On February 2nd, Grammy voters have an opportunity to show that rock and roll isn’t just a relic from the past but a genre with a bright and glorious future ahead.
Let’s find out if the numerous braggy posts on social media by assertive baby boomers claiming that no good rock songs have been made since 1972 are merely hot air or if there’s some truth to their claims.
I fear the Recording Academy may fail the test.
Who will win in the Rock categories at the 2025 Grammy Awards?
As a fellow boomer, I express my concern: The 67th Grammys have the potential to extinguish rock and roll forever, which would truly be regrettable.
Being a boomer myself, I voice my worry: If the 67th Grammy Awards were to wipe out rock and roll, it would be a great loss, and that’s something we should all aim to avoid.
In the Grammy categorization system, Rock, Metal, and Alternative Music falls under Field 2, following General Field and Pop/Dance. This field consists of six categories. In this intricate structure, “rock” is eligible for awards in performance, album, and song categories, while “alternative” is only recognized for performance and album. “Metal” recognition is limited to the performance category alone. It seems that, as per the Grammys’ complex classification system, metal hasn’t yet earned sufficient recognition to be honored with its own album award.
I could talk for hours about what sets rock apart from alternative music (but honestly, I don’t really know the answer, because even after studying the Grammys, their reasoning still eludes me).
So, with the future of music on the line, let’s do some predicting.
Rock Performance
The competition is clearly defined. We have three groups that have emerged in the past two decades, and another trio that has been active for over three decades. In my opinion, it’s hard to ignore a standout favorite.
The song isn’t called “Dark Matter,” which is an ordinary track off Pearl Jam’s self-titled album. It’s not problematic; it’s simply not exceptional enough to win awards. Similarly, it’s not “Gift Horse,” a solid tune from the British rock band Idles, who fall on the younger side of this musical category. In simpler terms, these songs are good but not outstanding examples of their respective artists or genres.
In simpler terms, “The Black Keys’ ‘Beautiful People (Stay High)’ leans more towards an alternative music style in my opinion, yet it doesn’t seem like a standout rock performance to me. Conversely, ‘The American Dream is Killing Me’ by Green Day feels like a strong contender and could potentially win. While it could have fit well on the 20-year-old ‘American Idiot’ album, this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of rock music, but there are other options I prefer.
The song you’re referring to is known as “Broken Man,” which belongs to the genre of rock and roll. Despite the fact that it might not be entirely novel in the realm of rock and roll, given its history, if there’s any indication of the future of this genre, St. Vincent (Annie Clark’s project) would surely be a front-runner for it.
If you trust betting odds, it’s predicted that a song, “Now and Then,” originally recorded long before most of us were born, will be the standout rock performance of 2024. I’m a big fan of The Beatles. Just thinking about the advanced technology required to release a new single in modern times – “Now and Then” – after the band disbanded is mind-blowing. Yet, suggesting that this song represents the greatest rock performance ever made in 2024 implies that rock & roll has evolved into something as ancient as Gregorian chants or opera. It’s become a relic to be displayed in a museum.
In simpler terms, when arranging all Beatles songs, “Now and Then” would likely be placed somewhere between numbers 90 and 110 (though this isn’t an official ranking). If the 90th-ranked Beatles song surpasses the top rock performances of 2024, it could mean that rock music has reached its peak.
I acknowledge that it seems the Beatles will probably take this, but I’m holding onto some optimism. My prediction leans towards “The Broken One.
Metal Performance
The Grammy recognition given to metal includes both veterans and fresh faces, similar to the rock performance category. It seems to me this could turn into a struggle between the old and the new. Frankly, I’d find it less upsetting if Metallica won for “Screaming Suicide” than I would be with The Beatles winning.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Metallica remains an active rock group. In fact, they were awarded this specific prize just a year ago for “72 Seasons,” and they stand out as the leading force in this particular category, boasting seven Grammy Awards for Metal Performance to their name.
I’d find it surprising if an even older band like Judas Priest won the “Crown of Horns” award for a decent, albeit not their best, song titled “Cellar Door,” considering that the progressive metal group Spiritbox is also in contention.
