Rock wins big at the Grammys

I thought then that there was something strange afoot at the 2013 Grammys after I saw the list of nominees. It looked like changes were about to happen. Then last Sunday’s awards ceremonies, (live Monday morning on Star World out here) proved that something indeed was. Maybe the composition of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has indeed changed.

For one, probably afraid that somebody was going to show up butt-naked or worse, the invited female guests and participants were sent a memo by CBS, the network that covered the event, regarding wardrobe. The memo said that breasts and buttocks must be adequately covered. Lady Gaga was not there so nobody came in a cocoon. And Beyoncé, though still stunning, obeyed the memo to the max.  She came in a high-necked, sleeved long black and white jumpsuit.

Not Katy Perry who was there in a Morticia Adams hairdo with boobs trying to pop out of a daring neckline. Sorry, she was said to have apologized, she did not get the memo. She huddled close to her boyfriend, John Mayer, who came in a blue velvet tuxedo and Elvis pompadour. Jennifer Lopez got the memo and probably recalled her sensational green dress from 2000 with a neckline cut down to there. She came adequately covered save for her right leg shown off in a thigh high slit. Better than Angelina’s I must say.

For another, instead of having one spectacular musical number after another, the producers decided to have a mix of the epic and intimate. So aside from Taylor Swift’s rousing circus spectacle of We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, fun’s water-drenched Carry On and the star-studded Could You Be Loved tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley with Sting, Bruno Mars, Damian Marley and Rihanna, there were also, small intimate numbers like Frank Ocean’s Forrest Gump and Rihanna’s Stay.

Best of the evening though was the dapper Justin Timberlake’s medley of Suit And Tie featuring Jay-Z and Pusher Love Girl. The show celebrated his return to the Grammy stage and I guess also to recording in a big way. As most of you surely know, the ex ‘N Sync chose to concentrate on acting these past few years. He is a very good actor. Well, he is back singing and if his new songs, a wonderful mix of hip-hop and big band jazz, are any indication, then he has another big winner coming up.

Biggest change of all though is rock music’s return to the top of the Grammys. This year’s voters must have really grown tired of soul or hip-hop or rap, etc. Of course, Jay-Z and Kanye West snagged two out of their three nominations but Ocean, R&B’s latest fair-haired boy won in only two out of his six and not in the major categories. Instead, there was an assortment of rock sounds from young and exciting artists some of them enjoying their Grammy recognition for the very first time. Like British folkies Mumford & Son’s Album of the Year for Babel, Belgian Gotye’s Record of the Year for Somebody That I Used To Know and the Song of the Year for We Are Young by American group fun.

Most notable absentee was Justin Bieber, who was totally shut out of the nominations. Rihanna’s date was Chris Brown. They are back together and the Grammy eve beating from two years ago has been forgiven. The Grammys have also forgiven Dick Clark. The late TV legend formed the American Music Awards and even sued the Grammys. Maroon 5 sounds better with Christina Aguilera than with Alicia Keys. Carly Rae Jepsen who had nominations but did not get a trophy also channeled Morticia Adams but younger. Kelly Rowland looked lovely in sophisticated black while Adele filled up her upholstery fabric dress to the seams.

For another listen to this year’s winners and nominees, check out the 2013 Grammy Nominees compilation album from Capitol Records. For only P455 you will get to enjoy the best of the past year like Mumford & Son’s I Will Wait, Ocean’s Pyramids, Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You), Ed Sheeran’s The A Team, Ho Hey by the Lumineers plus Lonely Boy, Somebody That I Used To Know, We Are Young, and others.

And now, the Honor Roll: 

Album of the Year: Babel, Mumford & Sons

Record of the Year: Somebody That I Used To Know, Gotye featuring Kimba.

Song of the Year: We Are Young, fun.

Best New Artist: fun

Pop Solo Vocal Performance: Adele, Set Fire To The Rain

Duo or Group Pop Vocal: Gotye, Somebody That I Used To Know

Pop Vocal Album: Stronger, Kelly Clarkson

Dance Recording: Bangarang, Skrillex feat. Sirah

Electronic/Dance Album: Bangarang, Skrillex.

Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Kisses On The Bottom, Paul McCartney.

Rock Performance: The Black Keys, Lonely Boy

Hard Rock Metal Performance: Halestorm, Love Bites (So Do I)

Rock Song: Lonely Boy, The Black

Rock Album: El Camino, The Black Keys

Alternative Music Album: Making Mirrors, Gotye

Best R&B Performance: Climax

Traditional R&B Vocal: Love On Top, Beyoncé

R&B Song: Adorn, Miguel

Urban Contemporary Album: Channel Orange, Frank Ocean.

R&B Album: Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment

Rap Performance: N---as In Paris, Jay-Z & Kanye West

Rap/Sung Collaboration: No Church In The Wild, Jay-Z & Kanye West feat. Frank Ocean and the Dream

Rap Song: N---as In Paris, Jay-Z & Kanye West

Rap Album: Take Care, Drake

Musical Theater Album: Once, A New Musical

Score Soundtrack For Visual Media: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Song Written for Visual Media: Safe And Sound from The Hunger Games, Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars.

Short Form Music Video: We Found Love, Rihanna

Long Form Music Video: Big Easy Express, Mumford & Son