Grammys Feature Uneven Mix of Performers, Awards
U2 opened the 2009 Grammy Awards show last week with a bombastic performance of their new song “Get On Your Boots,” complete with lyrics and psychedelic graphics projected on a giant screen, and the band in top form as if it were the ‘80s all over again. Additional smash performances by the likes of Radiohead (complete with marching band), Justin Timberlake with T.I., and a Four Tops tribute with Smokey Robinson and Ne-Yo continued to impress (although the sound-mixing skills of the Grammy techs were quite subpar for TV listening). Also impressive was a much-anticipated performance by Coldplay, who began with a solo Chris Martin on piano, added in Kanye for an in-person remix rap, and then showcased the entire band in full force on the Grammy stage for an energetic rendition of “Viva La Vida.” The Grammys’ ever-growing tradition of unusual pair-ups continued, too, with one hit - an always-cool Paul McCartney with the Foos’ Dave Grohl on drums - and many misses, among them the “wha?” pairing of Stevie Wonder with an awkward Jonas Brothers, the tepid Sugarland and Adele, Kid Rock’s overblown medley, and the placement of John Mayer and his guitar next to the legendary and unmatchable B.B. King.
As far as the Grammy awards themselves went, the Los Angeles Times put it best: “another Grammys, another year without any surprises - and when it comes to Album of the Year, always pick old over innovative.” Yes, it’s true - the Grammys continue to give their biggest awards as more of lifetime achievement/acknowledgement awards. Case in point being the Album of the Year and Record of the Year awards for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand/Please Read the Letter.” Best Contemporary Folk Album, sure - best album across the entire year of popular music? No. But a few accomplished modern performers did at least get some of their due this year, including Coldplay, who won three awards (Song of the Year, Best Pop Group Performance, Best Rock Album), Duffy (Best Pop Vocal Album), Daft Punk (Best Electronic/Dance Album), and Radiohead, who snagged the Best Alternative Music Album honor. And yes, we’ll continue to complain about the Grammys’ irrelevance in this column until NARAS gets a clue...
In other awards news, the latest edition of the annual BRIT Awards are on the way for this year, with the 2009 ceremonies now set for February 18in London. Coldplay and Duffy lead the nominations field with four nods each, with other nominated honorees including Elbow, Take That, Fleet Foxes, The Killers, MGMT, and Beck, among others. Several acts will also perform live at the awards show, including U2, Kings of Leon, and the aforementioned BRITS nominee/Grammy-winner, Duffy...
Yusef Islam (aka Cat Stevens) has completed work on his latest as-yet-untitled album, which is due this spring on Universal Records. With a more stripped-down sound as compared to his last album (2006), Yusef’s latest bases most of the songs around his guitar playing and singing, although he also brought in a few musical pals to keep things fresh, among them Paul McCartney, Michelle Branch, and Gunnar Nelson. A music video for the single “Boots and Sand” was shot by Bob Dylan’s son Jesse...
MODERN ROCK LINK OF THE WEEK
Franz Ferdinand, who are currently touring in support of their new album, have put their new album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand up in streaming format on their MySpace page; take a listen at www.myspace.com/franzferdinand...
MINI BUZZ:
Coldplay and The Killers are teaming up for a benefit gig on February 18th; the show will take place in London, directly after the Brit Awards, with each band playing a 45-minute set and proceeds going to the War Child charity...
2009’s roster of NME Awards nominees have been announced, too, and among them are MGMT, Noel Gallagher, Oasis, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, and The Killers...
In a strangely corporate move for them, The Smashing Pumpkins have written a song for a new Hyundai car advertisement; the tune, titled “FOL,” will accompany the new television ad for the Hyundai Genesis...
The lineup has been announced for an April 4 benefit concert for the David Lynch Foundation; performers will include Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, and Moby...
Alt-rockers Superdrag are back in business after four years apart, and will drop their first album since 2002 this spring; look for the band’s Industry Giants in stores on March 17...
The Benicassim Festival in Spain has named its headliners for this year’s event, which will be the 15th annual; top acts for 2009 will include Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon, and Paul Weller...
ON CD: Morrissey’s Years of Refusal... Architecture in Helsinki’s That Beep... Robyn Hitchcock’s Goodnight Oslo... Living Things’ Habeas Corpus... Thursday’s Common Existence... and The Appleseed Cast’s Sagarmatha... ON DVD: Jurassic 5’s J5... Buddy Holly - The Definitive Story... Foo Fighters’ Quiet Before the Storm... and Ultravox - Monument - The Soundtrack ... and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.
