LA Times: NLOTH a Grammy Contender
The LA Times takes an early look at contenders for the next Album of the Year Grammy Award, and concludes that No Line On The Horizon will be in the running. Well, given how much the Recording Academy loves U2, that’s pretty much a no-brainer, and the Times realizes it, too: “It’s U2, friends. This is the band that opened the 2009 Grammy Awards, despite not even having an album in contention during last year’s eligibility period.”
Still, the Times’ argument gets more interesting when they discuss the potential for NLOTH to win Album of the Year:
“Here’s where things get a little interesting. U2′s last two albums were nominated for album of the year trophies, the aforementioned “Atomic Bomb,” plus “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” in 2002. But “No Line” is a significantly better record than both. It’s not perfect — witness the predictably sparkly phone-in-the-air rock ballad “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” — but by and large, “No Line” is U2 back to its risk-taking self. “Moment of Surrender,” in particular, is an extended gospel-influenced rock ‘n’ soul cut that’s all about relaxing into a groove rather than going for the stadium chorus. In short, if voters recognized U2′s last two albums, they can’t overlook this one, as it’s the superior effort.
There’s also an interesting little factoid that was news to me: next year’s Grammys will have an 11-month eligibility, instead of a full year. The deadline for eligibility is usually September 30, but it’s been moved up to August 31 (next week) just for this one year.
Anyway … it’s almost pointless to discuss U2′s chances to win ANY Grammy Awards right now, because we don’t know in which categories they’ll get nominated and who the competition will be. But if you want to hash out their chances in the comments, go for it. And please, don’t turn the discussion into a “I love NLOTH” vs. “I hate NLOTH” debate. That’s old news.
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I like NLOTH’s chances. I agree; it’s a no-brainer that it’ll be nominated. As for its chances of winning, it’s atypical of most of the mainstream music that will be contending, and I think that works to its advantage. Also, Grammy loves U2 (sorry, Blackberry, but you have to share!), and that helps.
Given the amount effort that the U2 has put on this album, it is by far their 3rd best piece of work after Achtung and Joshua. Add the fact that their 360 tour is a world wide phenomenon, they should not only win the grammys, but also Artist of the year
No way it’ll win Album of the Year. Here’s why:
First, the Grammys value both artistry and sales, especially nowadays when the music industry feels so threatened. NLOTH was a solid artistic effort and has been nothing to scoff at sales-wise in absolute terms, but relative to U2′s past work, and (more importantly) relative to the other almost-certain nominees, it’s been a disappointment.
Second, the Grammys tend to be very conservative about Album of the Year. Only Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, & Paul Simon have won it three times. ATYCLB, you’ll recall, ended up with an incredible SEVEN Grammys — two Records of the Year, One Song of the Year, Two Best Rock Duos or Group with Vocal, One Best Pop Duo or Group with Vocal, and won Rock Album of the Year to boot — but STILL didn’t win Album of the Year. I’ve always interpreted HTDAAB’s Best Album win as righting this wrong. Now, though, the Grammys owe U2 nothing.
Third, and this relates to the first point, I think that U2′s lagging sales mean the Grammys will want to prop up a new artist.
Fourth, while I like NLOTH, I don’t think it’s as “Grammy” as their last two albums (and that’s a good thing).
It will win at least one Grammy.
You know who deserves a Grammy? Neil Young. The third most influential songwriter in rock histoyr and he’s never won one. Not one.
A comment has been deleted. Again, this isn’t the place for “NLOTH sucks” or “NLOTH rocks.” Been there, done that.
I should say that my ealier dour outlook on NLOTH’s Grammy chances was based on the erroneous assumption that Coldplay was up this year for Viva La Vida. In fact, that album was up last year. I still think U2′s chances are low, but I think splitting the vote is less likely now.
Of course, after all is said and done, I really, really just don’t care about the Grammys.
I absolutely believe that they will be nominated for a crapload of awards because I love U2 myself. I also believe that Green Day’s “21st Century Breakdown” will be a contender. Although it hasn’t received as heavy promotion like “American Idiot”, it’s really much, much better than that. The same with NLOTH; I wish they promoted it more, but it’s still a fantastic album. Has anyone else seen the U2 “Linear” film? Great stuff.
Also, seeing that there have been SO MANY comebacks this year (Beyonce, Britney, Eminem, Black Eyed Peas, etc.), they have some huge competition at any award!
I think NLOTH will get it’s second wind this fall when U2 tours the US, which will help it’s chances with the Grammys.
NLOTH is a ‘SHOE IN’!
SO GET ON YOUR BOOTS!!!
I think it’s going to win at least a few. But for some reason I don’t think it’ll get Album of the Year, partly because U2 just won one of those for HTDAAB. It really depends on who they’re competing against this time, too. NLOTH is a kind of unusual album and isn’t very “mainstream” (which I like). If NLOTH *did* get Album of the Year, though, that would really help its sales go up, as will the tour.
NLOTH might end up being nominated for Best Alternative Music Album like Zooropa in 1993 which won by the way!
Despite varying perceptions about the success of the album, I honestly believe that U2 have come very close to producing an album where every song is a notable achievement. From the billowing start(come on – who wasn’t taken aback when they first heard no line on the horizon?)to the thought provoking and sombre cedars of lebanon, every single song engages it’s desired emotional target, whether it be elation, surrender, desolation or just a kind of primal yearning.It is for this reason I agree that this is the superior work of the three albums released this decade and therefore a worthy Grammy contender.
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The LA Times is usually pretty good at picking winners. Here’s hoping they’re right.