The GRAMMY Nominations just rolled out, signaling the start of Awards Season … although a few ceremonies have already come and gone in recent months, in what seems to be an effort to extend the life of statuettes. Hollywood Film Awards? Yeah, no thanks.

I do love Awards Season in its traditional form, though, and as per usual I’m scanning the list and musing on the odd mention here and there. Some of my preliminary thoughts:

Best Pop Vocal Album

This category has quite the range, including Miley Cyrus’ irritatingly misspelled Bangerz as well as Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith’s much-more-excellent albums, X and In the Lonely Hour, and some Katy Perry and Coldplay mixed in for good measure. I feel a bit removed from this category as I’m not up-to-date with all of the music included, especially Nikelodeon’s latest Trick-at-Nite Ariana Grande’s. But I hope the singer-songwriters win out — namely Sam or Ed as I mentioned before and not necessarily Coldplay — which I feel is on the list solely to cover the awards show’s 35 – 45 age demographic.

Best Urban Contemporary Album

This is not a new category — it was added in 1958 — but I’m still confused by what an urban contemporary album is, especially when two nominees are entertainment powerhouses (Beyonce and Pharrell), two I’ve never heard of (Mali Music and Jhene Aiko, sorry) and one doesn’t bear mentioning.

Best New Artist

With the understanding that I-G-G-Y will probably be walking home with the Gramophone, I’m glad to see HAIM on the list.

Best Pop Solo Performance

I see what you did there, Pharrell and John Legend. You submitted live versions of your hits because the studio versions weren’t eligible. Crafty.

Best Metal Performance

Tenacious D is nominated for best Metal Performance. I repeat, Tenacious D is nominated for best Metal Performance.

Best Rap Song

It took nine people to write Kanye West’s ‘Bound 2,’ and Kim Kardashian wasn’t one of them.