Most would agree that last year's Grammy Awards were a bit of a disappointment (see "What the Grammys is going on?" should you need reminding). Well all I can say this time around is "welcome back" to our old friend and a job well done. Way to make a comeback. This year's show was clearly reformatted and redesigned to showcase the music nominated. It was truly a live performance-oriented show -- like some kind of charity concert at which tons of cool artists who would never in a million years play amongst one another come together for the sake of something greater.
I thought the Aretha tribute was a thoughtful, energy-provoking way to open the show, although it was reminiscent of a VH1 "Divas Live" episode. And while no one would deny that Lady Gaga is an electric performer, her wardrobe was all but shocking compared to her usual. But I guess if you were incubating in a "womb" for 72 hours, you'd want to be comfortable too. In any case, it is refreshing that she still gets slightly shaken and visibly humbled by her successes.
This year's telecast seemed to be all about the trios. Bruno Mars, B.O.B. and Janelle Monet complimented each other well and, although the vocals were shaky, Bruno's doowop take on "Grenade" was fun and endearing. Mumford and Sons, Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan proved that a genre can evolve without sacrificing its original quality. Norah Jones, John Mayer and Keith Urban made us realize that not all Dolly Parton songs are obnoxious, and that, despite our urge to resist, we kind of love John Mayer.
The upsets of the night? The fact that Eminem won only two of the ten categories he was nominated in (and they were pre-telecast, at that), Esperanza Spalding sweeping the coveted Best New Artist category (umm, she's a Jazz artist... just saying) and Arcade Fire for Album of the Year. Good for the underdogs. You go Glen Coco.
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