Grammys

[GregC]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

The Black Keys do nothing new and IMHO shouldn't be rewarded for redundancy. But they will be, because that's the name of the game in pop music.

I disagree, but I'm probably more familiar with their full body of work than most. I'm also admittedly biased because I first caught them opening for Beck in 2003, when they were virtually unknown, and their set was a very pleasant surprise.

The latest album is too self-consciously retro for my taste--as always, Grammy voters catch on late. But Rubber Factory, Attack & Release and Brothers are all pretty strong, and both Attack & Release and Blackroc (although it's uneven) break some new ground.

[jerry]

Originally Posted by Pacman

Betwwen the geezers and the hipsters, this thread is crowded.

I see that in a lot of threads. I've always thought musicians should have a larger musical antenna than the average bear and soak in as much as possible before throwing rocks.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by GregC

I disagree, but I'm probably more familiar with their full body of work than most. I'm also admittedly biased because I first caught them opening for Beck in 2003, when they were virtually unknown, and their set was a very pleasant surprise.

The latest album is too self-consciously retro for my taste--as always, Grammy voters catch on late. But Rubber Factory, Attack & Release and Brothers are all pretty strong, and both Attack & Release and Blackroc (although it's uneven) break some new ground.

I definitely would have to step aside on that account as I don't know the depth. I can't say I hate them, I think they are what they are and they do it well. I'd take them over a good portion music in the 2010's so far..won't lie about that.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Pacman

Actually, all opinions are valid, whether backed by information or not.

...which was my point. No matter who you were talking to - the opinion was valid. Which is why I stated "my opinion was valid because it was backed by information".

Needless to say, I think it is safe to assume you either agree with me or referring to someone like me, if not me. But thanks for your non-contribution.

In any case, your snark was about as affectual (to play the quip-game) on me as a rock hitting a freight train - since I can safely assume you won't contribute much to the thread but snark. If you would like to have at least a halfway meaningful conversation, I'm game.

[bassinplace]

Two words: Esperanza Spalding!

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by bassinplace

Two words: Esperanza Spalding!

She upended Norah Jones on my list of musical women I want to creatively experiment with. If you know what I mean.

[Shakin-Slim]

Originally Posted by Tupac

Wait... Beiber was up for best new artist? He was very popular in 2009 or 2010.

Sorry, Esperanza's win over Bieber was in 2011. I should have specified.

Originally Posted by Jhengsman

From the wiki:
The official guidelines are as follows: "For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist." Note that this is not necessarily the first album released by an artist.

Sounds like as soon as you become enough popular the industry will use that for promotion and claim you are a new artist at the point

Yep, right on. Esperanza was around for a long while before her win in 2011.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

In any case, your snark was about as affectual (to play the quip-game) on me as a rock hitting a freight train - since I can safely assume you won't contribute much to the thread but snark. If you would like to have at least a halfway meaningful conversation, I'm game.

Funny that say that. Seems a little disingenuous to me.....

Originally Posted by michael_atw

Because Mumford and Sons is as much Americana/roots as Taylor Swift is country-western.

Originally Posted by michael_atw

I'm not very good at embracing rehashed overdone nonsense.

If I can listen to old bands and hear the same thing almost verbatim, why pay for a new album?

Originally Posted by michael_atw

Yeah...but The Black Keys take "generic" to another level. Even The White Stripes - who do garage rock way better - predate them. I don't get what the hub-dub about them are. They rehash everything common about hard blues and bring absolutely nothing new to the table.

[bassinplace]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

She upended Norah Jones on my list of musical women I want to creatively experiment with. If you know what I mean.

[D.M.N.]

Originally Posted by GregC

I disagree, but I'm probably more familiar with their full body of work than most. I'm also admittedly biased because I first caught them opening for Beck in 2003, when they were virtually unknown, and their set was a very pleasant surprise.

The latest album is too self-consciously retro for my taste--as always, Grammy voters catch on late. But Rubber Factory, Attack & Release and Brothers are all pretty strong, and both Attack & Release and Blackroc (although it's uneven) break some new ground.

I'd have to agree. I've been listening to the Black Keys for a number of years, but I haven't really enjoyed Brothers or El Camino. There's some songs I like, but overall, I thought their earlier output was superior in that it was more "different". Maybe not startlingly original, but different than a lot of stuff.

I will say, however, that I think it's ridiculous that they won Best Rock Song, Rock Performance and Rock Album. I think Blunderbuss was a far better album, on a whole, and Gold on The Ceiling is better than Lonely Boy imho. Although, to be honest, I think Howlin' Rain's Russian Wilds really blew both of those albums entirely out of the water, as well as performances. Too bad they aren't big enough to register on the Grammy's radar.

