Indie superstars Arcade Fire were the big winners last night at the Grammy’s, which understandably shocked everyone watching. I’m really curious to know how and why they won. Not that they weren’t the most deserving of those nominated, I’m still confused as to how they were nominated to begin with. A band like Arcade Fire usually doesn’t get recognized by the Grammy’s.
I was already shocked by the inclusion of artists like Mumford and Son’s and Ray Lamontagne. And I found the performance by the Avett Brothers delightful, but also uncharacteristic. It just makes me wonder if this was an intentional ploy to garner more interest from the hardcore music fans. Don’t get me wrong, I loved The Suburbs. It will definitely be in my Top Ten List for 2010 (if I ever get around to posting it), but it’s probably not in my top 5 and in fact I haven’t seen it at the top of anyone’s list. So this album isn’t the best by the hardcore list-making obsessive indie music fans, and those watching the Grammy’s have never even heard of it. I’d like to say this is the first step in a positive trend by voters to start recognizing music that actually has some depth to it. Something with more than just a catchy hook that will stick with us longer than last night’s dinner. But it just seems to me to be a publicity stunt to gain some attention and turn the indie hipsters into viewers in 2012.
Intentional or not this has definitely gotten people’s attention. Less than 24 hours now from the announcement and a new Tumblr page titled Who Is Arcade Fire which is racking up the hits by posting a collection of hilarious Twitter reactions to Arcade Fire’s victory. It has provided a great deal of entertainment to me today. Here are a few of my favorites.
“Congratulations to all 10 people in the world who have ever heard of arcade fire before…”
“How can this group get album of the year when they didn’t even have as many top 10 as Gaga? Did this group even have a number 1 hit?”
“The grammy people lost their mind…who are the Suburbs and how in heck did they win album of the year…smh”
“Who the he’ll is that Fire who ?”
Arcade Fire – Rococo (removed 7/21/12)
For those who have put off purchasing The Suburbs and are suddenly motivated to hear what all the fuss is about, right now you can a premium quality digital download for just $3.50. on their web-site.
Here’s a fun little remix might have gone unnoticed without it’s title.
The Hood Internet – Arcade Fire vs. Blondie mashup (removed 7/21/12)