Grammy 2011 Nominations Reactions

The first half of this is reaction is by friend of EnterTheShell.com and Drinkcast alum, Michael.

Michael’s Reactions

The Grammys had their annual nomination party complete with performances by Katy Perry, B.o.B, Bruno Mars, Train and Justin Bieber. The event was held to announce the Grammy Nominations and springboard the promotion of the big show, the 53rd Grammy Awards (which will air Feb. 13, 2011 at 8pm ET/PT).

Here’s the thing about the Grammys: They have the weirdest guidelines for your work to be nominated. Albums must be released between Sept. 1, 2009 and Sept. 30, 2010 (a 13-month period) to be eligible for this year’s Grammys. So anything that comes afterwards is out of luck, which puts us out of luck because some of the best music comes out during the latter part of the year. Why can’t the Grammys take a note from the Oscars, which wait for the whole entire year to get the crème de la crème films in contention?

By following these guidelines they’re really short-listing this year’s Best Album race. This being the Grammys, the best album race covers a variety of genres: The Suburbs, Arcade Fire (Indie Rock), Recovery, Eminem (Rap), Need You Now, Lady Antebellum (Country), The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga (Pop), Teenage Dream, Katy Perry (Pop).

Being completely honest, if I were a voter I would vote for The Suburbs by Arcade Fire, not only because it’s one of the best albums of the year, but also because it is light years better than the other nominees. My real problems with these nominations are with GAG-a and Perry. First, wasn’t The Fame nominated last year? It was, in fact. Doesn’t The Fame Monster have the same songs? Yes, in fact 14 of the 22 tracks are from the prior album. Ok, ok so let’s take the eight new songs and say that’s the basis for the nomination; those must be some really phenomenal songs, right? Second-rate Madonna knock-offs. With the exception of “Bad Romance,” I call this nomination a bust.

I would have gone with The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monae, two entire suites of musical bliss, or even Lungs by Florence and the Machine. The Katy Perry nomination also feel unearned seeing as most critics lambasted the album, unless this was the academy’s thank you for performing at the televised nomination party.

Record of the Year nomination went to B.o.B and Bruno Mars (“Nothing on You”), Eminem feat. Princess RiRi (“Love the Way You Lie”), Cee Lo Green (“F— You”), Jay-Z and Alicia Keys (“Empire State of Mind”) and Lady Antebellum (“Need You Now”). The showdown for this award will be between the collaborated songs “Love the Way You Lie” and “Empire State of Mind,” which puts last year’s Rap/R&B chart-topper with this year’s Rap/R&B topper. If I had it my way, Cee Lo Green’s “F— You” takes the prize.

Best New Artist is the most diverse I have seen in a while: Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons, Esperanza Spalding, Justin Bieber and Drake. I hope Florence and the Machine wins this one and I’m glad the fans don’t pick the winners or else Bieber Fever would sweep the entire show.

For those disappointed by this year’s nominations, well better luck next year when the overhyped (read: over it) Kanye West and Taylor Swift showdown will take center stage. Yes, I’m already hyping up next year’s award show…Maybe I can snag a nomination for Best Spoken Word Album!!! Oh, sorry I’m out of contention. It seems that GAG-a’s Fame Whore Monster stole all the nominations.

P.S. we all know who the reigning pop queen is anyway and its not you Gaga its Robyn (!) whose “Dancing on my Own” was robbed!

Sara’s Reactions

Not to worry, my friend. Robyn got her nomination as more were announced throughout the evening. Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” was nominated for Best Dance Recording along the likes of Goldfrapp (“Rocket”), La Roux (“In For The Kill”), Lady Gaga (“Dance in the Dark”) and Rihanna (“Only Girl in the World”). We’ve got some huge pop heavyweights on this list in Gaga and Ri-Ri, but it’s time for them to step aside and let a real dance veteran (Robyn) finally get what she deserves.

Our girl Janelle Monae deserved to be in the Best Album category HANDS DOWN but instead she must settle for Best Contemporary Album while “Tightrope” feat. Big Boi got a nom for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. I’m really peeved by this. I’m not the only one who believes Jane deserves a Best Album nom, as The ArchAndroid: Suites II and III has appeared near or on the top of countless Top Album lists around the blogosphere.

Speaking of Big Boi, probably the most under-rated song of the year which appears on probably the most under-rated album of the year, “Shutterbugg” feat. Cutty gets a nom for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Good luck to Big Boi, whose album Sir Lucious Left Foot…The Son of Chico Dusty is more likely than not going to make it to the top five on my list of best albums of 2010.

On the rock end, ETS faves Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, The Black Keys and Broken Bells round out the nominations for Best Alternative Album. In my opinion, Vampire Weekend’s Contra or Broken Bells’ self-titled debut are totally deserving of the win. Band of Horses’ Infinite Arms was a disappointment while I just can’t wrap my head around The Black Keys (Brothers) or Arcade Fire (The Suburbs).

In a fun favorite for Michael and myself, Kathy Griffin and Flight of the Conchords will be duking it out for a tiny gold phonograph for Best Comedy Album. My vote goes to K-Griff who I’m a huge fan of but more for the reason that FOC’s I Told You I Was Freaky was nothing compared to their self-titled debut (with the exception of “Carol Brown”).

Now, there’s no way we can react or even read every nomination on this list (do they really have to have a nomination for EVERY genre?) so to see the list for yourself, click here and see if your favorite artist made the cut. Then, give us YOUR reactions!

Here are our takes on some of the albums mentioned above:

• Album Review – The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
• Album Review – The ArchAndroid: Suites II and III by Janelle Monae
• Album Review – Sir Lucious Left Foot…The Son of Chico Dusty by Big Boi
• Album Review – Brothers by The Black Keys
• Album Review – Teenage Dream by Katy Perry