ChordStrike

And The Winner Is...

In what was likely an artifact of the infamous writer's strike, this year's Academy Awards ceremony felt oddly short to me, but I was certainly pleased by the deserving winners in the two music categories.

Dario Marianelli's lush and dynamic score to  Atonement came away with the prize in it's category beating out it's fellow nominees in what may have been the biggest grab-bag category of the year...

...while "Falling Slowly" from small Irish indie film Once grabbed the best song award.  Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's acceptance speech was cut off before Marketa got to say a word, provoking groans and protest in the group of watchers I was with. Luckily, gracious host Jon Stewart brought the Czech singer/songwriter back to the stage to finish her speech cementing his position as the best awards show host any of us had seen in ages. What did you think of the music at this year's awards?

--Alan

About ChordStrike™

Amazon’s staff of Music Editors share their perspectives and persuasions on all things interesting and relevant in today’s music world. Whether touching on subjects in the media, unearthing musical gems that are under the radar, or featuring live streaming concerts, the Chordstrike blog offers a regular dose of musical commentary for Amazon’s community to read and comment on posts written by music lovers like you.

Mika: The Perfect Antidote to My Winter Blues

Had to share my recap of the Seattle Mika show, as told to my best friend, Seema, over my BlackBerry® whilst I lay in bed last night/this morning: 

Renata:

Matt just dropped me off. Had a super fun night tonight. Mika was awesome! A mix of Freddie Mercury and Elton John. Looks like he is straight out of a Botticelli painting.You would have loved it. We hung out with Kevin, Keisha and Bob post-show. Super fun. We were so amped up from the show that we danced around the dive bar across the street. Good times.

Seema:

Glad you had a good time! Sounds like fun. You will have to send me the link to his CD if you think it is something I would like, since I do love Freddie and Elton.

Renata:

There were back up dancers, giant balloons, rainbow-colored confetti and streamers!

Seema:

Wow - over the top!!

Sounds awesome!   

Renata:

Oh and there were bunny costumes at one point. Very Flaming Lips! Can't wait until he comes back!

***********

Needless to say, after taking in this spectacle of pure pop bliss, I woke up with a gigantic smile on my face. These many hours later, I still feel like I've swallowed a gulp of sunshine. Thanks, Mika! You're the perfect antidote to my winter blues.

~Renata

Naturally, Seriously Super

Extra! Extra! Monster news for fans of R.E.M.: The murmur you heard is true. Athens, Georgia's favorite sons are returning with a new album, Accelerate, due out on April 1 across North America. Lead single "Supernatural Superserious" is available for download now, but for the "caveat emptor" crowd, we're proud to up the ante and reveal the multimedia document here:

REM "Supernatural Superserious"

I'd love to say more, but I'm out of time... ~Jason K.

Final Grammy Thoughts

Gabi: Amy Winehouse emphatically thanking Ray Ray and Joe. 10 years this year!
Lucas: Kanye West demanding that the music be turned down so he could finish his acceptance speech.
Jordan: Same as Gabi
Amanda: Same as Gabi
Renata: Same as Gabi

We love Amy Winehouse! And Ray Ray. And Joe! What were your favorite moments?

Nighty night.

--Renata

UPSET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you thinking, what?! Or did Herbie Hancock have an album this year? Or even: Who is Herbie Hancock? I mean, we have the utmost respect for Herbie, but we can't say that he was the favorite going into this.

Herbie thanked the Academy for "...courageously breaking the mold this time." 

Kanye did not storm the stage. Foiled again.

An odd and sort of anti-climatic finish to the 50th Annual Grammy's.

--Renata

Will.i.what?

Gabi says, "Am I hallucinating?"

Amanda says, "He is ruining a whole bunch of songs all at once."

We aren't sure what that was. Can anyone fill us in?

--Renata

Andrea & Josh

Crazy that Josh Groban is only 26 years old!  He sang a touching tribute to Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti with Andrea Bocelli. We miss you Luciano!

--Renata

Amy Winehouse Pulls It Off!

We were pleasantly surprised with Amy's satellite performance.  She's still sassy and, above all, true to herself. Jordan says "I was waiting for her to puke, though." Gabi says, "We want her to eat a burger."

Amy appeared stunned...or confused upon winning the Grammy for Record of the Year for "Rehab" (perhaps due to the time delay between the states and London.) She gave some sweet hugs to her parents and of course, thanked her "Blake, incarcerated."

--Renata

Taylor Swift, Like, Totally Excited for Rihanna!

Rihanna wins Best Rap/Sung Collaboration with Jay-Z for "Umbrella." Yay! I'm glad she's taking away a statue for that song. It was definitely the song of the summer.

My blog comments are degenerating. It's surprisingly taxing to try and write, type, watch T.V. and listen to my co-workers at the same time.

--Renata

Best Country Album

These Days, Vince Gill. Upset!

We were routing AZ homeboy Dierks Bentley.

Geesh. The country guy didn't even thank God! I am slightly relieved, since I can't count very high anyway. It's making my job easier.

--Renata      

Question

Aren't we missing some ladies of R&B here on this Grammy's telecast? Where's Mary J., Christina, Keyshia Cole? I saw Jill Scott for a minute. Wouldn't right now be the best time to remind America that Erykah Badu still exists... since she's got that new album coming soon?  Also, confidential to Lauryn Hill... are you coming with a new album soon? Just wondering.

Doesn't it feel like a long time since Prince was on stage?

~Gabi      

Didn't She Already Perform?

Our Editor Amanda refers to this Alicia Keys' song as the "Coke Commercial" song.

Didn't she already perform?  Entertain us. We are bored. Oh! Here comes super blogger John Mayer. 

Note to Alicia: You are no Beyonce.

--Renata

Foo Fighters Pull Down Best Rock Album

Dave Grohl says, "This doesn't get old," and thanks his daughter Violet. God better start campaigning again.

--Renata

She Really Counts!

Feist! Get it, 1234...ok, I am reaching. But despite hearing this song ad naseum on the ipod commercial, I still love it. Plus, she's cute! And she's indie! And she's from Canada!

--Renata

Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul

...and a vision in lemon sherbet chiffon!

And, just for fun, while we're on commercial, Sinead O' Connor at the 1989 Grammy's.

Who else misses Billy Crystal?

~Gabi

No "Soy Bomb" Yet...

Remember when that Soy Bomb guy inserted himself into Bob Dylan's 1998 Grammy performance. I wonder if  anyone will pull any funny business tonight. Like maybe, someone will pop out from under Aretha Franklin's dress.

--Renata

Mama Would Be Proud!

Kayne takes it for Best Rap Album.. Of course, Kanye demands attention on the stage. He won't let any piped in music shoo him off the stage. Hell to-the-no! At least this time, he actually won the award and didn't have to sabotage another winner's acceptance speech.

Fellow Editor Gabi says, "He should be on suicide watch. He's just like an exposed nerve." What do you think?

-- Renata

Pat Smear's Grammy Moment

Blink and you would've missed it but that was former Nirvana backup guitarist Pat Smear backing the Foo Fighters during their My Grammy Moment performance. According to me, Pat Smear's officially in the running to be America's Next Top Cameo at the Grammy's, along with Daft Punk, Solange Knowles, and....who?

~Gabi      

We Get It!

Brad Paisley is playing a paisley guitar.Very punny. Does he always do that?

--Renata