To say that pop music is nothing more than a barren wasteland of forgettable hooks and empty cliches is about as obvious as Katie Holmes' artificial insemination pregnancy. And nothing quite drove the death knell home for today's current state of affairs more than the announcement of nominations for the 48th annual Grammy Awards this morning. The days of that shiny golden gramophone actually carrying some semblance of prestige have gone the way of Geri Halliwell's career. Credibility has officially flown the co-op.

Among the most blatant head scratchers:

The inexplicable amount of accolades given to Alicia Keys' Unbreakable. I love her like a play cousin, but even I recognize an aural dump when I hear it and this little ditty is a clusterfuck of nonsense masquerading as some trumped-up ode to Black love. It's the offseason of batting cleanup in the NARAS winner's circle, but to even be mentioned as a contender for Best R&B Song when a hook contains the lyrics, "we could fight like Ike and Tina" is clearly on some next shit. Ditto squared for the National Organization of Women's theme in Cater 2 U. Is that all there is?

Omarion actually winding up on a ballot without Ashton Kutcher popping up at the press conference to reassure us it's all a joke.

Beyoncé landing her gift certificate early to Payola 'R' Us for a "blink-and-you-missed-it" inclusion on the damn Roll Bounce soundtrack.

The goddawful hatchet jobs to Luther Vandross standards on the J Records compilation spawning multiple mentions thanks largely to Daddy Warbucks (that's Clive Davis for those in the dark) greasing palms, while Lalah Hathaway's rendition of Forever, For Always, For Love is completely ignored. Motherfucking blasphemy at its worst, I tell ya.

No trace of recognition towards Leela James, Kem, Faith Evans or Kindred the Family Soul?

As expected, the little muppet that could emerged as the frontrunner, garnering multiple nods in the Album, Record & Song of the Year categories in addition to 5 more where those came from. Of course, there's nothing that the Academy loves more than a feel-good comeback story, and there was no story with more TV-movie-of-the-week ingredients than the emancipation of Mimi in 2005. So, consider Mariah Carey a lock to walk away with more than a few door stoppers to cap off her successful rebound from psych ward outpatient to relevant hit maker. Eight was also enough for newcomer John Legend and his fairy godfather, Kanye West.

The partial list of who's in and up for what is listed below.

Record of the Year

• "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey
• "Feel Good Inc.," Gorillaz featuring De La Soul
• "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," Green Day
• "Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani
• "Gold Digger," Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx

Album of the Year

• The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey
• Chaos and Creation In the Backyard, Paul McCartney
• Love. Angel. Music. Baby., Gwen Stefani
• How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2
• Late Registration, Kanye West

Song of the Year

• "Bless the Broken Road," Rascal Flats
• "Devils & Dust," Bruce Springsteen
• "Ordinary People," John Legend
• "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," U2
• "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey

Best New Artist

• Ciara
• Fall Out Boy
• Keane
• John Legend
• Sugarland

Female Pop Vocal Performance

• "It's Like That," Mariah Carey
• "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson
• "Good Is Good," Sheryl Crow
• "I Will Not Be Broken," Bonnie Raitt
• "Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani

Male Pop Vocal Performance

• "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing," Jack Johnson
• "Fine Line," Paul McCartney
• "Walk on By," Seal
• "Lonely No More," Rob Thomas
• "From the Bottom of My Heart," Stevie Wonder

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal

• "Don't Lie," The Black Eyed Peas
• "Mr. Brightside," The Killers
• "More Than Love," Los Lonely Boys
• "This Love," Maroon 5
• "My Doorbell," The White Stripes

Pop Vocal Album

• Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple
• Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson
• Wildflower, Sheryl Crow
• Chaos and Creation In the Backyard, Paul McCartney
• Love. Angel. Music. Baby., Gwen Stefani

Rock Album

• X&Y, Coldplay
• In Your Honor, Foo Fighters
• A Bigger Bang, The Rolling Stones
• How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, U2
• Prairie Wind, Neil Young

Female R&B Vocal Performance

• "1 Thing," Amerie
• "Wishing On A Star," Beyoncé
• "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey
• "Free Yourself," Fantasia
• "Unbreakable," Alicia Keys

Male R&B Vocal Performance

• "Creepin'," Jamie Foxx
• "Ordinary People," John Legend
• "Let Me Love You," Mario
• "Superstar," Usher
• "So What the Fuss," Stevie Wonder

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal

• "So Amazing," Beyoncé & Stevie Wonder
• "Cater 2 U," Destiny's Child
• "If This World Were Mine," Alicia Keys featuring Jermaine Paul
• "So High," John Legend featuring Lauryn Hill
• "How Will I Know," Stevie Wonder featuring Aisha Morris

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

• "Mine Again," Mariah Carey
• "Summertime," Fantasia
• "A House Is Not A Home," Aretha Franklin
• "If I Was Your Woman," Alicia Keys
• "Stay With You," John Legend

Urban/Alternative Performance

• "SupaStar," Floetry
• "Dirty Harry," Gorillaz
• "Dust," Van Hunt
• "Welcome To Jamrock," Damian Marley
• "Ghetto Rock," Mos Def

R&B Song

• "Cater 2 U," Destiny's Child
• "Free Yourself," Fantasia
• "Ordinary People," John Legend
• "Unbreakable," Alicia Keys
• "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey

R&B Album

• Illumination, Earth, Wind and Fire
• Free Yourself, Fantasia
• Unplugged, Alicia Keys
• Get Lifted, John Legend
• A Time 2 Love, Stevie Wonder

Contemporary R&B Album

• Touch, Amerie
• The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey
• Destiny Fulfilled, Destiny's Child
• Turning Point, Mario
• O, Omarion

Rap Solo Performance

• "Testify," Common
• "Mockingbird," Eminem
• "Disco Inferno," 50 Cent
• "Number One Spot," Ludacris
• "U Don't Know Me," T.I.
• "Gold Digger," Kanye West

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group

• "Don't Phunk With My Heart," The Black Eyed Peas
• "The Corner," Common featuring The Last Poets
• "Encore," Eminem featuring Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
• "Hate It Or Love It," The Game featuring 50 Cent
• "Wait (The Whisper Song)," Ying Yang Twins

Rap Song

• "Candy Shop," 50 Cent featuring Olivia
• "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," Kanye West
• "Don't Phunk With My Heart," The Black Eyed Peas
• "Hate It Or Love It," The Game featuring 50 Cent
• "Lose Control," Missy Elliot featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop

Rap Album

• Be, Common
• The Cookbook, Missy Elliot
• Encore, Eminem
• The Massacre, 50 Cent
• Late Registration, Kanye West

Best Reggae Album

• Our Music, Burning Spear
• Welcome To Jamrock, Damian Marley
• The Trinity, Sean Paul
• Clothesdrop, Shaggy
• Black Gold & Green, Third World

Best Short Form Music Video

• "Lose Control," Missy Elliott featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop
• "Feel Good Inc.," Gorillaz featuring De La Soul
• "Feels Just Like It Should," Jamiroquai
• "God's Will," Martina McBride
• "World On Fire," Sarah McLachlan

Labels: award shows, Grammys, music