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The Lumineers, who begin their crossover to Top 40 in the coming weeks, could be the first successful Alternative to Top 40 cross on an indie label that we can remember.

LENNY BEER ON RECORDS: 10 THOUGHTS FOR A HOT AUGUST NIGHT

Our Esteemed Editor-in-Chief Ruminates on Current Events in the Biz
1. With most observers expecting a duel between Mumford & Sons and Frank Ocean for Best Album Grammy, I keep wondering what role will be played by the Black Keys and whether their early release date will hurt their chances for big nominations. Clearly, the album and “Lonely Boy” single demand attention.

2. Speaking of Grammys, this year could find Best New Artist as the most interesting race of all. Lumineers, Alabama Shakes, Gotye, Of Monsters and Men, Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino, One Direction, fun., Ed Sheeran, Avett Brothers, Lana Del Rey and Mac Miller pop off the top of my head as immediate contenders for the five slots.

3. Final add Grammys: Is Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” a total lock for Song of the Year? I vote yes.

4. The Lumineers, who begin their crossover to Top 40 in the coming weeks, could be the first successful Alternative to Top 40 cross on an indie label that we can remember. Richard Palmese has assembled an all-star team to bring this one home, and I’m betting he succeeds.

5. Has anyone noticed the solid staying power of the Justin Bieber album? Kudos to Scooter Braun, Steve Bartels and everyone involved in this major winner.

6. And on the subject of staying power, could One Direction be the new Adele? One million sold and a fixture in the Top 10. I’ll bet Richard Griffiths is drinking some expensive wine at dinner these days.

7. Hot rapper 2 Chainz is bigger than you think. Online outlets have all been reporting exceptional numbers for the past month or so. A #1 album sales debut next week is only the tip of the iceberg.

8. Frank Ocean, Frank Ocean, Frank Ocean… If you haven’t really spent time with the album, I cannot recommend highly enough that you do so. It is brilliant upon first listen, and gets better and better and better and better each time after.

9. Ed Sheeran intrigues me. I need to spend some real time with his album.

10. I found the Olympics and the Olympic coverage to be amazing this year. Kudos to NBC for their storytelling, commentators and camerawork. I especially loved the stop-action diving and the underwater swimming shots. However, I found the Closing Ceremony to be appalling and decidedly lowbrow. For that, though, I don’t blame NBC.

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Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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