Questions, comments, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ‘em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com
U2 opened the 2009 Grammy Awards show last week with a bombastic performance of their new song “Get On Your Boots,” complete with lyrics and psychedelic graphics projected on a giant screen, and the band in top form as if it were the ‘80s all over again. Additional smash performances by the likes of Radiohead (complete with marching band), Justin Timberlake with T.I., and a Four Tops tribute with Smokey Robinson and Ne-Yo continued to impress (although the sound-mixing skills of the Grammy techs were quite subpar for TV listening). Also impressive was a much-anticipated performance by Coldplay, who began with a solo Chris Martin on piano, added in Kanye for an in-person remix rap, and then showcased the entire band in full force on the Grammy stage for an energetic rendition of “Viva La Vida.” The Grammys’ ever-growing tradition of unusual pair-ups continued, too, with one hit - an always-cool Paul McCartney with the Foos’ Dave Grohl on drums - and many misses, among them the “wha?” pairing of Stevie Wonder with an awkward Jonas Brothers, the tepid Sugarland and Adele, Kid Rock’s overblown medley, and the placement of John Mayer and his guitar next to the legendary and unmatchable B.B. King.
As far as the Grammy awards themselves went, the Los Angeles Times put it best: “another Grammys, another year without any surprises - and when it comes to Album of the Year, always pick old over innovative.” Yes, it’s true - the Grammys continue to give their biggest awards as more of lifetime achievement/acknowledgement awards. Case in point being the Album of the Year and Record of the Year awards for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ Raising Sand/Please Read the Letter.” Best Contemporary Folk Album, sure - best album across the entire year of popular music? No. But a few accomplished modern performers did at least get some of their due this year, including Coldplay, who won three awards (Song of the Year, Best Pop Group Performance, Best Rock Album), Duffy (Best Pop Vocal Album), Daft Punk (Best Electronic/Dance Album), and Radiohead, who snagged the Best Alternative Music Album honor. And yes, we’ll continue to complain about the Grammys’ irrelevance in this column until NARAS gets a clue...
In other awards news, the latest edition of the annual BRIT Awards are on the way for this year, with the 2009 ceremonies now set for February 18in London. Coldplay and Duffy lead the nominations field with four nods each, with other nominated honorees including Elbow, Take That, Fleet Foxes, The Killers, MGMT, and Beck, among others. Several acts will also perform live at the awards show, including U2, Kings of Leon, and the aforementioned BRITS nominee/Grammy-winner, Duffy...
Yusef Islam (aka Cat Stevens) has completed work on his latest as-yet-untitled album, which is due this spring on Universal Records. With a more stripped-down sound as compared to his last album (2006), Yusef’s latest bases most of the songs around his guitar playing and singing, although he also brought in a few musical pals to keep things fresh, among them Paul McCartney, Michelle Branch, and Gunnar Nelson. A music video for the single “Boots and Sand” was shot by Bob Dylan’s son Jesse...
MODERN ROCK LINK OF THE WEEK
Franz Ferdinand, who are currently touring in support of their new album, have put their new album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand up in streaming format on their MySpace page; take a listen at www.myspace.com/franzferdinand...
MINI BUZZ:
Coldplay and The Killers are teaming up for a benefit gig on February 18th; the show will take place in London, directly after the Brit Awards, with each band playing a 45-minute set and proceeds going to the War Child charity...
2009’s roster of NME Awards nominees have been announced, too, and among them are MGMT, Noel Gallagher, Oasis, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, and The Killers...
In a strangely corporate move for them, The Smashing Pumpkins have written a song for a new Hyundai car advertisement; the tune, titled “FOL,” will accompany the new television ad for the Hyundai Genesis...
The lineup has been announced for an April 4 benefit concert for the David Lynch Foundation; performers will include Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, and Moby...
Alt-rockers Superdrag are back in business after four years apart, and will drop their first album since 2002 this spring; look for the band’s Industry Giants in stores on March 17...
The Benicassim Festival in Spain has named its headliners for this year’s event, which will be the 15th annual; top acts for 2009 will include Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon, and Paul Weller...
ON CD: Morrissey’s Years of Refusal... Architecture in Helsinki’s That Beep... Robyn Hitchcock’s Goodnight Oslo... Living Things’ Habeas Corpus... Thursday’s Common Existence... and The Appleseed Cast’s Sagarmatha... ON DVD: Jurassic 5’s J5... Buddy Holly - The Definitive Story... Foo Fighters’ Quiet Before the Storm... and Ultravox - Monument - The Soundtrack ... and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.
Questions, comments, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ‘em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com