Grammys 2011


BY BURAK ŞAHİN (IR/III)
burak_s@ug.bilkent.edu.tr

The 2011 Grammy winners were announced on February 13 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles. Some winners get the awards as anticipated, but there were also some surprise decisions as always. No doubt, Bob Dylan's live performance featuring Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers was the best moment for the ceremony. “Maggie's Farm” was performed amazingly by the legend and with two young bands. Here are the important categories and the winners:

Record of the Year / Song of the Year
Winner: Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

Nashville, Tennessee is a place that kind of produces successful groups such as Lady Antebellum. The country music band made an impact in the early of 2010 with Need You Now, and they have been awarded with a Grammy prize for the Record of the Year and also the Song of the Year categories. There were strong rivals in both categories. Empire State of Mind by Jaz-Z & Alicia Keys and Love the Way You Lie by Eminem feat Rihanna were just a couple of them.  Lady Antebellum was not only awarded in 2 categories, they also won Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the title song of their album, "Need You Now," Best Country Song also with "Need You Now," and Best Country Album, Need You Now.

Album of the Year
Winner: The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

I mentioned Arcade Fire's album in the beginning of the fall semester, and then I took a step further and chose The Suburbs as album of the year in last issue of 2010. After seeing the nominees of this category, I thought that Arcade Fire had to win easily. Generally, Grammys go to popular artists/bands but ignore the worker bees of real music. This year they surprised me, and The Suburbs won Album of the Year. The other nominees were: Recovery - Eminem, Need You Now - Lady Antebellum, The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga, Teenage Dream - Katy Perry.

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
Winner: "Tighten Up" - The Black Keys

In every category, I had a favorite nominee that should win, but in the category of Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, I did not have any idea because all the nominees had a chance. "Ready to Start" by Arcade Fire was #1 in my Best Songs of the Year list. I loved "Resistance" by Muse and "Radioactive" by Kings of Leon. "I Put a Spell On You" by Jeff Beck & Joss Stone was also magnificent. In this category, the key point was "performance" to take into consider.

Best Rock Album: The Resistance - Muse

Best Alternative Music Album: Brothers - The Black Keys

Best Rock Song: "Angry World" by Neil Young

Best Hard Rock Performance: "New Fang" by Them Crooked Vultures

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Helter Skelter" by Paul McCartney

Best Electronic/Dance Album: La Roux - La Roux