Beyoncé is the album is the year no matter what award

I feel like it has lost a lot of momentum, but there's not much competition, is there?

If I wanted to address you specifically and only you, I would send you a personal message. No need to take everything so personal.

I agree. It's predictable and nauseating, the album is utterly mediocre aside from a few highlights. But it seems to be going more his way so far.

Quality-wise, there are COUNTLESS albums that are better.

However, Grammy also considers commercial success, so yeah, she doesn't have much competition.

She'll win and I'll seethe.

If this is really her competition then she got it on LOCK.

Probable AOTY contenders (for nominations) are:

Beyonce
Frozen
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Sam Smith
Jack White
Lana Del Rey
The Black Keys
Coldplay
Sia
Eminem
Miranda Lambert
Katy Perry (they tend to nominate her a lot despite mixed reviews)
Arcade Fire
Pharrell (Happy not eligible)
Beck
Barbra Streisand

No. It's definitely a front runner. It has the universal critical acclaim along with the album sales success (top selling female release from 2013)

Nice list!

I bought Ed and Sam's albums. Ed's was cute for a while, I really can't go back to many songs, Sam's is a bit more cohesive but at times it's the same song over and over. He slayed me when I first listened to it though. I think one or the other will get a nom but not both, I'll give Sam the edge right now.

I haven't listened to Lana's but I don't think she'll be a factor, Katy might get a nom for keeping her era up this long and her two huge hits, Frozen will probably snatch a nom but it's potential is dead but due to the winter coming it could boost itself up a bit.

I'll say

Beyonce, Frozen, Katy, Sam and one other random rock art, Arcade Fire type of artists do well here.

Beyonce should win though, she's the veteran with great sales and acclaim. Arcade Fire already won and no other type of band has had any impact this year, maybe Coldplay but they can't take her down. Katy's nom will be her reward, Frozen is really her only competition, it's rare that a soundtrack wins though even gets nominated now a days.

I could see Sam pulling an Adele and snatching everything tbh.

Exactly what I think

It's a tossup between Beyonce and Beck, depending on the whims of the Grammy committee. But I think Beyonce is gonna win just because it'll be the perfect end to the era - just seems like life is going in that direction.

In the Lonely Hour

I wouldn't be surprised if Beck comes around the corner and snatches tbh

Personally there's no clearer winner. This album had me on board the moment I listened/watched it. She deserves this award.

That soundtrack was doing nothing. Eligible or not.

Pharrell has no chance with G I R L.
Sam has a number of things working against him. The album has good songs, but it is not consistently good. Plus, I think that many NARAS members won't want to give Sam a vote in every category and AOTY is the one they will drop.
Ed does a great live concert, but like Sam's album, x has good songs, but too many weaker moments.

The problem for Beyonce is vote splitting. If you prefer pop, you might vote for Ed or Sam's album and R&B voters might prefer Pharrell.

If you prefer Rock/Alternative music there is really only one choice and that is Morning Phase by Beck. Perhaps some minor vote splitting with Ed, but I don't see that as a big factor.

Beyonce or Morning Phase.