I have to say, this year’s Grammys was the best awards show I’ve seen in a really long time. It reminded me of the VMAs long ago, back when they were a showcase of creative genius and true musical talent and not a platform for Kanye West to embarrass himself annually while the MTV execs cackle with glee over how often this obnoxious, “unplanned” clip is going to be replayed on the nightly news.

The show went smoothly and tastefully. I thought nearly all the performances were mind-blowing — oddly enough, my least favorite was my beloved Taylor Swift’s. I think she just didn’t stand a chance up there compared to some of the most seasoned performers in the world. But she maybe didn’t have to be so flat, either. And, as much as I adore the girl, she probably didn’t deserve album of the year. Like, really, that should have gone to Beyonce or Lady Gaga. Taylor’s great, but that wasn’t the best album released this year. I’m not sure how that happened. I was rooting for Anyone But DMB, so I win regardless.

Here are some more general thoughts:

- Nicole Kidman deserves an honorary mention on the “In Memoriam” section. She looks like she died at least once last year.

- Why were the people in the audience wearing the 3D glasses? Like, Celine Dion was actually singing in front of them.

- I was excited that Beyonce performed that bit from “You Oughtta Know,” but was disappointed that they did that without actually involving Alanis Morrissette. I was also a little disappointed that Beyonce flubbed half the lyrics. Like, seriously, who can’t recite the words to “You Oughtta Know” in their sleep by now? You oughtta know those words, B.

- However, Beyonce Knowles is a phenomenally talented woman. And if you didn’t already know that, she was gonna make damn sure you knew it after tonight. Well-played, B.

- Did anyone else feel like Pink borrowed a little tiny bit from Tori Amos’ “Sugar” during her performance? Or am I making that up? Regardless, the whole thing was genius. GENIUS. It was very much like “HEY I’M PINK AND I’M STILL THE REAL THING, BITCHES.” And I looooved it.

- Hey, remember Norah Jones? No?

Anyway. All the gowns are below. Enjoy. Full list of winners can be found here.

The Grammy nominations are out, and, to the surprise of no one, Taylor Swift and Beyonce are kicking some ass. Beyonce’s leading the list with 10 nominations, and Taylor’s close behind. After Taylor, Kanye West, Maxwell and Black Eyed Peas are tied with six nods apiece. (Why do people still nominate Kanye for awards? That just means he’ll be at the show, and that’s not good for anyone.) Despite a stellar year, Miley Cyrus came up empty, and Britney Spears got one nod for “Womanizer” as Best Dance Recording.

Here are the nods for Best Album:

I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé
The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame, Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux Kings, Dave Matthews Band
Fearless, Taylor Swift

As much as I love Tay-Tay, Beyonce and Gaga’s albums were both phenomenal. Mostly, right now, I’m terrified that they’re all gonna split the “pop” votes and Dave Matthews Band is gonna come away with the win. I’ll die. I’ll just vomit all over the television and then foam at the mouth and then I will implode with the mind-bending pressure of my hatred of DMB. Please, Lord, no.

The Best New Artist category is, per usual, stuffed chock-full of artists who are not at all new. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS SHIT? Is it, like, you are a “new” artist if you released your first album no fewer than five years ago? Because, like, Silversun Pickups? The Ting Tings? Keri Fucking Hilson? These people have been around forevah.

Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

The full list of nominees is after the jump.

(more…)

Ah, you know what a fan I am of Beyonce.  Watch B and Lady Gaga do high kicks and writhe around in multi-colored bustiers.  Enjoy!

This clip right here, taken from some random person’s TV (sorry it’s so crappy), shows an angle we didn’t see to the whole Lil Mama crashing Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance at the VMAs-incident until now. Apparently when Lil Mama started running up on stage, she was actually trying to pull a mortified looking Beyonce up with her, which officially makes Beyonce the second most victimized person of the 2009 VMAs (Taylor Swift obviously is taking first place on this one…) While Lil Mama’s actions were still completely ridiculous, I do find some comfort in knowing that she was just trying to “bring the party” by inviting herself and Bey up on stage as opposed to straight crashing as I think we all originally thought she was.

I dunno about you guys, but I’m picking up on a theme in Beyonce’s videos off of this record.

I think it’s a good time for a fill-in-the-blank game.

The theme of Beyonce’s videos from the I Am … Sasha Fierce album is: __________________ .

Your suggestions go in the comments.

You can watch the “Ego” video here and the “Single Ladies” video here. The “Halo” video breaks most of the rules, but it’s here anyway.

B showed off the goods when she took a dip in the ocean in Miami yesterday. Seriously, though, what’s up with her keeping her shorts on??? We want the WHOLE PICTURE, Beyonce! Why won’t you let us see your full bootyliciousness? It’s the least you can do to repay us for infecting society with that word.

This is what Beyonce went shopping in while in Paris on tour.

Note that she was wearing different shoes when she left than when she came in.