We will be missing stars at the Grammys

I do not think that the upcoming Grammy Awards 2012 will be as exciting as the previous years. For one, while Kanye West got seven nominations, Taylor Swift did not get any for her album Speak Now. You know how the thought of those two meeting together in an awards night sort of adds spice to the proceedings. Then neither did Britney Spear’s Femme Fatale. Maybe she should stick to MTV. And Beyoncé, Grammy favorite Beyoncé got only two nods and in minor categories at that. 

So what can fans expect from the Grammys on Feb. 12? No Bieber because he did not release a new album. No Train or The Fray either. Bruno Mars will be there. His Doo-Wops And Hooligans is up for Album of the Year. So are 21 by Adele; Wasting Light by The Foo Fighters, Born This Way by Lady Gaga and Loud, Rihanna.

I am glad Lady Gaga made the list. You can count on this girl to drum up excitement anywhere she goes. Maybe a meeting between Rihanna and Chris Brown who is also nominated might generate some fireworks. Without those, it will be some sweet vocals by Adele and some rocking by the Foos. I like the music of these guys and Wasting Light is a great album but where are the other rockers?

The reason we are missing a lot of names must be because the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences decided to trim down the nominations this year. For example: While Rock Performance once had Solo, Duo or Group and Instrumental, there is now only one, the Best Rock Performance. It was the same thing in the Best Pop Vocal Performance. This used to be divided into two, Male and Female but is now just one category. 

I prefer to think that it was a desire to streamline the Grammy Awards that prompted these changes. Heaven forbid that it was because, there were not enough good releases to nominate.

Anyway, here is part one of the list of nominees.

Record of the Year: Rolling In The Deep, Adele; Holocene by Bon Iver; Grenade, Bruno Mars; The Cave by Mumford & Sons; Katy Perry, Firework.

Song of the Year: All Of The Lights, Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie; The Cave, Mumford & Sons; Grenade, Bruno Mars; Holocene, Bon Iver; Rolling In The Deep, Adele.

Best New Artist: The Band Perry; Bon Iver; J.Cole; Nicki Minaj; Skrillex.

Pop Solo Vocal Performance: Adele, Someone Like You; Bruno Mars, Grenade; Katy Perry, Firework; Lady Gaga, You And I; Pink, F***kin’ Perfect.

Duo or Group Pop Vocal: The Black Keys, Dearest; Coldplay, Paradise; Foster The People, Pumped Up Kicks; Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, Moves Like Jagger; Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse, Body and Soul.

Pop Vocal Album: 21, Adele; The Lady Killer, Cee-Lo Green; Born This Way, Lady Gaga; Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Bruno Mars; Loud, Rihanna.

Dance Recording: Sunshine, David Guetta and Avicil; Raise Your Weapon, Deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech; Barbra Streisand, Duck Sauce; Call Your Girlfriend, Robyn; Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex; Save The World, Swedish House Mafia.

Electronic/Dance Album: Zonoscope, Cut/Copy; Nothing But The Beat, David Guetta; 4X4=12, Dead Mau5; Body Talk Pt. 3, Robyn; Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex.

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Duets II, Tony Bennett; The Gift, Susan Boyle; In Concert On Broadway, Harry Connick Jr.; Music Is Better Than Words, Seth McFarlane; What Matters Most, Barbra Streisand.

Rock Performance: Coldplay, Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall; The Decemberists, Down By The Water; Foo Fighters, Walk; Mumford & Sons, The Cave; Radiohead, Lotus Flower.

Hard Rock Metal Performance: Dream Theater, On The Backs Of Angels; Foo Fighters, White Limo; Mastodon, Curl Of The Burl; Megadeth, Public Enemy No.1; Sum 41, Blood In My Eyes.

Rock Song: Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall, Coldplay; Down By The Water, The Decemberists; The Cave, Mumford & Sons; Lotus Flower, Radiohead; Walk, Foo Fighters.

Rock Album: Rock ‘n Roll Party Honoring Les Paul, Jeff Beck; Wasting Light, Foo Fighters; Come Around Sundown, Kings Of Leon; I’m With You, Red Hot Chili Peppers; The Whole Love, Wilco.

Alternative Music Album: Bon Iver, Bon Iver; Codes And Keys, Death Cab for Cutie; Torches, Foster The People; Circuital, My Morning Jacket; The King Of Limbs, Radiohead

Featured on Wednesday will be the R&B and rap nominees with top-notcher Kanye West.