Other things: Why did Dr. John win best blues album? Don't get me wrong, I love Dr. John, and thought Locked Down was a cool album (if a little too Black Keys-y due to Auerbach), but it's not really blues. *** was that Taylor Swift performance? It was like some Alice in Wonderland acid-trip production...I just...I was at a lost for words at how out of place and character it seemed for her. Carly Rae was robbed for song of the year. Living on a College campus and going to parties, you know what song I don't hear that often? We Are Young. You know what song is god damn inescapable? Call Me Maybe. I don't like the song, but I have to admit it was HUGE.


And finally: Is there a shortage of snare drums? WHERE THE HELL WERE ALL THE SNARE DRUMS!?

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by D.M.N.

I'd have to agree. I've been listening to the Black Keys for a number of years, but I haven't really enjoyed Brothers or El Camino. There's some songs I like, but overall, I thought their earlier output was superior in that it was more "different". Maybe not startlingly original, but different than a lot of stuff.

I will say, however, that I think it's ridiculous that they won Best Rock Song, Rock Performance and Rock Album. I think Blunderbuss was a far better album, on a whole, and Gold on The Ceiling is better than Lonely Boy imho. Although, to be honest, I think Howlin' Rain's Russian Wilds really blew both of those albums entirely out of the water, as well as performances. Too bad they aren't big enough to register on the Grammy's radar.

Other things: Why did Dr. John win best blues album? Don't get me wrong, I love Dr. John, and thought Locked Down was a cool album (if a little too Black Keys-y due to Auerbach), but it's not really blues. *** was that Taylor Swift performance? It was like some Alice in Wonderland acid-trip production...I just...I was at a lost for words at how out of place and character it seemed for her. Carly Rae was robbed for song of the year. Living on a College campus and going to parties, you know what song I don't hear that often? We Are Young. You know what song is god damn inescapable? Call Me Maybe. I don't like the song, but I have to admit it was HUGE.

I just started listening to Alabama Shakes. My glorious God...I hope they make it big.

I don't think Carly Rae Jepsen deserved song of the year any more than Gangnum Style will deserve it next year. Although, I don't think "We are Young" deserved it either but Fun. IMO is superior.

I do enjoy "Gold On the Ceiling"; that song is pretty good genius.

[Wally Malone]

I think the pairings of artists were some of the high points. I thought Adam Levine and Alicia Keys sounded good together. Unless I missed it I didn't see that mentioned in this thread.

Wally

[BowserBass]

Wow this thread took on a life of its own

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by Wally Malone

I think the pairings of artists were some of the high points. I thought Adam Levine and Alicia Keys sounded good together. Unless I missed it I didn't see that mentioned in this thread.

When did the word "Fire" become 2 syllables? This girl is on "Fi-yer"

[JoeWPgh]

The only Grammys worth a dime are when they go back and award them to the people who deserved them years earlier.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by Richland123

When did the word "Fire" become 2 syllables? This girl is on "Fi-yer"

Since the Ohio Players sang it that way.....

[tbirdsp]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

I just started listening to Alabama Shakes. My glorious God...I hope they make it big.

They are going to be on SNL this Sat (Feb 16). Yeah, I think they should have won something. My band covers "Hold On", may do a few others.

I recently bought "Blunderbuss" and I'm kinda finding it hard to like it. I wasn't really in to Jack until I watched the "It Might Get Loud" documentary.
I like that gal who sings with him (especially on 'Love Interuption") - she's like Diana Ross crossed with a Voodoo priestess - or something

I liked the Levon Helm tribute of "The Weight" - except old Mavis Staples went nutso on the end. Good for her for being up there though.

I don't know any of the Black Keys stuff before Brothers and El Camino, but I really dig them.

Getting kind of sick of Mumford, Lumineers, Fun.

Finally - Kelly Clarkson can SING. Way better than Carrie Underwood.

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by Pacman

Since the Ohio Players sang it that way.....

Ah, you are correct sir!

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

Finally - Kelly Clarkson can SING. Way better than Carrie Underwood.

Underwood definitely did not have her best night. The vocals in general during the whole show were strange. I don't know if was the sound-man or the theater they were in (where was it?) but it seemed like many of the performances the vocals were low or hiding behind sound. Taylor Swift, for example, was drowned out by the 400 people singing background vocals on her horrid song. I'm not really a fan of "Blown Away" when I am generally relatively favorable toward Underwood's music.

[FilterFunk]

Originally Posted by Pacman

Since the Ohio Players sang it that way.....

+1. A lot of songs have "fire" pronounced that way. Things like pronunciation and grammar have taken a back seat to singing with passion and emotion for decades. It all depends on the song and the singer.