Here are the Grammy winners that didn’t make the telecast
It’s Grammy Day, and the big bets are on now who will win what but how bad the TV ratings will be. (That’s not a snark; it’s true.) The broadcast is designed as a mass appeal primetime TV event, so that means that the big awards–all focusing on the most mainstream categories–will be the ones shown. Rock and alternative? Nope. They’ve been excluded again, relegated to the pre-show segment (i.e. before the audience actually arrives).
Here then are the nominees and winners in the categories most likely to appeal to readers of these pages. The winners are in bold. (If you want the full list, go here.)
Best Rock Performance
Interesting that every single nominee is a woman (or, in the case of Big Thief, fronted by a woman). Another observation: None of these songs contain big guitars.
‘Shameika’, Fiona Apple
‘Not’, Big Thief
‘Kyoto’, Phoebe Bridgers
‘The Steps’, Haim
‘Stay High’, Brittany Howard
‘Daylight’, Grace Potter
Best Metal Performance
Anyone else underwhelmed by the entire category this year?
‘Bum-Rush’, Body Count
‘Underneath’, Code Orange
‘The In-Between’, In This Moment
‘Bloodmoney’, Poppy
‘Executioner’s Tax (Swing Of The Ace) – Live’, Power Trip
Best Rock Song
Again, not a lot of big guitars here, which begs the question: Why don’t the Grammy’s rock categories, you know, rock?
‘Kyoto’, Phoebe Bridgers
‘Lost In Yesterday’, Tame Impala
‘Not’, Big Thief
‘Shameika’, Fiona Apple
‘Stay High’, Brittany Howard
Best Rock Album
If there was any justice, Fontaines DC would have won because that’s one phenomenal album. But because they’re Irish, I have to believe that the voters didn’t have a clue about them. And as much as I’m a fan of Michael Kiwanuka–the man is brilliant and the record is excellent–did he get nominated in this category because the Grammys couldn’t categorize his sound?
‘A Hero’s Death’, Fontaines D.C.
‘Kiwanuka’, Michael Kiwanuka
‘Daylight’, Grace Potter
‘Sound & Fury’, Sturgill Simpson
‘The New Abnormal’, The Strokes
Best Alternative Music Album
There’s no question that Fiona Apple’s album was one of the most interesting of the year. No hit singles, though, because it’s a challenging listen. Methinks the Grammy voters think that they’re trying to signal their coolness.
‘Fetch The Boltcutters’, Fiona Apple
‘Hyperspace’, Beck
‘Punisher’, Phoebe Bridgers
‘Jaime’, Brittany Howard
‘The Slow Rush’, Tame Impala
Here are a few more categories and the winners in each. Yay to Montreal’s Kaytranada for his haul.
Best Dance Recording
‘On My Mind’, Diplo & Sidepiece
‘My High’, Disclosure featuring Aminé & Slowthai
‘The Difference’, Flume featuring Toro y Moi
‘Both Of Us’, Jayda G
’10%’, Kaytranada featuring Kali Uchis
Best Dance/Electronic Album
‘Kick I’, Arca
‘Planet’s Mad’, Baauer
‘Energy’, Disclosure
‘Bubba’, Kaytranada
‘Good Faith’, Madeon
Best Musical Theatre Album
‘Amélie’, Original London Cast
‘American Utopia On Broadway’, Original Cast
‘Jagged Little Pill’, Original Broadway Cast
‘Little Shop Of Horrors’, The New Off-Broadway Cast
‘The Prince Of Egypt’, Original Cast
‘Soft Power’, Original Cast
Best Recording Package
‘Everyday Life’, Coldplay
‘Funeral’, Lil Wayne
‘Healer’, Grouplove
‘On Circles’, Caspian
‘Vols. 11 & 12’, Desert Sessions (Josh Homme’s project)
Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package
‘Flaming Pie (Collector’s Edition)’, Paul McCartney
‘Giants Stadium 1987, 1989, 1991’, Grateful Dead
‘Mode’, Depeche Mode
‘Ode To Joy’, Wilco
‘The Story Of Ghostly International’, Various Artists
Best Music Film
Beastie Boys Story, Beastie Boys
Black Is King, Beyoncé
We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, Freestyle Love Supreme
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound Of My Voice, Linda Ronstadt
That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, ZZ Top
