Lil Wayne, Coldplay get best album Grammy nods

Christina Aguilera performs during the Grammy nominations concert last night at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - Two of the biggest selling albums of the year - Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" and Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" - were nominated for album of the year Grammys yesterday, along with Radiohead for its groundbreaking CD "In Rainbows."

Rounding out the category was singer-songwriter Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman," and Robert Plant's musical collaboration with Alison Krauss, "Raising Sand."

The nominations were unveiled during a live concert special featuring the Foo Fighters, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, and others, designed to provide a grander showcase for music's top awards show.

While Lil Wayne'e "Tha Carter III" was not regarded as his greatest CD, it was the album that made the highly regarded veteran and ubiquitous rapper a pop superstar, thanks to massive hits like "Lollipop" and "A Milli." The CD was the only record this year to sell a million copies in its first week.

Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" was its first album in three years, and was also a huge hit.

Radiohead's "In Rainbows" didn't break sales records, but it was a revolutionary release as well as a critically acclaimed one. It was first released last fall, not in stores, but on the band's website - for a pay-as-you wish model. The CD was a viral sensation, and also shook up the beleaguered recording industry, which is struggling with its traditional business model (although Radiohead later released the album traditionally via a record label).

Plant linked up with Grammy darling and bluegrass artist Krauss for a CD that pushed both in different musical directions, while Ne-Yo, who has produced several smashes for other artists, had success with "Year of the Gentleman."

Also nominated were the Jonas Brothers in the best new artist category. While they have already released two CDs, their latest, "A Little Bit Longer," was their biggest yet in their breakthrough year. The teen sensations join Duffy and Adele, UK singers with a soul bent; singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan; and country act Lady Antebellum.

The Recording Academy typically has announced its nominations like most top awards shows, during a morning news conference. But in an era where awards shows are as commonplace as reality shows, even the top-tier events are finding it hard to stand out.

So the academy put on the prime-time event, which kicked off with past Grammy winner Mariah Carey singing a song from her classic Christmas album, decked out in a short red minidress to give some holiday cheer.

LL Cool J and likely Grammy nominee Taylor Swift were the shows hosts. Swift, who at just 18 has become one of country and pop's best-selling stars, was a best new artist nominee last year.

"The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! - Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," held at the Nokia Theatre, will also celebrate the opening of the new Grammy Museum next door. The Grammy Awards are scheduled for live broadcast on CBS on Feb 8. Last year's show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.