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Once again the Grammy Awards have come and gone, but behind the festive night of pomp and circumstance there is usually an air of disappointment. The collaborations and performances are great, but it’s never fun when crappy artists end up winning awards. Here’s how I would have picked some of the most popular categories.

Album of the Year: “The Fame” by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga totally dominated pop music last year, so what better way to top things off than giving her the nod for best album? It was a pop masterpiece: danceable, dirty and, most of all, fun. Lady Gaga might be a little crazy, but for the most part her music speaks louder than her outfits. “The Fame” catapulted her to stardom and made her a superstar, which is what a great pop album should do. Her competition in this category doesn’t even come close.

Song of the Year: “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga

I’ll take Lady Gaga over Beyonce any day. “Poker Face” wasn’t Lady Gaga’s best song, but as far as singles go, it was up there. It even inspired an intense remix featuring Kid Cudi, Common and Kanye West. The Kings of Leon are a close second. Even though this band is highly overrated, “Use Somebody” was super catchy and very well-orchestrated. Bottom line is this award should not go to Taylor Swift — anyone else is OK.

Best New Artist: MGMT

MGMT are one of those artists I can distinctly remember the first time I heard their music. It was so new and different I was completely blown away. Like anything new, it took some getting used to. Their singles are catchy and artistically beautiful, but their deeper cuts are even better. I am really excited for their follow-up to see if these two dudes from upstate New York have true staying power.

Best Rock Album: “Horehound” by The Dead Weather

OK, so this album wasn’t actually nominated for a Grammy, but it was by far the best thing that happened to rock music last year. The real nominees — Green Day, U2, Dave Matthews, AC/DC, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood — didn’t create anything as raw and organic as The Dead Weather did. Jack White is the king of rock and roll for this decade and more artists need to start paying attention.

Best Alternative Rock Album: “It’s Blitz” by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

This album marked a distinct new direction for the band, but they not only pulled it off, they excelled. They used down-tempo songs to create beautiful soundscapes instead of blasting listeners out with distorted riffs. Plus, Karen O. is a tough customer, a female rock goddess for the ages. When she yelps, “Get your leather on,” it’s not only a fashion statement, it’s a call to arms. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs do indie right by doing it their own way.

Best Rap Song: “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West

Everything about this song is perfect. “The Blueprint Three” was an immaculate return to the Jay-Z that everybody knows and loves. The tour de force of Roc-A-Fella stars on this track prove why they really do run things. Kanye’s verse is one of his best of all time, enough to prove to all the haters that he didn’t give up rapping just because of “808s and Heartbreak.” Throw your diamonds in the sky; Roc-A-Fella are here to stay.

• The Beat Report: Grammy predictions 101 (February 5, 2009)
• Eminem not Grammy material (February 23, 2001)
• Beat Report: Why do we like the music we like? (October 8, 2009)
• Opinion: We voted, now we need ‘change’ to rid ourselves of sexism (November 13, 2008)
• ‘Somehow when we remember, we awaken’ (March 4, 2002)

This entry was posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010, 5:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.