Big Winners.
Uh. Not sure where my brain went. I wrote this a week ago and didn't hit publish. Better late than never?
Everyone knows the awards-specific portion of the Grammy's is sometimes a little off. The judges sometimes don't even have to listen to the songs ahead of time to vote on them. There's a seniority old-boys club type thing.
That said, I'm stoked to hear Arcade Fire took away the top award last night. Especially when it was up against drivel like Katy Perry. I would have been okay with Eminem winning this too.
Speaking of Katy Perry, if any of you were watching the live show, you noticed how unbelievably saccharine her performance was. She was wearing a Candyland-meets-disco outfit, swinging (well, holding on for dear life) from something that looked straight out of Mrs. Havisham' garden, and her backdrop was her own freakin' wedding video. Seriously?
I felt embarassed for everyone who enjoyed it, and when the camera flashed on Nicole Kidman happily singing along like she was in her own "Teenage Dream," I sorta cringed and reconsidered watching her next film. It was kind of like when your mom used to lick her hand and wipe your face with it. Icky.
And what was up with John Mayer? Alcohol, for sure. But he seemed physically slowed down so I'm gonna say something stronger was also at play. How obvious was he when singing the Dolly Parton tribute with Norah Jones (great choice!) and Keith Urban? Dude, you have to use the teleprompter to sing "Jolene"? Why didn't you just turn down the gig? Jack White's already got a killer version, and he does your look better than you, anyway.
I'm lately writing a column called "Groove Advisory" for AltDaily. You can read more of my Grammy thoughts
here.
List of Winners:
Record of the Year: "The Suburbs," Arcade Fire
Album of the Year:
Need You Now Lady Antebellum
Song of the Year: "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
New Artist: Esperanza Spalding
Pop Vocal Album:
The Fame Monster Lady Gaga
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group: "Hey Soul Sister," Train
Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Bad Romance," Lady Gaga
Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Just The Way You Are," Bruno Mars
Rock Song: "Angry World," Neil Young
Rock Album:
The Resistance Muse
R&B Song: "Shine," John Legend & The Roots
R&B Album:
Wake up! John Legend & The Roots
Rap Solo Performance: "Not Afraid," Eminem
Rap Song: "Empire State of Mind," Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Rap Album:
Recovery Eminem
Female Country Vocal Performance: "The House That Built Me," Miranda Lambert
Male Country Vocal Performance: "'Til Summer Comes Around," Keith Urban
Country Performance by a Duo or Group: "Need You Now," Lady Antebellum
Country Album:
Need You Now Lady Antebellum
Latin Pop Album:
Paraiso Express Alejandro Sanz
Contemporary Jazz Album:
The Stanley Clarke Band The Stanley Clarke Band
Classical Album:
Verdi: Requiem Riccardo Muti, conductor
Traditional Gospel Album:
Downtown Church Patty Griffin
Dance Recording: "Only Girl (In The World)," Rihanna
Electronic Dance Album:
La Roux La Roux
Alternative Music Album:
Brothers The Black Keys
Spoken Word Album:
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Audiobook) Jon Stewart
