This year's Grammy nominees for Album of the Year rightfully includes such big names as Kanye West, Foo Fighters, Herbie Hancock and Amy Winehouse, all of whom released some pretty exceptional material over the last year.
We were, however, perplexed by the inclusion of Vince Gill in this all-star list. Sure, he may have released the best country album of the year, but really, who cares? It could be the best country album ever for all we care - Amy Winehouse would still win. With a few days to go before Sunday night's awards, we thought the Recording Academy would appreciate suggestions for the top ten albums that should replace Vince Gill as nominee.
10. Andrew Bird, "Armchair Apocrypha": Andrew Bird not only created an album of sparse yet beautiful melodies, he's also a professional whistler and plays a mean classical violin. His musicianship is readily apparent on tracks like "Heretics," but even still he preserves the big hooks and choruses that make the album fun. Did we mention he's a great lyricist?
9. Feist, "The Reminder": This 32-year-old French-Canadian singer-songwriter has a beautiful voice, likes to choreograph huge dance sequences, and put out an album full of tiny perfect moments. Besides, wasn't that iPod commercial everyone's favorite one anyway?
8. Modest Mouse, "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank": Modest Mouse may have lost most of their indie credibility a few years ago with its release of its single "Float On," but the new album manages to be even more accessible without losing the band's essential quirkiness. By giving The Shins' James Mercer the catchier melodies, Isaac Brock was free to do what he does best: shout and ramble on about nothing in particular.
7. Fergie, "The Dutchess": While we're a little late on this one, we couldn't help but put her in here. It is impossible to go anywhere without hearing one of Fergie's many singles from this album: in the car, the bathroom, the mall, the airport, restaurants, bars and on television. Besides, there is hardly any better dance music out there than Fergie - don't try to deny that she's been played at more than a few Tufts parties.
6. Radiohead, "In Rainbows": More important than the music on the album itself, this release marked a watershed event in the history of the record industry: the launching of an album for free on the Internet without a record label. You should own this album regardless of whether you like the band. Come on, it's free.
5. Sara Bareilles, "Little Voice": Picking up on the edges of the soulful female singer-songwriters of the '90s and 2000s, Bareilles provides a fresh take on catchy pop songs with her debut album. Her music is more accessible than Fiona Apple's, more entertaining than Norah Jones' and definitely less bizarre than Regina Spektor's. Who cares if she has no formal training?
4. Ray Lamontagne, "Till the Sun Turns Black": Another singer-songwriter, this one is known for his raspy voice and soft guitar. With his second album, Lamontagne takes the listener into a darker, more sexual place than his previous album, "Trouble," which was more about sweetness and love. So whether someone is looking for music to impress a girl or music that promotes solitude, Lamontagne has it all.
3. Jimmy Eat World, "Chase This Light": Jimmy Eat World's newest album didn't get half the respect it deserved, and the band has been overlooked as one of the best rock acts around for far too long. Maybe the album isn't truly Grammy-worthy, but it was certainly one of the best alternative rock efforts of 2007.
2. Lupe Fiasco, "The Cool": One of the best new faces in rap proved his staying power by releasing an especially solid sophomore album, just one year after his highly acclaimed "Food and Liquor" (2006). The idea of a concept album, may not bring in many new audiences, but his fans could have asked for nothing better than these twenty innovative, emotionally-charged tracks. There's even an appearance by Snoop Dogg, so you know you can't go wrong.
1. R. Kelly, "Trapped in the Closet Chapters 16-32": What would this year have been without the release of Chapters 16-32 in R. Kelly's epic "Trapped in the Closet" saga. By this point, he's so deep in the closet, he's finding old Christmas presents. Insert Tom Cruise joke here.
