Mt. Grammy

PEAKING

JUSTIN TIME: Justin Timberlake and Gnarls Barkley: Timberlake is getting great reviews from everyone (except maybe Cameron) and could score major Grammy love. But dark horse Gnarls Barkley makes eccentric music that’s perfect for these “Crazy” times.

CLIMBING

WONDER MAN: James Taylor clone or soulful poet? Either way, John Mayer is destined to be a Grammy perennial.

BRITISH INVASION: Jolly good show by the British acts, but are they just setting the stage for Lily Allen in 2008?

AT BASE CAMP

THE RIGHT MIX: Carrie Underwood math: A little country + a little rock ‘n’ roll + a pinch of piety + a hint of rebellion = a lot of Grammy votes.

REMEMBER THE BEATLES? Arctic Monkeys -- Just a reminder that the Brits can do youthful rock as well as adult pop.

DEEP INTO THE FRAY: The Denver band’s “Over My Head (Cable Car)” makes four minutes feel like four hours.

LOOKING FOR A SHERPA

PLAINS SPOKEN: Jimmy Carter is up for a spoken-word Grammy ... so, why is everyone telling him to shut up?

WHO’S THE BOSS? Rock bards Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen settle for minor, token nominations: So, Zimmy, will the loser now really be later to win?

COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER: “Idlewild” -- “Hey mister, didn’t you used to be in OutKast?”