Part of Feb 2011 by
Arcade Fire at the Grammy's 2011

Arcade Fire Wins 2011 Grammy Album of the Year

The Grammys are like the Santa Claus of the music industry. The situation is all bright, shiny and festive but at some point reality sets in and you know its all just some fat guy the mall hired and slapped in a costume. For many people that “hired fat guy” realization for the Grammys was when Jethro Tull won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental in 1989 over Metallica who had released their career defining And Justice For All. I know legions of people who are still pissed about that event and its obvious stupidity, and most of them arent even into hard rock or metal. Either is Jethro Tull. Thats the point. The Grammys had proved at that point that they have no idea what the people like or even what their own categories mean. It even has its own Wiki page.

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire

So over the past couple decades I have watched the Grammys like I watch pro wrestling or monster trucks which is about once a year and with a big ol wheeee! kind of attitude. Which makes it fun. But last night when I saw Arcade Fire, who are an indie rock band from Montreal, take down the juggernauts: Eminem, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry I joined in the collective, “Wha….no way?” that the viewing audience shared before the cheers started. Im not going to say that Arcade Fire came out of nowhere, I mean after all they are a major band and have received a previous Grammy nomination, regularly rock arenas, have played Madison Square Garden etc. but they beat Eminem on the night that was supposed to be, “His”. Yeah… whatever. Arcade Fire put on an inspiring live performance that people will remember long after Lady Gagas shoulder mounted hat racks (below) will be forgotten. This time around the Grammys heard the people and Metallica won. In an indie rock sort of way.

Lady Gaga at the 2011 Grammys

Lady Gaga at the 2011 Grammy's

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