The 2009 Grammy Nominations were announced last night via a first-ever televised primetime concert starring Christina Aguilera, John Mayer and Mariah Carey. The show also marked the grand opening of the new Grammy Museum, which officially opens to the public this weekend. People Magazine says

The event was cohosted by Taylor Swift and LL Cool J. Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West were other top Grammy nominees – each with six nods. Radiohead was nominated for five awards, as were Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Album of the year contenders included Coldplay (Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends); rapper Lil Wayne (Tha Carter III); Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (Raising Sand); R&B singer Ne-Yo (Year of the Gentleman); and British alt-rock heroes Radiohead (In Rainbows). Pop-rock trio the Jonas Brothers led the list of best new artist nominees, along with British soul singers Adele and Duffy.

CBS will broadcast the 51st Grammy Awards live from Los Angeles’s Staples Center on Feb. 8.

In what bizarre world is Radiohead pitted against the likes of L’il Wayne and Ne-Yo? That’s like comparing the proverbial apples and oranges. Critically acclaimed, actual-instrument-playing apples and spoken-word-over-tracks-they’ve-lifted-from-other-more-talented-apples’-songs oranges. It’s not even fair. Perhaps next year they can create a category for “best crotch grab” and “most convincing slouch-and-squat in front of a bunch of chicks in bikinis’ asses” category. That way, the rappers won’t feel left out, and an actual musician can win Album of the Year. See, everybody wins!

The complete list of categories and nominees after the jump.

Album of the Year
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
• Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
• Year of the Gentleman, Ne-Yo
• Raising Sand, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
• In Rainbows, Radiohead

Record of the Year
• “Chasing Pavements,” Adele
• “Viva la Vida,” Coldplay
• “Bleeding Love,” Leona Lewis
• “Paper Planes,” M.I.A.
• “Please Read the Letter,” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Song of the Year
• “American Boy,” William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle featuring Kanye West)
• “Chasing Pavements,” Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele)
• “I’m Yours,” Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz)
• “Love Song,” Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles)
• “Viva La Vida,” Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)

Best New Artist
• Adele
• Duffy
• Jonas Brothers
• Lady Antebellum
• Jazmine Sullivan

Pop Vocal Album
• Detours, Sheryl Crow
• Rockferry, Duffy
• Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles
• Spirit, Leona Lewis
• Covers, James Taylor

Rap Album
• American Gangster, Jay-Z
• Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
• The Cool, Lupe Fiasco
• Nas, Nas
• Paper Trail, T.I.

Rock Album
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
• Rock N Roll Jesus, Kid Rock
• Only By the Night, Kings of Leon
• Death Magnetic, Metallica
• Consolers of the Lonely, The Raconteurs

Country Album
• That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson
• Sleepless Nights, Patty Loveless
• Troubadour, George Strait
• Around the Bend, Randy Travis
• Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love, Trisha Yearwood