The nominees for the 2012 Grammy Awards were announced last night, and they feature the usual mix of old standbys, new favorites, occasional head scratchers, and Kanye West snubs.The contenders were announced during a prime-time, star-studded concert that was basically a mini-version of the February awards show, only with the advantage of being much shorter. It may have been a blessing that a rumored reunion of the original lineup of Van Halen did not take place as promised.

West led all nominees with seven total, but only one in a major industry-wide category. Both his hit solo album and his collaboration with Jay-Z, "Watch The Throne" were snubbed for Album of the Year. Adele and Bruno Mars both received nods in all three of the big general categories, Record, Album, and Song of the year. Popular favorites like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Mumford and Sons, Foo Fighters, and Coldplay all got nominations too. Up and comers The Band Perry and Bon Iver will also compete in the Song of the Year and Best New Artist categories.

Read the full story at The Atlantic Wire.