Grammy FUN.

I'll admit, I'm a sucker for sentiment. But when did opening monologues stop being funny? Understandably, LL Cool J had no opportunity for jokes at last year's ceremony, but spare us the sob story of your rise to the top and how we still don't know "the real you." Your "grammy" would be ashamed, and not just because of your insistence upon wearing paddy hats to possibly the biggest gig you've ever booked... twice. What I did find touching was his conclusion of the never-ending whitney-ism with the words  "And as your host, let me tell you all we are so happy to see you here." 

Are you listening, Rihanna? The 55th Annual Grammy Awards started off slow. Ed and Elton were all wrong for each other. Their harmonies were strange, their tones blended awkwardly and, at the risk of the glitter gods striking me for blasphemy, Elton added nothing to the otherwise "A-Team" performance. Also, is LL hard of hearing? It's SHEERAN, not Sharon. Jeez.

Now let's have some FUN. As a long-time fan of the boys (they're not actually a new artist, guys), I am always drawn to the quality and consistency of Nate Ruess' voice. I began to notice early on in the telecast that artists are trending away from the medleys that have dominated music award shows for the past decade and back toward showcasing their singing chops via one solid song. I'd just like to go on the record and say, I'm into it.

My favorites of the night? Miguel and Wiz Khalifa's collabo on "Adorn," although I'm still not sure if that was a performance or award presentation. Mumford and Sons (if you read my latest post, you know where this is going) were, at the risk of sounding ig'nant, amaze-balls. I'm obviously biased, but how could anyone with even a fractional use of their five senses find them to be anything but that? 

A question: If I direct HOV to "get out [his] seat," will he do it? Who said stars can't take direction!? So incredibly badass of Jay-Z, by the way, to hold on to his liquor for as long as he could before his presence in the performance proved absolutely necessary. Maybe it's some kind of badass-by-association, but JT has never looked better. Marriage clearly suits him (get it? "suits" him?). While he employed the high register and hip thrusts we all know and love, the strategic song duo served as a preview of his new album, making apparent his transition from pop to R&B. 

Other faves of mine include the Maroon 5/Alicia Keys live mash-up, the Bob Marley tribute (although Rihanna was obviously there for visual enhancement), the Lumineers and the In Memoriam rendition of "The Weight." It will surprise very few that I actually "yippee-d" aloud the moment i heard the first bar and spotted Zac Brown. That reaction was propelled by the great Mavis Staples and Brittany Howard (a-la Alabama Shakes). What a way to go...

While the tribute came in a close second, my absolute best performance of the night was, hands-down, Jack White. Thanks, Jack, for ditching Meg and going a few shades darker. Too far? My biggest disappointment of the night? Frank Ocean. Bombarded by the "is Frank Ocean overrated?" statuses this morning via social media, I stand by my man. You'd be nervous too making your Grammy debut amongst your idols and peers... and Chris Brown. You'll kill it next time, Forrest.