Samplings of Sad Girl, Pseudo Country, Mega Sexualization and Meh Instrumentation- from the Grammy Buffet
On the AOTY Grammy Nominations and the Noms at Large
Preface
It was that time of the year — to muse on the latest Grammy nominees and be left thoroughly…unimpressed. No surprise. A legion of music aficionados such as myself do the annual ritual of anticipating the nominee announcements. Hopeless we are. Once more, we were left unsatisfied and grumbling.
So…what did the Grammy gods serve up this time? No amazing grub to rave about. Better chance of something more tasty at the neighborhood Asian Buffet instead. Mainly what was dished up— an assortment of hyped up but meh, low vibration music. More of the same thing as previous few years. Overly saccharine offerings, others downright tasteless. Nothing “wow”. No stupendous treats. Maybe I’m hard to please? Hmmm… I really don’t think so.
What I Took Away
Despite misgivings of the AOTR Grammys noms, I tried them all, gave ‘em a fair try.
All in all, some good ear-stuff here and there— but not wholly satisfied.
Contenders for Album of the Year
Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish is… Sad Girl brand souffle that is— okay. Light and airy. Plain beige goodness. Well crafted effort— just not spectacular. Lyrically, this is one for an extesnsive deep dive— but after a few songs, one can be lulled fast to sleep. Not good when wanting to pay good attention. Ambient sound from producer Finneus intrigues but it could “hit harder”. If only Billie’s whispery vocals were amped up more instead of threading monotonous, HMHAS would have been absolutely scrumptious. Standout tracks: Birds of a Feather, The Diner.
The Tortured Poets Society by Taylor Swift is… a heaping serving of undressed but seasoned Sad Girl brand noodles. Strong, poetic narrative indeed in this effort— albeit overwrought with a lot of sulk. Good on Tay Tay though to let her heart out on her most mature collection. Naked and vulnerable lyrics. Thing is— the album plays way too long. A split into two tight albums would have been just right. Slurp it up like comfort food like you would Cup O’Noodles if you’re in that sulky kinda mood. Standout tracks: Florida, Who’s Afraid of Little Me
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan is...a sensuous hot dish by half cheery, half dreary Sad Girl, Chappell. Call this a s, sensuous dish layered with queer cheer and heartbreak. Midwestern Chappell puts some Californian flavor into this synth-pop effort. It gets too rah, rah cheerleader pop— not in a better way, a la Toni “Mickey” or Gwen Stefani- “Hollerback Girl”.
Standout tracks: Casual, After MidnightBrat by Charlie XCX is… a Peppery curry dish with bangers, representing Charlie’s Gujarti-Scottish roots. Positive notes: this thompin’ offering that makes for great gym endurance play while on treadmill. Sharp hooks throughout this effort. But, Brat is just banal electro-pop, quintescientially. Vocals are okay but the auto tune and lyrical skankiness is turnt up too much! Standout track: I Might Say Something Stupid (a striped down tune sans the electro distraction thomp)
Short and Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter is… a luscious creme-filled donut with cherry on top— tasty but too powdery pop and indulgent. SaS is a bopper but so one-dimensional poppy. It oozes a lot of sexuality but not tastefully (more in a tacky soft porn direction). Less is more, Sabs! Standout track: Espresso
Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé is… a tray of Southern style chicken wings you suck on, though not properly seasoned. Needs more country flavor. Up the twang and steel guitar. Eliminate the electro, hip hop beats. Too cutesy “country-tried” pop instead of “three chords and the truth” country. How did this qualified for Best Country Album without the category requirement of ”75% playing time of new country recordings”? Baffling. Stand out track: 16 Carriages
New Blue Sun by Andre 3000 is… a sampling of South American style rice pudding (arroz con leche). It’s… an acquired taste for this instrumental neo jazz album. Kudos to the dynamic rapper Andre throw many of his fans for a loop in making a glorified flute album. Sonically, it’s… meh, mostly. Maybe it plays better if just you’re trekking up Macchu Picchu. Much respect for the energetic Andre to show a chill side on NBS—but his vocals are surely missed.
Wow, creative points for track titles, like this one below, from the album…
Djesse Vol 4 by Jacob Collier is… a fro-yo creation with sweet and savory bits— that ends up a swirled up mess. Though progressive elements make it somewhat refreshing, too many ingredients are in the mix. Collier’s vocals are endearing but also mediocre and take away from sensational female voices and moments of intriguing instrumentation. Points for the healing overtones and lyrics as well as diversity of genres explored on this effort though.
Standout tracks: 100,000 Voices (wild surprise at 4:24) and Little Blue
Instead of This, That
Better earfood noticed by the Grammys in other categories that should have been nominated for AOTY. Look up all of these albums on YT.
Instead of Hit Me Hard…
Visions by Norah Jones
More dynamic, colorful and upbeat effort here, featuring…
Instead of The Tortured…
Higher by Chris Stapleton, nominated for Best Country Album
A strong, dynamic effort by a superstar of the moment, featuring…
Instead of The Rise and Fall…
Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves
An honest heartfelt collection that hits more profound, featuring…
Instead of Brat…
Hackneyed Diamonds by The Rolling Stones, nominated for
Best Rock Album
Get good ol’ rock and roll back in the mix.
Instead of Short and Sweet…
VANTABLACK by Lalah Hathaway, nominated for
Best R&B Album
Solid atmpspheric R&B effort here with elements of jazz with old school soul, featuring…
Instead of Cowboy Carter…
Whirlwind by Lainey Wilson, nominated for
Best Country Album
Get more authentic yet contemporary country from Lainey over Bey.
Instead of New Blue Sun…
Blame it on Eve by Shemeika Copeland, nominated for
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Selection from a less-hyped Grammy category. Bluesy with attitude, often topical with lyrics, featuring…
Instead of Djesse Vol 4 …
What Now by Brittany Howard, nominated for
Best Alternative Album
Better sung and better moody, multiple genres that blend well.