In simpler terms, the song “Mea Culpa” by Gojira is quite impressive, but I’m not convinced it will win against Metallica. The potential contender that could upset Metallica is “Suffocate” by Knocked Loose, a hardcore band from Kentucky. Interestingly, they’ve gained significant momentum with the help of Poppy, which is unusual in the metal genre. This modern metal track is very impactful. However, I believe it may not be enough to prevent Metallica’s “Screaming Suicide” from winning its 10th Grammy award.
Alternative Performance
Another option just seems a bit strange, but I believe they prefer it that way. In the performance category, we also acknowledge the veterans such as Kim Gordon and Nick Cave, yet it doesn’t feel like they are merely reminiscing about the past because they have consistently produced significant work without receiving any Grammy recognition for decades.
From my perspective, Cave isn’t looking likely to win, but Gordon seems to have a good chance. It would certainly catch us off guard, yet it would bring joy to many veteran punk and hardcore enthusiasts, as they feel her contributions with Sonic Youth are undervalued in today’s context.
This category is frequently the subject of heated discussions due to both its nominated works and those it overlooks. Beth Gibbons, for instance, might have been included for her album “Lives Outgrown“. Just like Gordon, her collaborations with the more recognized band Portishead have generally been disregarded by award committees. Similarly, Hozier’s song “Too Sweet” or any Vampire Weekend release could have earned a nomination. However, none of these were nominated in the end.
In simpler terms, I think Cage the Elephant might not win this time, but Fontaines D.C. and St. Vincent’s “Broken Man” are strong contenders. I can’t figure out why “Flea” is classified as alt, while “Broken Man” is rock. If it were up to me, I’d choose “Flea”. Since I’ve already chosen “Broken Man” for the Rock category, I’ll select Fontaines D.C.’s “Starburster” in this instance.
Rock Album
Among the seven contenders we have, it’s best to move swiftly. The Black Crowes and Idles seem less likely to win. Pearl Jam and Jack White would certainly delight their followers, but I believe Jack White deserves significant recognition. However, they are still considered underdogs, just not as much as the others.
One group consists of a young band, another of middle-aged musicians, and a third of veterans – all are vying for the Grammy award. “Saviors” is an excellent album by Green Day, with a fantastic tour to back it up this year. If Grammy voters find themselves indecisive between fresh and seasoned talent, it could clinch the prize. The “fresh” contender is Fontaines D.C’s “Romance”. The seasoned competitors are the Rolling Stones and their album, “Hackneyed Diamonds”.
In another words, I’ll make sure my personal preferences don’t influence my opinion. I’ve previously stated that the Stones album is decent, though not extraordinary, and that might be sufficient for this year. A victory for “Hackneyed Diamonds” wouldn’t spell the end of rock & roll as the Beatles’ win would, simply because “Hackneyed Diamonds” is a superior rock piece compared to “Now and Then.” However, it won’t be a good image. I might not want it to win, but I believe the Stones will claim the award this year.
Alternative Album
In simpler terms, Nick Cave and Kim Gordon have been nominated twice in the Alternative Performance category. Brittany Howard and Clairo are pushing the boundaries of what’s considered alternative music, which is positive. Unfortunately, neither of them received an Alt Performance nomination, making it less likely that they will win.
With nominations in four out of six categories at this field, St. Vincent (the artist) still has a chance to win with her album “All Born Screaming“. It’s expected that she will take home the award.
Rock Song
Once more, I find myself drawn to St. Vincent’s “Broken Man”. Perennial favorites such as Green Day and Pearl Jam often make an appearance in competitions like this. Just putting it out there, if anyone is going to overshadow Annie Clark’s celebration, it might just be Green Day with their track “Dilemma”.
As a passionate gamer, I firmly believe that St. Vincent, backed by the dynamic energy of Fontaines D.C. and Idles, is going to breathe new life into the genre of rock & roll. They’re not just preserving it; they’re taking it out of the dusty museum halls and making it relevant again!
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2025-02-02 20:02