I’m not sure why I watch the Grammys. They have little to no validity about who really put out the best album. It’s a popularity contest at best. However, I still watch.
Please excuse the following stream of consciousness.
Easily the best performance of the show was the opening act from Lady Gaga and surprise guest Elton John. She has a great stage presence and is actually talented unlike many pop stars. Her song “Speechless” is the one where John came in for the duet. You can really hear the Queen/Freddy Mercury, one of Gaga’s biggest influences, sound in this song.
I really hate, or strongly dislike, Green Day. It is a sham their American Idiot album is now a musical on Broadway. I don’t think this gives Green Day more credibility, just Broadway less.
Beyonce’s performance was solid. At least she can sing and looks good doing so.
When is Pink going to go ahead and join the circus? I think it might give a boost sales for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
I honestly think the Grammys legitimize pop while simultaneously bringing down indie music. What makes a best album? Song? Record? Is it iTunes download? Radio spins? Album sales?
Now since CBS and the Grammys only care about ratings it’s logical for them to focus on pop.
The Black Eyed Peas produced one of the most popular albums of the year, The End. They have four No. 1 hits just off that album. While they may be extremely talented in the studio, they leave much to be desired for the stage show. They are one of the few bands who I’d support lip-syncing. They cannot carry a tune.
Jamie Foxx, should stop trying. Go back to playing Ray Charles. And for Slash, stop being a guitar whore. You’ve become nothing more than a collaborator and a guitar hero avatar.
Kings of Leon win for best record of the year. It’s the only album of all the winners that I have on my iTunes.
The Taylor Swift/Stevie Nicks duet started awkwardly enough and continued to the point that most of America now wants Kanye TO grab the mic from her hands.
When will the music industry stop riding off the coattails of Michael Jackson to gain ratings? (Probably when his father does, Oh snap) Also, I love Beyonce rocking the 3D glasses during the tribute to Michael. Those glasses may have been worth the performance, those celebrities look ridiculous.
Also, when did the Jackson kids learn how to speak? Prince was very well spoken, but it didn’t seem genuine, which I know is terrible to say. There have been very few tributes to Jackson that have seemed genuine since his death.
I know I rant about Green Day a lot. They are so overrated it is funny. But if one bad may take the overrated cake it may be Bon Jovi. Besides middle-aged women, who really gets excited about the Jersey-natives?
You know the Grammys are a joke when Lonely Boat get nominated.
“Run This Town” by Jay-Z ft. Rihanna and Kanye West wins best Hip-Hop/Rap collaboration. Kanye was in three of the songs nominated, yet he was not present at the event. Where is he? A) he was probably not invited and B) he’s been at some fashion show in Paris for the past week. C) he tweeted he was sitting on the couch watching TV.
Haiti tribute. I’ll refrain from making a snide comments about this one. Mary J. Blige is truly a great singer and this actually seemed like a meaningful tribute. They song they performed will be available on iTunes tonight.
Make sure that you take in all of Lil Wayne’s performance. It will be his last before he goes to the slammer. What a poor Lil guy.
Who ever this old white dude is, he’s killing the ratings. I was ready to turn off the TV. I guess award shows have to have a diplomat to talk about how great the show is and the history, but if there’s one speech that should get the cutoff music it should be this one.
Dave Matthew’s Band … snooze. I swear all of their songs sound the same. It’s like folk elevator music.
Beyonce wins again, surprise. At least she looks smoking hot winning those awards. My boy J is one lucky guy.
Everyone’s favorite pillow talking musician Maxwell is up next. His music is not really my fav, but I can at least appreciate his singing abilities.
For whatever reason I really like the tributes of all the musicians who have died in the last year. History in a 5-minute time span. Now a tribute to Les Paul. Truly a music legend.
Now for the performance we were all waiting for, Lil Wayne, Drake and Eminem performing “Forever” with Blink 182’s Travis Barker on drums. Dear FCC, stop bleeping things out for multiple seconds at a time. I understand for a split second, but 5-6 seconds is ridiculous.
Drake, Em and Weezy brought more energy to the show than all the other artists of the night combined. Em still has BY FAR the best verse of the song. He really is one of the best hip-hop artists when he’s pissed off. I don’t like the sober Em.
Finally, after 2 ½ hours, album of the year … drum roll … Taylor Swift? Damn, when will she go away? She can thank Kanye for her latest record sales and music awards. Had he not grabbed the mic from her, she may not be standing there getting that shiny award. Though I hate to kid Kanye credit for anything. She’s talented and all, but for her to win album of the year is embarrassing for the Grammys.
They Grammys were anything but special or worthy of remember, but there were some highlights. Lady Gaga, with special guest Elton John, had a great opening performance. I know a lot of people don’t like Gaga, but she really puts on a good show and is talented.
Kings of Leon and Tarantino were hilariously drunk. #drunkatthegrammys
The last performance of “Forever” by Em, Drake, Weezy and Barker was solid. They brought so much energy to the stage. Tonight, this show, for me, was more about evaluating the performances, because the awards part of the show is a joke.
Until next year’s Shammy awards … or the Oscars … peace out.
Dub
