This is a music blog, so when I saw a commercial for tomorrow night’s Grammy Awards I said, “I suppose I have to write about that now.” I wasn’t thrilled about it because I haven’t been thrilled about the Grammy Awards at any point in my life.
I haven’t been thrilled about the Grammys because the Grammys don’t cover music that thrills me. There are no big televised award shows for psychedelic, shoe gaze, dark wave, punk rock, outlaw country, or world music. The Grammy Awards cover music that isn’t on my radar, which shows how far my radar is from contemporary popular music. For instance…
Record of the Year
I’ve heard one of the five nominees – “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Before reading the list of nominees, however, I couldn’t have told you who did this song. It was a song I first heard as a parody in a YouTube video about the last Avengers movie.
Album of the Year
I’ve heard of all but one of the nominees (Chris Stapleton). I hope Alabama Shakes win because they actually rock.
Song of the Year and Best New Artist
Two categories in which I have no idea about any of the nominees. I don’t know if I’ve heard any of the nominees for Song of the Year, and you could tell me that all the Best New Artist nominees are actually the members of Slipknot without their masks and I’d probably believe you. Speaking of Slipknot…
Best Metal Performance
Who knew that Slipknot was (A) still making records and (B) nominated for a couple Grammys this year? Not I, because I’m not a fan of “bro rock” or screamo. Good for Slipknot and their fans, I guess, but I think it would be hysterical if Ghost wins since they have their tongues firmly in cheek. I’m also wondering why Motorhead wasn’t nominated, because Bad Magic is the best metal album in years.
Best Dance / Electronic Album
I was happy to see Caribou’s Our Love is nominated. I don’t have the record, but Caribou is playing at Levitation Austin this year and was already high on my must-see list there. Flying Lotus is also playing there, and he’s nominated for Best Dance Recording.
Other categories
I have no idea who any of the country nominees are, and I barely know any of the rap nominees. I’ve heard of some of the rap nominees, but couldn’t name one song by any of them. I haven’t bought a rap album since Mos Def’s last record and I haven’t found a country record I’ve liked since Corb Lund’s 2012 record.
I don’t know if I’ll watch the Grammys. I may be too busy doing other stuff, like writing about music I actually enjoy. Let me know what you thought, however, of the winners, losers, performances, and appearances.
Keep your mind open.
