Rock

Best Rock Performance

“You Want It Darker” (Leonard Cohen)

“The Promise” (Chris Cornell)

“Run” (Foo Fighters)

“No Good” (Kaleo)

“Go to War” (Nothing More)

Notable Snubs: “The Sky Is a Neighborhood” (Foo Fighters)

Reaction: It’s personal preference, but could we have swapped out “Run” in favor of the better Foo Fighters song “The Sky is a Neighborhood?” Also, this category, with no disrespect to the dearly departed Leonard Cohen or Chris Cornell sort of sums up why rock didn’t reach the biggest categories this year.  Nothing about this category is very exciting – no offense.

Best Rock Album

Emperor of Sand (Mastodon)

Hardwired…To Self-Destruct (Metallica)

The Stories We Tell Ourselves (Nothing More)

Villains (Queens of The Stone Age)

A Deeper Understanding (The War on Drugs)

Notable Snubs: Concrete and Gold (Foo Fighters); Ryan Adams (Prisoner)

Reaction: Where are Foo Fighters (Concrete and Gold)? They were nominated in best rock and song categories, but snubbed here? Also, where is Ryan Adams (Prisoner)? Ugh, a truly great divorce album!  Nonetheless, the inclusion of Metallica (Hardwired…To Self-Destruct) and Queens of the Stone Age (Villains) tickles my fancy. The War on Drugs’ A Deeper Understanding wasn’t bad, but unlike many critics, wasn’t a personal favorite.

Alternative

Best Alternative Music Album

Everything Now (Arcade Fire)

Humanz (Gorillaz)

American Dream (LCD Soundsystem)

Pure Comedy (Father John Misty)

Sleep Well Beast (The National)

Notable Snubs: Fleet Foxes, Crack-Up

Reaction: Best Alternative Music Album is always one of the most competitive, tight categories.  This year is no different.  The biggest objection is the lack of a nomination for the excellent, complex comeback album by Fleet Foxes, Crack-Up.  Missed opportunity.  Happy to see Father John Misty get some recognition for one of the top-five albums of 2017, Pure Comedy.