print
The nominees for the 52nd Grammys were announced last night, and, though the awards have always skewed towards the most mainstream of the mainstream, this year the nominees read like a Top 40 radio playlist. This gripe is nothing new; independent-leaning music has long been largely ignored, overshadowed by several different factions, including a) classic rock bands who were overlooked when they were good getting nominated for comeback albums that are decent at best, b) the most successful album of that given year, c) formerly independent bands that took over the mainstream and d) the second, third and fourth most successful album of that given year.
That said, Beyonce led this year’s nominee list with 10, followed by Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, all signs pointing to 2009’s lady-domination in the music world. Certainly, all three women deserve ample recognition; each is among the best at what they do. Acts like the Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz and Bon Jovi were all honored as well, which is similarly unsurprising; all are safe, popular and decent.
Still, we’re a bit baffled by a few Grammy picks that hit a bit closer to home. In the Best New Artist category, MGMT and Silversun Pickups both got nods. Interesting, seeing as MGMT’s album was released in January 2008 and Silversun Pickups’ Carnavas dropped back in 2006. Now we understand that the BNA category isn’t reserved for bands who debuted during the Eligibility Year (which was October 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009), but rather bands that established their public identity in that time. Still, to nominate two acts so far removed from the given time span seems to disregard the large impact both bands’ work already had before October 2008. It’s as if MGMT and Silversun Pickups have been patted on the back for breaking into the mainstream, not for being, you know, good bands.
Speaking of good bands, a few of our favorites did get recognized this year. Best Alternative Music Album, commonly the most indie-friendly category, didn’t completely disappoint. Death Cab for Cutie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Phoenix all got nods. Neko Case leads the pack of Best Contemporary Folk Album noms, and we have to imagine that Jeff Tweedy was pleasantly surprised when Wilco’s Wilco (The Album) was nominated for Best Americana Album.
Amongst other nominations, though some questionable (Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King as album of the year?), few were terribly egregious. And at the end of the day, it’ll be fun to watch Bruce Springsteen and Rosanne Cash go head to head against Ciara and Justin Timberlake for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
Below are the three of the biggest categories. For a full list of nominees, visit Grammy.com.
Album of the Year:
I Am…Sasha Fierce, Beyonce
The E.N.D., Black Eyed Peas
The Fame, Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and The GrooGrux King, Dave Matthews Band
Fearless, Taylor Swift
Record of the Year:
“Halo,” Beyonce
“I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
“Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon
“Poker Face,” Lady Gaga
“You Belong With Me,” Taylor Swift
Best New Artist:
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings
Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.
2009 Grammy Predictions and Proclamations
Most Egregious Grammy Shafts
2009 Grammy Awards Live Blog
2009 Grammy noms spread love but focus…
Paul McCartney to Receive Kennedy Center Honor
Leonard Cohen to Wrap Up Tour with…
Noel Gallagher (Kind of) Praises Gorillaz
David Byrne's Bicycle Diaries Slated for Audiobook…
The 50 Best Movies of the Decade…
Ten Bands We'd Really Love to See…
The Evolution of the Hipster 2000-2009
Almost Famous: 10 Lesser-Known Sibling Actors
The Weepies - Please Speak Well of…
Isaac Russell - Lighthouse
Rogue Wave - Good Morning
Trampled By Turtles - Separate
Read with Your Ears: Paste Audiobook Sampler
Album Stream: The Weepies - Be My…
Live at Paste: Isaac Russell
Live at Paste: JEFF The Brotherhood
I honestly don't even care anymore about the grammys and I think Justin, you hit the nail on the head. Why ignore good music that may not be as popular rather than focus on decent music that is the most popular? Also, I remember Silversun Pickups....from 2007! That's not new. Neither is 2008's MGMT. The one thing they got right is DMB's "Big Whiskey" as a contender for album of the year. I completely disagree with that being questionable, it was an outstanding album. I've always loved Dave Matthews Band, I've been listening to them ever since I was a kid (which was not that long ago!) but 05's "Stand Up" wasn't that mind-blowing. "Big Whiskey" on the other hand was beautiful, a mourning of a loved one but at the same time a celebration of life. I chose that as my favorite album of this year before I saw this. And does Taylor Swift really need another award? She has so many! Give someone else a chance!
Right on Justin. i think it has become too mainstream as well and not enough emphasis on talent and music, but rather marketing and corporate agenda. a great underlying story is husband and wife Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, who were both nominated and in the same category..now that is called House of Blues...too bad the grammy committee did not ask them to perform, instead of the usual off the wall choreography and the not so good bubble gum pop music that always sounds out of tune..
I agree that the Grammys are honoring silly music (Black Eyed Peas? Come on.) but you can't fault them for ignoring indie bands then fault them for recognizing indie bands once they became popular. Just because the indie scene knew of MGMT almost two years ago doesn't mean they were generally popular. Only recently, in the last year, has MGMT really made an impact outside of the flannel world, so that meets the sort of criteria for Best New Artist.
Awarding Grammys on artists SOLELY on talent doesn't make sense either. I happen to think I'm a great musician, yet I don't expect to be nominated for a Grammy just because my music is good. People have to know who I am, people outside of my circle (in MGMT's case, the indie circle). Obviously, talent should be recognized and rewarded, but there's more to it than talent. You can't expect the committee to nominate a band they've never heard of, and to say that they should start listening to "better" music (a.k.a. your music), then it sounds fairly pretty exclusive and elitist.
By questioning the legitimacy of DMB's new album, Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King, you have illustrated that you know almost nothing about good music.
This is rather easily the best album of 2009.
Remember when the Decemberists released an amazing album called "The Hazards Of Love"? Album of the year, but I knew it wouldn't even get an honorable mention. I also can't wait for that simple rebuttal to my criticisms of Lady GaGa when she wins big; "But she's won a Grammy!". GRRRRRRRRRRRrr.