Arcade Fire have a strange track record at the Grammys. They were surprise winners for Album of the Year in 2011 for “The Suburbs” … and that’s it. The Canadian indie rock band won the most coveted prize awarded by the recording academy but not a single other award out of eight previous nominations. Even “The Suburbs” lost its two other bids that year: Best Rock Duo/Group Performance for “Ready to Start” (the Grammys went with The Black Keys for “Tighten Up”) and Best Alternative Album (the Grammys went with The Black Keys again, for “Brothers”). So can the group finally add to their tally?
This year Arcade Fire are nominated for Best Alternative Album for their fifth album, “Everything Now.” They have been nominated in this race for all five of their records: “Funeral” (2006), “Neon Bible” (2008), the aforementioned “Suburbs,” “Reflektor” (2015), and now this one. But they’re still looking for their first genre-field victory. It might be difficult for them this year as this is their only nomination, indicating limited overall support from the recording academy, but none of their rival nominees received much more recognition, past or present, so it appears to be a fairly level playing field.
The only other Grammy winners in this race is Gorillaz, the virtual rock band created by musician Damon Albarn. This year they’re nominated for their fifth album “Humanz” and also contend for Best Dance Recording (“Andromeda”). Their one previous victory was Best Pop Collaboration in 2006 for “Feel Good Inc.,” which was also nominated for Record of the Year.
The rest of the nominees are aiming for their first victory. LCD Soundsystem contend for the first time in this category for their fourth album “American Dream,” and like Gorillaz they’re also up for Best Dance Recording (“Tonite”). Two of their previous albums earned bids for Best Electronic/Dance Album: their self-titled effort in 2006 and “Sound of Silver” in 2008.
Father John Misty earned critical acclaim for his nominated album “Pure Comedy,” and he has a past nomination for Best Folk Album (“Helplessness Blues,” 2012). This year he’s also in the running for Best Recording Package for the deluxe edition of “Pure Comedy.” Rounding out the category are The National for “Sleep Well Beast,” which is also nominated for its recording package. This is their second nomination in this race, following “Trouble Will Find Me” in 2014.
Be sure to make your Grammy predictions so that Hollywood record executives and top name stars can see how their songs and albums are faring in our Grammy odds. Don’t be afraid to jump in now since you can keep changing your predictions until just before winners are announced on January 28. And join in the fierce debate over the 2018 Grammys taking place right now with Hollywood insiders in our music forums. Read more Gold Derby entertainment news.
