NPR: All Songs Considered: The Grammys

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From February 9, 2005

How the Grammys Work

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Each year the Grammys hand out awards for nearly every conceivable category of music, from "best jazz instrumental album, individual or group" to "best engineered classical album." Did you ever wonder how it all works? On this edition of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen talks with Ron Roeker, vice president of communications for the Recording Academy about the selection process; plus a look at the "best new artist" category. Below you'll find the five Grammy nominees for best new artist, along with listener and staff picks for best new artist from the past year.

Listen to the Morning Edition recap of the Grammy's.

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Winner: Maroon 5 have been together since the late '90s and made their debut in 2002 with Songs About Jane; but last year's 1.22.03.Acoustic was their first album to reach a significant audience.

Maroon 5

CD: 1.22.03.Acoustic
Song: "She Will Be Loved"
Label: Octone

Listen to "She Will Be Loved"

Nominee: the Los Lonely Boys are brothers Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza from San Angelo, Texas. Their self-titled debut is a collection of "Tex-Mex" songs - a fusion of rock, blues and country with Latin rhythms. We originally featured this tune on our 2004 Summer music show.

Los Lonely Boys

CD: Los Lonely Boys
Song: "Heaven"
Label: Columbia Legacy

Listen to "Heaven"

Nominee: British singer Joss Stone's debut album The Soul Sessions was released in 2003 and featured on All Songs Considered episode 41. Stone was just 16 years old at the time but proved to have a strong voice and instinct for American soul music. Her follow-up, last year's Mind, Body & Soul, earned her an official nomination for best new artist.

Joss Stone

CD: Mind, Body & Soul
Song: "Killing Time"
Label: S-Curve

Listen to "Killing Time"

Nominee: Kanye West spent time producing hits for Jay Z and other rappers before starting his own rapping career with his debut release last year, The College Dropout. Fans have called West the 'everyman rapper' for his easy, sing-song style and sense of humor. He was originally featured on All Songs Considered's collection of the best songs of 2004.

Kanye West

CD: The College Dropout
Song: "School Spirit"
Label: Anti

Listen to "School Spirit"

Nominee: Gretchen Wilson is a contemporary country singer/songwriter from Illinois. Her debut album, Here for the Party entered the country charts at number one and sold more than a quarter of a million copies, the largest opening week for a new country artist on record.

Gretchen Wilson

CD: Here for the Party
Song: "Redneck Woman"
Label: Epic

Listen to "Redneck Woman"

Listener pick: Arcade Fire formed in Montreal in 2003 and released their remarkable debut just a year later. Called Funeral to remember several family members who died the year it was recorded, the album is a mesmerizing collection of intimate, experimental rock.

Arcade Fire

CD: Funeral
Song: "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)"
Label: Merge

Listen to "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)"

Listener pick: Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn is the daughter of artistic parents from Olympia, Washington and sings with what some have called the "sexiest" voice in rock.

Mirah

CD: C'mon Miracle
Song: "We're Both So Sorry"
Label: K Records

Listen to "We're Both So Sorry"

All Songs pick: This Brooklyn-based trio is one of the most unique acts of the new decade, creating a strange sonic experience while exploring sensitive political and cultural issues.

TV On the Radio

CD: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Song: "Dreams"
Label: Touch and Go

Listen to "Dreams"

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Listener pick: Franz Ferdinand is a Glasgow quartet of former art students with a sound that swaggers from the Byrds to Television.

Franz Ferdinand

CD: Franz Ferdinand
Song: "Take Me Out"
Label: Domino

Listen to "Take Me Out"

All Songs pick: A.C. Newman (Carl Newman) is the frontman for the New Pornographers from Vancouver. His first-ever solo release takes cues from classic art rock artists like Queen and Jeff Lynne.

A.C. Newman

CD: The Slow Wonder
Song: "Miracle Drug"
Label: Matador

Listen to "Miracle Drug"

All Songs pick: Iron and Wine became huge favorites in the new-folk movement with this album, a collection of hushed, Southern-flavored story songs.

Iron and Wine

CD: Our Endless Numbered Days
Song: "On Your Wings"
Label: Sub Pop

Listen to "On Your Wings "

All Songs pick: This is the debut release from Ray LaMontagne, a singer/songwriter who sounds like a cross between Otis Redding and Van Morrison. His music is sparse, maudlin with heartfelt, cinematic stories.

Ray LaMontagne

CD: Trouble
Song: "Trouble"
Label: RCA

Listen to "Trouble"

Listener pick: Joanna Newsom is a classically trained musician who reinvents folk music with quirky solo harp arrangements.

Joanna Newsom

CD: The Milk-Eyed Mender
Song: "Sadie"
Label: Drag City

Listen to "Sadie"

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