GRAMMY NOMS COME ALIVE

First, the official tally: Lil Wayne wins the primary contest with eight noms, followed by Coldplay, with seven, and Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West with six apiece, while Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan snagged five each. Scoring four were Adele, Danger Mouse, Eagles, Lupe Fiasco, George Strait, Jennifer Hudson and T.I.

As for the initial impression, it appears that the Academy has finally made some headway in its continuing attempts during the Portnow era to gently prod the constituency into the 21st century. Radiohead, M.I.A. and Kings of Leon, for starters. First impression—this is one tasty batch.

But not everyone is applauding this year's selections. Lenny Beer, our esteemed Editor in Chief, says these are the "worst Grammy noms in years."

Of the five noms for Album of the Year, Radiohead’s In Rainbows has to stand as the biggest surprise, despite its status as both an aesthetic and pop-cultural milestone. Score one for the Academy right there. Actually, when you think about it, the idea of an out-there dude like Lil Wayne being a contender for Album of the Year would’ve seemed far-fetched at this time last year, though most handicappers had him in the mix.

For the first time, the key noms were announced on a primetime TV special integrating performances of past Grammy-winning songs by the likes of Christina Aguilera, John Mayer and Mariah Carey. The show, which aired from the Nokia Theatre in downtown L.A., was co-hosted by Taylor Swift and LL Cool J.

Here’s our CNN Headline News version of the nominees in a bunch of the major categories. For the whole enchilada, go to this page on Grammy.com.

Album of the Year: Coldplay, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends; Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III; Ne-Yo, Year of the Gentleman; Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Raising Sand; and, in a surprise (), Radiohead, In Rainbows.

Record of the Year: Adele, “Chasing Pavements”; Coldplay, “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends”; Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”; M.I.A., “Paper Planes”; Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, “Please Read the Letter”

Best New Artist: Adele, Duffy, the Jonas Brothers, Lady Antebellum and Jazmine Sullivan

Song of the Year: "American Boy," William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West (Estelle featuring Kanye West); "Chasing Pavements," Adele Adkins & Eg White (Adele); "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz; "Love Song," Sara Bareilles;"Viva La Vida," Coldplay

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group: "Viva La Vida," Coldplay; "Waiting in the Weeds," Eagles; "Going On," Gnarls Barkley; "Won't Go Home Without You," Maroon 5; and "Apologize," OneRepublic

Best Pop Vocal Album: Detours, Sheryl Crow; Rockferry, Duffy; Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles; Spirit, Leona Lewis; Covers, James Taylor

Best Rock Album: Viva La Vida, Coldplay; Rock N Roll Jesus, Kid Rock; Only, the Night, Kings Of Leon; Death Magnetic, Metallica; Consolers of the Lonely, the Raconteurs

Best R&B Performance, a Duo or Group: "Ribbon in the Sky,” Boyz II Men; "Words,” Anthony David featuring Indie.Arie; "Stay With Me (By the Sea),” Al Green featuring John Legend; "I'm His Only Woman,” Jennifer Hudson featuring Fantasia; "Never Give You Up,” Raphael Saadiq featuring Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton

Best Rap Album: American Gangster, Jay-Z; Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne; The Cool, Lupe Fiasco; Nas, Nas; and Paper Trail, T.I.

Best Country Collaboration: "Shiftwork,” Kenny Chesney and George Strait; "Killing the Blues,” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; "House of Cash,” George Strait & Patty Loveless; "Life in a Northern Town,” Sugarland, Jake Owen and Little Big Town; and "Let The Wind Chase You,” Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban

Country Album: That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson; Sleepless Nights, Patty Loveless; Troubadour, George Strait; Around the Bend, Randy Travis; Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love, Trisha Yearwood

Producer of the Year: Danger Mouse, Nigel Godrich, Johnny Karkazis, Rick Rubin, and will.i.am