Grammy Awards: Bending to pop trends again, with a few hidden gems

Pop acts Daft Punk and Macklemore/Ryan Lewis were huge winners in a hype-filled show, but were there under-the-radar stars shining on music’s biggest night?

 

Pop music by its very definition bends to trends, caters to mass audiences and captivates the young.

It often caters to repetition, clichés and flash-in-the-pan, attention-getting gimmickry.

And every once in a while, it produces envelope-pushing, startling and world-changing artistry.

So, it was with some measure of morbid fascination and a bit of detective-like fortitude that I once again sat down to ogle the spectacle that the annual, internationally broadcast Grammy Awards show has become: the over-the-top duets, skin-flashing wardrobes, circus-like aerial displays and silly banter.

Or, in the case of big award winner Daft Punk, no banter at all … just odd stylized motorcycle helmets to protect their identity and, maybe, to prevent concussions at the post-party.

Hey, a savvy investigator knows that hovering below the Grammys’ glittery, self-promotional shell there’s bound to be a surprising performance or two, some worthy award winners and a few deserving acknowledgments.

(One of those came in the form of a way-too-brief homage to the late Lou Reed, followed by a strangely riveting performance from one-time Reed album partner Metallica with an unusual special guest, pianist China Lang Lang.)

Indeed, it seemed apropos that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of The Beatles were in the house, just days short of the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ remarkable invasion of the United States. Five decades ago, they were the trend-pushing pop phenomenon that a fair number of critics, music industry stalwarts and a boatload of shocked parents loathed.

They wound up being the most influential rock group in history, a band whose influence can still be felt in an astounding array of contemporary artists, and more than a few Grammy nominees.

I’m not saying I saw or heard a band of the caliber, pioneering spirit or influence of The Beatles on Sunday night, but I’m also willing to at least accede to the presence of some head-turning talent and musical chutzpah.

And, don’t get me wrong, I’m impressed by some of the music uncorked by trophy collectors Daft Punk and Macklemore/Ryan Lewis. There’s something in particular about Macklemore, a genuine, message-driven spirit, that gives his music an inviting vibe. (See the full list of award winners at the Grammy site.)

STANDING OUT IN PERFORMANCES:

Keith Urban, John Legend, a frenetic pairing of Kendrick Lamar with Imagine Dragons, Carole King and Sara Bareilles (who performed a true duet), Queens of the Stone Age with Dave Grohl on drums (though it got cut short at the end of the broadcast), and even the piano-playing Taylor Swift, who seems to be maturing a bit musically in the very public eye, even if her music isn’t remotely “country” anymore.

(Speaking of country, it was interesting to see newcomer Kasey Musgraves elbow aside some genre heavyweights to win for best country album. And on the jazz front, emerging singer Gregory Porter, who plays St. Cecilia Music Center in February, won for best vocal jazz album.)

For their part, McCartney and Starr, who performed the lead single from Paul’s latest album, held their own on stage, though it should be noted that a second drummer, McCartney bandmate Abe Laboriel Jr., really drove this bus.

STANDING OUT IN THE AWARDS:

Best traditional R&B performance: “Please Come Home,” Gary Clark Jr. – An entry in the he-really-can-do-anything category.

Best pop vocal album: “Unorthodox Jukebox,” Bruno Mars – Bruno is a special retro-soul kind of charismatic star … and he’s coming to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on June 17.

Best Americana album: “Old Yellow Moon,” Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell – Speaking of old, these veteran singers and songwriters can still bring it, in rootsy, honest fashion.

Best blues album: “Get Up!” Ben Harper with Charlie Musselwhite – It wasn’t embraced by all blues lovers, but parts of this album are immensely enjoyable.

Best rock album: “Celebration Day,” Led Zeppelin – Really? A fine live album (and video), to be sure, but it was recorded at a concert that took place way back in 2007 and the songs were written decades ago. Led Zep’s imposing legacy aside, Queens of the Stone Age deserved the little golden gramophone.

Best rock song: “Cut Me Some Slack,” Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear – I appreciate this tune, partly because it does rock, it represents a Nirvana reunion of sorts and it puts Grohl behind the drums where he belongs. He’s a monster back there.

In accepting the award, Grohl noted that he called McCartney into his studio to jam and the band knocked the song out in about two hours – an example of spontaneity, freshness and rock brashness.

“To me,” he said, “that’s what rock ’n’ roll is all about. “

Of course, it also helps to have some prodigious talent coupled with rare songwriting skill … and that’s what the Grammys should be all about, right?

Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music