IT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT U(2) BUT INDIA.AIRE A SURPRISE IN R&B GRAMMY FIELD.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

Reflecting a wavering appreciation for teen-pop and violent rap, the record academy chose a veteran rock band and a thoughtful new female singer who share a tuneful, uplifting sensibility as front runners in this year's Grammy Awards race.

Irish superstars U2 topped the field for the 44th annual music awards with eight nods, including record, album and song of the year, as expected. The surprise came with r&b newcomer India.Arie's seven nominations.

Arie's ``Acoustic Soul'' debut was targeted for album of the year, while the single ``Video'' was in the running for record and song of the year. The 25-year-old Denver native also got a nod for best new artist.

Most observers didn't think Arie would score as high, figuring instead that better-known neo-soul newcomer Alicia Keys would pull in more nominations.

Many observers figured Keys would come in second. Her widely acclaimed debut, ``Songs in A Minor,'' which sold 4.1 million copies and was among the year's 10 best-selling discs, received six Grammy nods, including record and song of the year for the chart-topper ``Fallin'.''

Arie's record, by comparison, was merely a moderate success. ``Video'' never even cracked the Top 20.

In the top categories, the academy invariably recognizes releases that hit the retail jackpot. But in a year when the music industry suffered a hit of its own and saw sales drop to the tune of 5 percent - a drop of 22 million albums - maybe the singer, not the cash register, hit the loudest notes.

``I don't know what to do,'' said the petite, dreadlocked Arie, who helped announce the nominations Friday in Beverly Hills. ``My spirit is flying, and I want to jump and shout.''

Arie's profile was clearly bolstered as opening act on the top-grossing Sade tour, one of the few must-see music events of 2001, where she was seen and heard, probably for the first time, by a large number of Grammy voters. Keys, too, is an artist best appreciated on stage but didn't hit the road in such a visible way. She instead enjoyed steady radio and MTV exposure.

``It's a surprise, because people told me that 'Fallin' ' would never be on the radio, period,'' Keys said. ``I would be happy to just attend the Grammys, let alone be nominated.''

U2's multiple nods were expected, since the quartet's album, ``All That You Can't Leave Behind,'' was such a critical and mass-ma group's much-anticipated tour proved so popular, it was extended. And last year, U2's ``Beautiful Day'' won Grammys for record and song of the year, but the album came out too late to be eligible.

Among its 2002 nominations, the band competes against itself in the best rock song category with two singles, ``Elevation'' and ``Walk On.''

``U2 Shoo-In Shock'' won't be a common headline when Bono and company win the rock song trophy next month.

While Keys' long-player was left out of the album of the year category, she joined Arie, pop singer Nelly Furtado, electro-folkie David Gray and hard-core rockers Linkin Park in the best new artist derby.

Interestingly, none of the highest-profile categories this year included teen-pop or hard-core rap acts, although both formats were represented elsewhere. Some believe these genres are rapidly losing steam, particularly in the aftermath of Sept. 11.

There's no arguing with contenders for best album. Alongside U2 and India.Arie (whose real last name is Simpson) were Bob Dylan for ``Love and Theft,'' good-natured Atlanta rappers Outkast for ``Stankonia,'' and the bluegrass compilation soundtrack to the film ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?''

The latter effort was the year's most surprising left-field hit, selling more than 3.4 million copies to become the ninth-highest-selling record of 2001.

So, with such a respectable lot of contenders, don't look for the controversy that surrounded last year's awards. While the duet featuring foul-mouthed rapper Eminem and old-school rocker Elton John ultimately fizzled on stage, the much-hyped event gave the media plenty of pre-telecast fodder.

This year's ceremony, to be broadcast Feb. 27 on CBS from Staples Center, just might focus on the music, following a year filled with disappointing releases and a depressed economy - and populace. During the show, Count Basie, Perry Como, Rosemary Clooney, Al Green and Joni Mitchell will be honored as 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Producer Tom Dowd and 1950s DJ Alan Freed will receive Trustees Awards.

With so many minuscule categories, it's almost to the point where your granny might be up for a Grammy. Last February, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences handed out 100 trophies. This year, there's one more - for best rap/sung collaboration, a category honoring songs that combine vocals with rap.

After U2 and Arie, other multiple nominees included classical conductor Pierre Boulez with six, and country singer Alison Krauss, r&b crooner Brian McKnight and Outkast with five each.

Four nods each went to Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler, ``O Brother'' producer T-Bone Burnett, tuneful Bay Area rockers Train, country-folkie Lucinda Williams and Furtado.

It's Grammy time once again. Let the griping begin.

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, box

Photo:

(1) The members of U2 (Adam Clayton, left, Bono, Larry Mullen Jr. and The Edge) led the Grammy pack Friday with eight nominations, including record, album and song of the year.

Suzanne Plunkett/Associated Press

(2) R&B singer India.Arie received seven Grammy nominations, including record and song of the year for ``Video.''

Brian Branch-Price/Associated Press

(3 -- 5) Alicia Keys, left, shown on stage at the House of Blues, snagged six Grammy nominations, including best new artist. Also multiple nominees were Bob Dylan, above right, for his album ``Love and Theft,'' and Nelly Furtado for her song ``I'm Like a Bird.''

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Jeff Zelevansky/Associated Press

(6) Destiny's Child pose at the ceremony Friday announcing the nominees for the 44th Grammy Awards. The singers were also nominated for best R&B performance and album.

Nick Ut/Associated Press

(7) Alison Krauss received five Grammy nominees, mostly for her work with Union Station, but also one as part of the trio (including Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch) who sang ``Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby'' on the ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?'' soundtrack.

(8) Rap group Outkast received five nominations, one for record of the year for ``Ms. Jackson.''

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THE NOMINEES