running into the flame / I love you baby, just treat me right / Hold me closer in the middle of the night / I love you girl, and it's alright," he sings over rolling guitars.
Other tunes on the album call into question the singer's recent divorce from wife of five years, Mandy Moore. If songs like "Shadows" and "Am I Safe" aren't emotionally foreboding, than "Let Go" certainly is. "Cross your fingers behind your back / And lie / Tell me it's okay if you'll fix everything / 'Cause I let go."
It's difficult to put Adams into this category because of the almost absolute certainty there is that he won't win, let alone be there. But out of all the acts, he certainly deserves the nod.
WHAT ALBUM WILL WIN: Songs of Innocence
This isn't set in stone because The Black Keys are right on U2's heels. And not too far behind is Beck, whose 12th studio album caused a big stir, hitting three on the Billboard 200 chart. While Petty and his Heartbreakers had a solid release with Hypnotic Eye, the only way the singer is getting any sort of Grammy recognition this year is if Smith takes home the award for Song of the Year.
The powers that be, however, will use U2's "noble" gift-giving as a way to bring some more publicity after the fact. Imagine Bono up at the podium rambling through all the drama and explaining his side of everything. Some in the audience will applaud, while others scoff at him and turn the other way.
U2's victory will be worth it merely from the standpoint of seeing those reaction shots.
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