On Feb. 21, millions of viewers in 15 countries will plop down in their living rooms for an evening of bitching and moaning over the results of the 43rd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Oh sure, there will undoubtedly be a few geeks/music professors/Midwestern farmers who are really interested in the category for Best New Age Album or Best Traditional Polka Album. They are in the minority, however. The rest of us will watch to complain.
I haven’t watched the GRAMMY Awards for several years because I have grown disenchanted with a music industry that values Floridian heartthrobs and anorexic little girls over grownups who can write their own songs and play their own instruments. I started questioning the value of a “prestigious” award that seemed to reflect album sales rather than critical acclaim and musical integrity. The GRAMMYs perpetuate an industry that consistently recognizes the lowest common denominator of musicians instead of supporting the innovative craftsmen who challenge their listeners.
Rant aside, I decided to seriously peruse this year’s nominations, which were released on Jan. 3. My efforts paid off when I encountered several surprises amid the ranks of ‘N Sync and Destiny’s Child. The nominations included albums released between Oct. 1, 1999, and Sept. 30, 2000, and songs that were released or became popular within that same time period.
1. Album of the Year. Latin beats and hyper teens? Nope. The white men dominate the category for this year: Beck, Eminem, Radiohead, Steely Dan and Paul Simon comprise the eclectic mix. Love him or hate him, Eminem will probably win this coveted category with his “Marshall Mathers LP.” Just remember, good rappers aren’t necessarily good people. It’s nice to see that Radiohead didn’t make as many enemies as expected with their spaced-out, college-rock album “Kid A,” and I love the fact that Paul Simon continues to turn out great tunes. As for Steely Dan … I’m not sure what “Two Against Nature” is doing here, but good for them. However, my personal favorite for Album of the Year is Beck’s “Midnite Vultures,” which was probably the most sexed-out album of 1999. Conspicuous by his absence in this category is D’Angelo with “Voodoo.”
2. Boy bands. The Backstreet Boys really are on the way out. They received just a single nomination for “Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely” in the category of Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Evidently, their hard-core persona hasn’t endeared them to critics any more than it has to the teeny-bopper crowd. On the other hand, ‘N Sync, with three nominations, is here to stay. But at least they feel content with their pretty-boy image and don’t suffer delusions of being ghetto superstars.
3. Old people. Maybe I’m betraying my generation, but seeing aging rockers rubbing shoulders with the youngsters renews my faith in the Recording Academy and music consumers in general. In the category of Female Pop, Joni Mitchell and Madonna hold their own against the likes of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Paul McCartney actually holds a nomination in the Alternative Music category with his album “Liverpool Sound Collage.” Other veterans showing their faces are Don Henley, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Melissa Etheridge, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aimee Mann and The Cure. In a society that seems to value physical appearance and youth above all else, it’s refreshing that people older than 40 can still make the Top 40.
But even with all these interesting and well-deserved nominations, most people will feel disappointed with most of the awards that will be handed out next month at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Even if your favorite band wins a GRAMMY, a band you despise will undoubtedly win one as well. After all, history shows that high record sales really do dictate the results of the award ceremony. So sit back, relax and be prepared for a good old-fashioned gripe session when ‘N Sync brings home the booty.