Third time's the charm?

The Grammy nominees were announced today, and even though they're completely irrelevant, I am cautiously optimistic that this will finally be Kanye's year to win album of the year.

Though he's been nominated twice before, Kanye lost both times to the Grammys' go-to award winners: old people whose music no longer matters (or, more specifically, Ray Charles and U2). When Bono accepted the award two years ago for "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," his first words on the podium were "Kanye: You're next."

Sadly, this year Kanye has the sympathy vote on his side, since his mother recently and unexpectedly died. But more importantly, he's more established now, and while Amy Winehouse is still a media darling (am I the only one who doesn't get this?), I think this is the best shot Kanye has had so far. Then again, old-timer Herbie Hancock is also up for the award, and I wouldn't be surprised if they gave it to him.