Last Updated on January 23, 2013 by
2013 Grammy prediction: Best Rock Album nominees
• El Camino, Black Keys
• Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay
• The 2nd Law, Muse
• Wrecking Ball, Bruce Springsteen
• Blunderbuss, Jack White
With Mumford & Sons over in the Best Americana Album category, it seems the battle for Best Rock Album at the 2013 Grammys is between the Black Keys and Jack White. But wait… what about old Grammy favorites Coldplay and Bruce Springsteen? Or Muse, who have won this award in the past?
The Black Keys won two Grammys in 2011 for their last album, beating out Arcade Fire, who went on to win Album of the Year. The blues-rock duo is probably the most popular of the acts nominated, even more than Jack White, who took home a boatload of gramophones with the White Stripes. These two are the leading contenders and will battle it out down to the wire.
I see Coldplay and Springsteen attracting the same kind of voters – mainstream-leaning rock fans who like to reward the longtime veteran favorites. And for that reason, they’ll probably cancel each other out. That’s not to say that these artists aren’t worthy of the nomination. Mylo Xyloto was a solid album, and Wrecking Ball was one of Springsteen’s best records in years. But I suspect they’ll have a hard time winning, given the competition in the category.
Muse is merely an afterthought this year, despite winning this award two years ago. The competition that year was weak (Jeff Beck, Neil Young, Tom Petty), and that is clearly not the case in 2013.
The prediction? The Black Keys edge out Jack White to win the Best Rock Album Grammy.
2013 Grammy Awards: Best Rock Album prediction
Deserves to win: Blunderbuss, Jack White
Will win: El Camino, Black Keys
Should have also been nominated: Banga, Patti Smith
