ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Nominees: Adele, "21"; Foo Fighters, "Wasting Light"; Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"; Bruno Mars, "Doo-Wops & Hooligans"; Rihanna, "Loud."
Verdict: Adele's blockbuster reversed the music biz's downward spiral. Bet the house on the deserving "21."
RECORD OF THE YEAR
Nominees: Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"; Bon Iver, "Holocene"; Bruno Mars, "Grenade"; Mumford & Sons, "The Cave"; Katy Perry, "Firework."
Verdict: Adele is rolling in the Grammys. And rightfully so.
SONG OF THE YEAR
Nominees: Kanye West, "All the Lights"; Mumford & sons, "The Cave"; Bruno Mars, "Grenade"; Bon Iver, "Holocene"; Adele, "Rolling in the Deep."
Verdict: I'd vote for Adele's "Someone Like You" but it wasn't nominated. She'll take this trophy anyway.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Nominees: The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Skrillex.
Verdict: Bon Iver is overrated and Minaj is underappreciated. I'd give her the Grammy, but the voters will select crossover country trio the Band Perry.
ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Nominees: Bon Iver, "Bon Iver"; Death Cab for Cutie, "Codes and Keys"; Foster the People, "Torches"; My Morning Jacket, "Circuital"; Radiohead, "The King of Limbs."
Verdict: A strong case could be made for each, but Monsieur Iver, the pride of Eau Claire, Wis., will pocket the prize.
COUNTRY ALBUM
Nominees: Jason Aldean, "My Kinda Party"; Eric Church, "Chief"; Lady Antebellum, "Own the Night"; George Strait, "Here for a Good Time"; Taylor Swift, "Speak Now."
Verdict: Whoever wins, it won't be an upset. I'd vote for Church or Swift, but the academy members will pick Aldean.
RAP ALBUM
Nominees: Jay-Z & Kanye West, "Watch the Throne"; Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter IV"; Lupe Fiasco, "Lasers"; Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday"; Kanye West, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy."
Verdict: The Grammys didn't show Kanye any love in album of the year, but he'll get honored here -- for his Jay-Z collaboration rather than the superior "Twisted Fantasy."