by Dylan Jones
Canadian newcomer Alanis Morissette told us we oughta know -- and apparently the music industry agreed. Riding recording success from her single "You Oughta Know," Morissette on Thursday tied Mariah Carey for most Grammy nominations for 1995, at six each. Morissette, who changed her image from sweet to sour for her U.S. debut "Jagged Little Pill," was up for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Best Female Rock Performer. Carey, these days as familiar to Grammy functions as weak banter among the hosts, was to contend for Record of the Year, Best Pop Album, and Album of the Year for her most recent offering, "Daydream."
Overall, the nominations were dominated by female acts. Singer Joan Osborne got five nominations for her critical hit "Relish," while Pop/R&B trio TLC also received 5, including one for Record of the Year, and another for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group ("Waterfalls"). Also up for Best New Artist were R&B singer Brandy and newcomer Shania Twain.
A couple nominations that peaked our interest:
-- Curiosity of the year: Michael Jackson's "HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book I" overcame underwhelmed critics, weak sales and an ad campaign that featured Jackson as Saddam Hussein, to get an Album of the Year nomination.
-- Relief of the year: South Carolina smoothies Hootie & the Blowfish, whose "Cracked Rear View" was the year's top-seller (at more than 10 million copies), will be scarce at the awards: The band was nominated in just two categories due to its border-line release date in 1994 -- Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
Jan. 5, 1996