Grammys 2012: Who should win?

NARAS

Here are my picks on who I think should take home trophies in selected categories on Sunday.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: While Black Keys put out a great album last year, I'd give it to Foster the People. I'll bet Bennett gets it on the Winehouse sympathy vote.

"Body and Soul" – Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse 

"Dearest" – The Black Keys 

"Paradise" – Coldplay 

"Pumped Up Kicks" – Foster the People 

"Moves Like Jagger" – Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera 

Best Rock Performance: A very tough category. I think The Decemberists deserve it, but Coldplay will probably snag it. Oddly, the same acts are nominated for Best Rock Song.

"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" – Coldplay 

"Down By the Water" – The Decemberists 

"Walk" – Foo Fighters 

"The Cave" – Mumford & Sons 

"Lotus Flower" – Radiohead 

Best Rock Album: While Kings of Leon didn't match the success of their predecessor, I believe it is stronger than the others. Jeff Beck will probably get it as a safe choice. 

Rock 'n' Roll Party (Honoring Les Paul) – Jeff Beck 

Wasting Light – Foo Fighters 

Come Around Sundown – Kings of Leon 

I'm With You – Red Hot Chili Peppers 

The Whole Love- Wilco

Best Alternative Music Album: I'm not on the Radiohead or Bon Iver bandwagons, either will probably win here. I'd go with MMJ or Foster and lean toward MMJ, which was one of my top 20 albums of the year.

Bon Iver – Bon Iver 

Codes and Keys – Death Cab for Cutie 

Torches – Foster the People 

Circuital – My Morning Jacket 

The King of Limbs – Radiohead 

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: Thompson Square is so generic. I'd lobby for The Civil Wars, whose single was the highlight of a fine album. Chesney will probably grab it for this decent duet. I dig Aldean, but Clarkson makes this too histrionic. 

"Don't You Wanna Stay" – Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson 

"You and Tequila" – Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter 

"Barton Hollow" – The Civil Wars 

"Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" – Thompson Square 

Best Folk Album: Civil Wars is the strongest of the lot, although Earle or Vedder could take it.

Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars 

I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Steve Earle
Helplessness Blues – Fleet Foxes 

Ukulele Songs – Eddie Vedder
The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch