A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

THE OVER-UNDER ON GREEN DAY NOMINATIONS IS 4: Under the official rules, yesterday marked the end of the Grammy eligibility year, so it should come as no huge surprise that one big album snuck in under the radar--under the current rules, if the album's available for download, it's eligible, even if you can't buy the album in stores--I'm actually surprised that "Extraordinary Machine" wasn't hustled out to make the deadline. Other late breakers seem likely to be Sheryl Crow's oddball "Wildflower" and the "Rent" movie score. So bearing that in mind, what are my "For Your Consideration" picks?

• "Breakaway," Kelly Clarkson--Album of the Year--Spawned 3 inescapable top 10 singles with a 4th one going strong now. "Since U Been Gone" seems the likeliest to get Record and Song of the Year nods.
• "Late Registration," Kanye West--Album of the Year--Duh. "Gold Digger" looks like a cinch for Record of the Year too.
• "Mr. Brightside," The Killers--Record of the Year--80s throwback coupled with bizarre lyrics. Yeah!
• "Breathe (2 AM)," Anna Nalick--Record and Song of the Year--The rest of her album is kinda meh, but this song is just incredible. Nalick would be a sensible contender for Best New Artist, too.

My prediction for "pedestrian album/artist that gets excessive recognition" this year? Mariah Carey, with nods all over the place for "We Belong Together" and "The Emancipation of Mimi." (Also, because the album is ineligible, Green Day's "likely nomination number" drops.) Other suggestions are invited.