The stars of this year's Grammys were Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, who won all awards that they were nominated for, including Best Record and Best Album; basically, in my opinion, the best 2 awards to receive (at least for actual recording artists). Despite only having heard a slice of their work together, I don't know what justified those 2 receiving that award, when there were SO many better albums out there last year (Viva La Vida was also nominated, and frankly I feel that deserved the Album of the Year within "Grammy respected" music.) Away from this, I can understand why they did win it; it's "adult" music with the classic voice of Robert Plant, eering back to a lot of baby boomers childhoods and growing up periods, with a more mature, less heavy sound, which complements their studio apartment or nice houses with open plan kitchens, as they sip on their white wine and get cosy by the fire. It disappoints me greatly that Plant has went down this path, but I guess singing the same Led Zeppelin stuff without the greatness of John Bonham in the background isn't getting him far.The crime of the Grammys was Rick Rubin winning Producer of the Year. For his work in Death Magnetic alone, he should be shunned (or, just tone down his compression/distortion and let the music BREATHE). Danger Mouse and Nigel Godrich were easily the more deserved candidates than the man who doesn't know anything about production other than to have it really loud.
Now, onto awards that were most definitely deserved,
The Mars Volta winning Best Hard Rock Performance. The Bedlam in Goliath was easily one of my favourite albums of 2008, and was a huge return to form for a band who I felt lost their way with Amputechture. The drumming alone makes the album; some amazing drum fills and cymbal work going on - and Cedric providing yet more crazy vocal effects and lyrics, and Omar providing his Hendrix 2.0 style once more. They really were up against some commercial heavyweights in Disturbed, Judas Priest, Motley Crue and Rob Zombie; who all easily could have won the award because of their status alone - but I'm glad they didn't. Wax Simulcara really is a highlight of Bedlam.
Also, Kings of Leon won "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" for their song "Sex on Fire". Despite the lyrical content having, well, little or complicated meaning, the song itself is very catchy and well-written, I often hum the chorus to myself (and am right now) and really is a modern day classic pop-rock song. I've always liked Kings of Leon, I think they have a great appeal of having Southern Rock style, with a poppy and a damn catchy edge to it also. Coldplay also winning "Rock Album of the Year" put a smile on my face also - it deserved it.
I was also very happy and quite frankly surprised to see Zappa Plays Zappa win "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" award too, with Peaches en Regalia. Seeing Zappa still being honoured post-humously makes me happy, and they did beat some excellent competition, especially in Rush's song "Hope" (despite Snakes and Arrows being released in 2007) and Nine Inch Nail's "34 Ghosts IV", from Ghosts I-IV, another outstanding album from 2008. Ah, 2008 was such a great year for music!
This is a brief summary of an overly exhaustive awards ceremony, but I think these categories were most relevant to me. Blink 182 are also reunited, which might be interesting.
Iain
No comments:
Post a Comment