Photos:: Grammy nominations 2015: Snubs and surprises

Beck’s “Morning Phase” is another album not widely forecast to compete for the Grammys’ biggest prize. With its hand-played arrangements and moody introspection, it satisfies the rootsy hankering that’s led the academy to recently honor Adele and Mumford & Sons.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Pharrell Williams’ ubiquitous “Happy” was similarly — and just as weirdly — ignored for record of the year. But the singer-producer can hardly complain: His “Girl” turned up in the prestigious album category, a hefty acknowledgment for a rather lightweight collection.  (Bethany Mollenkof / Los Angeles Times)

Full of intimate, small-scale tunes about everyday people, Brandy Clark’s “12 Stories” was nominated for country album alongside splashier efforts from Miranda Lambert and Eric Church. Even more surprising was low-profile Clark’s nomination for best new artist.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Another instance of the Grammys’ appetite for the rustic: Hozier’s nod for song of the year with “Take Me to Church,” the rough-hewn folk-rock track captured listeners’ attention but made nowhere near the mainstream impact of “Happy,” “Let It Go” or “Drunk in Love.”  (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

No one has ever thought of Coldplay as a particularly hard-rocking band. But in the eyes of Grammy voters, it may not a rock band at all: “Ghost Stories,” the gentle English group’s latest, is up against records by Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus for the pop vocal album prize.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Katy Perry’s album “Prism” was largely shut out of the categories announced so far, something of a surprise given that 2010’s “Teenage Dream” was nominated for album of the year. “Prism” reflects her struggle though divorce, a heavy-duty subject matter that typically attracts voters.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Often a source of (presumably unintended) hilarity, the rock categories are fairly respectable this year, with Paramore, the Black Keys and Jack White among those in the running for rock song.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Usher’s 2014 hasn’t gone as expected. In November, the R&B star played Staples Center in ostensible support of a record that has yet to be released. Yet “Good Kisser” picked up two nominations, one for R&B performance and one for R&B song.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar hasn’t released his followup to last year’s celebrated debut album, “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”, but “i” — an infectious slice of uplifting hip-hop released just days before the end of the eligibility period — is up for rap song and rap performance.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

After a long summer in which one could scarcely avoid its No. 1 hit “Rude,” the Canadian band Magic! might’ve seemed a sure thing for a nomination or two. Instead, the reggae-pop troupe received none. Grammy voters — why they gotta be so rude?  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)