Grammy Grievances
Photo Credit: www.grammy.com
Pink wows audience at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards
February 2, 2010
Kaitlyn Jensen, Senior Editor- Opinions and Lindsay Vong, Asst. Editor- A&E
We get it. Beyonce and Taylor Swift are more than just slightly popular, but drilling this into the heads of music fans via over-nominations is not the most appropriate response . When does a few nominations become too much? Swift was nominated for an overwhelming amount of eight awards including Record of the Year (awarded for a single or for one track on an album) , Album of the Year (awarded for an entire album), Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance – it never ends. Sure, she deserves some credit, but aren’t her eight nominations and Beyonce’s ten a little much?
It has become a popular opinion of late that the Grammys are slightly out of touch and recognize some artists too much, while completely forgetting others. Of course, the Grammys are not responsible for being in touch with whatever is most popular or known, but they are definitely responsible for being in touch with quality music. The problem here is distinguishing between popular, commercially successful music and overall “good” music.
Many complaints have been floating around about the Best New Artist award, its nominees being the Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, the Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings. Upon listening to these artists, it’s not a question of whether or not they have talent. But…who are they? MGMT’s “Kids” and “Electric Feel” distinguished them among new alternative artists and were a great start to what will be a fantastic career, and the Zac Brown Band is the talented epitome of pure, old-fashioned country. Many complain of not knowing the Silversun Pickups, but their popular songs “Panic Switch” and “Lazy Eye” have been steadily drawing in fans since their release. Could it be that this award is actually going to be based off quality and not popularity?
If that is the case, somebody should have thought to include David Cook for Best New Artist. Though he was most likely overloooked because of a petty bias against American Idol, his absence has left a large number of Grammy viewers bitter and unsatisfied. In the Best New Album category, many would have liked to see Phoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix or Maxwell’s BLACKsummer Night. No one was surprised to see Kelly Clarkson’s nomination for Best Pop Album, although it was a shocking disappoint that it was her only one.The Dave Matthews Band pulled through for a nomination for Best Album, to the surprise, yet delight, of many fans.
There have been numerous complaints regarding Michael Jackson not being nominated this year; however, hopeful fans are in luck. His album This is It didn’t make the deadline, but it’s more than likely that we’ll see it in next year’s Grammys.
However, the 52nd Grammys were surprisingly entertaining. Lady Gaga opened the night with fun renditions of the popular “Poker Face” and “Speechless.” She ended her act with an unexpected original piano ballad with Elton John. Though the song was decent, it took away from the act and left audiences calmed down rather than pumped up.
Pink wowed audiences with a dangerous but incredibly beautiful acrobatic performance of “Glitter in the Air.” Suspended above the audience, she twisted and twirled on a single white sheet with a Cirque du Soleil-esque routine. Not only was it visually attractive but it was also an incredible vocal performance.
The other memorable performance was of “The Earth Song” by Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Usher, and Celine Dion. The only let down was the lack of attention on the 3D effects. Most of the televised audience was not prepared and it took away from the on-screen effect.
Beyonce took home a record number of six awards: Song of the Year and R&B Song for Single Ladies, Female Pop Vocal for Halo, and Female R&B Vocal, Traditional R&B Vocal, Traditional R&B Vocal and Contemporary R&B Album. That’s cool. Now maybe you and Taylor Swift can go away for a little bit and let us miss you.
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Thank you for saying what so many of us thought — the fact that David Cook was clearly ignored at this year’s Grammys. The fact that he came out of the Idol machine doesn’t detract from the point that the guy is a truly great performer and an amazing artist. I think its sad that it needs to come down to politics, politics, politics to garner a nod. Maybe the powers that be will wake up and smell the coffee some day. Until then, we the purchasers of music and concert tickets, will continue to support who WE deem to be truly talented — not the fabricated sounds of over-the-top “artists.”
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I was very disappointed that the Grammys left out David Cook. What other new artist have a platinum album and two platinum singles and had a successful Declaration Tour with, David Cook playing 154 concerts mostly sold-out.
He is very passsionate about his music, he wrote or co-wrote almost all the music on The David Cook freshman album and is now working on his sophmore album. He has an amazing vocal range and can sing any type of music. He has a fantastic band, who are all very professional and talented musicians. David is a master of expressing his feelings though his music. He is not afraid to show his vulnerability and emotions when performing and isn’t that one of the purposes of art? Being able to express creativity and sensitivity to the audience.
The Grammys really made a big mistake this year>
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I AM tired of how some artists are over played to the point that I can’t appreciate them any longer. And others are ignored, such as David Cook. How could they over look a platinum album and 2 platinum singles?
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Count me among those who are disappointed in the Grammy’s failure to recognize David Cook. While I believe he should have gotten BNA, c’mon, not a single nom? I challenge anyone to find a stronger male vocal performanc than Cook’s “Light On” which was submitted to the Grammy’s.
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Thank you for recognizing the frustration of many fans re the omission of a nomination David Cook from the Best New Artist category. If the Grammys were looking for commercial success, his first album went platinum in 12 weeks and was one of only three new artists that went platinum. If they were looking for popularity, look at the over 150 tour dates (mostly sold out) that he played last year. He cannot be beat in raw talent – before idol he had several albums with his band Axium and a solo album, Analog Heart. Many of the tracks written by Mr. Cook. We appreciate your mention of this oversight.
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Thank you for an interesting article. I definitely agree with you about the endless Taylor and Beyonce nominations. This particular Grammy show came off as too commercial, corporate and slick for me, with the exception of the wonderful performance by Pink.
I also totally agree with the ridiculous snub of David Cook for BNA. It certainly left many, many viewers feeling contempt for the old school Grammy machine.
Perhaps next year, they will get over their narrow minded snobbery and include that fine artist who has fought his way up in the music world the hard way, despite what they think.
Thanks again for a fine article.
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Couldn’t agree more with you on the omission of David Cook in this year’s Grammys. Not a single nomination ? and all of the nominations went to mostly the other 2 persons ? Come on, do i need to listen to taylor’s songs being played every 60 minutes on radio ? they are overly recognised and over-exposed. Great article !
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I totally agree… I used to not mind listening to some Beyonce or Taylor Swift on the radio, but they’re played so much, that I’m getting sick of them real fast, specially Beyonce. Don’t want to hear about her, herself, or see her for a very long while, thank you very much! And about the grammies, I’ve lost my faith in them, as all other major music awards, they’re all way overrated in my pov. Hoping that that will change one day, but I’m not holding my breath.
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I’m glad someone brought up the issue of David Cook not being nominated. He has an amazing voice, writes his own music, is hardworking and had an album that sold better than any other new artist (other than Lady Gaga, who isn’t technically a new artist). So by any criteria, he should have been nominated. I do, however, think that Beyonce deserved all the awards she got. I’m usually not a Beyonce fan , but her latest album really made me see her in a different light. Taylor Swift is so overrated, it’s almost a joke. She’s talented for someone of her age, but certainly not Grammy-worthy.
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I agree with the others… Taylor Swift is WAY TOO PUBLICIZED! We really don’t need to hear “Love Story” or, even worse, “You Belong With Me” every three songs! I used to like Taylor’s music, but because of the extreme level of attention she gets fom all types of media, I have begun to rethink that.
The same goes for Beyonce, Justin Bieber, and others. Their music is (very rarely, in the case of Bieber) enjoyable when heard in moderation.
My mother always told me that “everything is better in small doses”. I guess that applies to music as well.
And about David Cook… he deserved a nomination. AT LEAST ONE. He is a very talented singer, and is definitely Grammy-worthy.
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