Although it’s been better recently, if there’s one thing that shines true about the Grammys it’s that the awards program consistently misses the boat on good music. Shouldn’t there be less focus on which bands rack up a bazillion hours of play time on pop radio stations, and more on actual musical talent and songwriting skills?
Here are five songs that should have made an appearance on the Song of the Year contenders list:
“Every Single Night”—Fiona Apple
Every musician probably has a little bit of crazy in their genetic make up. But Fiona Apple got the lion’s share of psychotic. That said, how many musicians return a long hiatus even more deranged and successful? Fiona Apple.
“Hot Cheetos & Takis”—YN Rich Kids
While Carly Rae Jepsen was brown-nosing Justin Bieber, seven kids in a Minnesota YMCA after-school program were rapping about snack food. Their love for Cheetos and Takis helped the youngsters become a viral phenomenon.
“Breezeblocks”—Alt+J
Based on the children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are,” Alt-J’s “Breezeblocks” is the second single off An Awesome Wave. The song’s quirkiness and overlapping textures allow it to defy genre divisions.
“Serpents”—Sharon Van Etten
Sharon Van Etten is nothing short of elegant in Tramp. With the first single released from the album, “Serpents,” Van Etten draws on the talents of her friends, including Aaron and Byrce Dessner (The National), Matt Barrick (The Walkmen), Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) and Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak). She doesn’t need a dream time to back her up, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
“Stubborn Love”—The Lumineers
We’ve all come to know the hey-ho-ing cheekiness of the Americana-soaked band The Lumineers. But it’s not their first single, “Hey Ho,” that is the album’s gem. “Stubborn Love” is a journey with sounds that are sweet and melancholic, meek and large.
