(News) Grammy Noms. In (A Few Surprises)

Typically, this is how it goes. Whoever makes the most headlines, whoever does the most campaigning, whoever has the biggest studio backing them, that's the artist that will win the Grammy. Same thing this year. But it's nice to see that some decent artists made the list this year, artists that are minor artists on major labels.

Like Death Cab for Cutie, nominated for Best Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "I Will Follow You Into the Dark." It just so happened to by my #2 song of 2005.

Another one, Zero 7's "The Garden" is nominated for Best Electronic/Dance Album.

The Flaming Lips are nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "The Wizard Turns On" as well as Best Alternative Music Album for "At War With the Mystics."

Really though, I doubt any of these deserving bands will win. Death Cab is up against the faaaaaarrrr superior "My Humps" by The Black Eyed Peas. Zero 7 is up against the Madonna juggernaut. The Flaming Lips may win the Best Rock Instrumental Performance if they can overcome the Arctic Monkeys, who have had essentially every media outlet shazaam! all over them. They won't win the other category, as they are up against Gnarls Barkley. I listened to that album, it was pretty god-awful.

So here's hoping that people recognize good music when they hear it. Considering that "Stadium Arcadium" and "Dani California" are nominated for almost everything, I doubt that'll come to pass. Too bad.

For the complete list of nominees, click here. The Grammy Awards air sometime soon. Who cares when?