It's safe to say that at this year's Grammy Awards, no one really stole the show. Actually, "safe" is a pretty good word to describe the entire night, as basically everyone came out a winner in some area or another. The Black Keys took home Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song ("Lonely Boy"), as well as Best Rock Album ("El Camino"), making it look as though they would be the big winners of the evening.
However, Fun. established a name for itself (if the group hadn't already by means of its singles incessantly playing on the radio) by winning Song of the Year with "We Are Young" and Best New Artist. Everyone's favorite Belgian?AustralianGotye got Best Alternative Music Album, Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo Performance for his well?known "Somebody That I Used To Know" featuring Kimbra. The Grammys couldn't let those be the only rockers taking home a shiny trophy, though, as Mumford & Sons stuck it out to get Album of the Year ("Babel"). On a side note, Frank Ocean won Best Urban Contemporary Album, the Grammys' newest award category and one that was almost definitely created for the sole purpose of giving Frank Ocean a Grammy.
The live performances, which seem to increasingly consume the airtime of the awards ceremony, were a mixed bag of understated but fantastic performances and some ridiculous attempts to go "outside the box." Taylor Swift opened with "We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together," and her Alice in Wonderland?meets?circus ringleader getup appeared over the top and far from the simple girl?with?a?guitar look from early on in her career.
Rihanna's performance of "Stay" with newcomer MikkyEkko was unexpected in its subtlety and deservedly received an extended applause. While the audience could respect the Grammys' attempt at coupling youngster Ed Sheeran with Sir Elton John, their voices didn't mesh well. Sir Elton appeared much more at home jamming with Mumford & Sons during a tribute to the late Levon Helm.
One of the best performances of the night came from Miguel and rapper Wiz Khalifa with their "Adorn," and while the track and live performance may be better off sans Khalifa, Miguel's unreal vocals defy any complaints.
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