[Discuss] The Grammy Awards Continue To Be Irrelevant With 2014 Nomination List

By now you guys should know how many f***s I give about the Grammy nominations and who goes on to win what on the night. The fact that I love the performances that intersect the show is pretty much the only reason I indulge the annual event.

I'm  just not here for any panel- especially one as shady as the Grammys- telling me what constitutes award winning music. The fact that Roar by Katy Perry made the list for Song and PERFORMANCE of the year, while someone like Janelle Monáe didn't even get a mention, only affirms their irrelevance to me.

But whatever, this list was asked for so I posted it. If your opinion about the importance of the awards is different from mine, that's totally cool. Feel free to discuss your thoughts on the nominations in the comments. I'd love to still read them.

The FULL list can be found here. I've mostly omitted the Classical stuff, but you can reference the missing numbers to see exactly what I excluded.

[Discussion] Lana Del Rey's "Tropico": A Work of Genius or Pretentious Pap?

Lana Del Rey's music and visuals have always been cinematic and dramatic in scope. And she's always worn her obsession for the Golden Age of Hollywood and Americana prominently on her sleeve. So is it any wonder that the singer-songwriter would take these passions a step further and release something more substantial than a four minute promo? Let me help you out: no it is not!  Everyone say "hello" to the Coney Island Queen's short film, Tropico.

But hold up! Before you take that leap into Lana's world, take a read of this Question and Answer session the director of Tropico, Anthony Mandler, had with Time. It should help prepare you for what you're going to see. Below is an extract from it explaining the process of collaborating with Lana and how the film is, at its heart, a love story (as if we couldn't figure that out ourselves!) :

TIME: There’s a lot going on in Tropico. How did Lana first explain the concept to you?
Anthony Mandler: Generally, when we work together, I get these long, written-out character breakdowns and story breakdowns. Some of it is very well-thought out, some of it is kind of stream-of-conscious. So my role has been to come in and shake the tree and realign things and make it do-able. Lana has these really wide, vast landscapes that she lays out, but she definitely has a very strong vision about the world she wants to fill out. It is a very collaborative process, especially on the front end.

Ultimately it’s a love story though, right?

Yes, I think it’s a love story between two people and a love story about loving yourself. It is that classic idea about breaking trust or breaking something sacred and how you find it again. Okay, so they are abolished from the Garden of Eden: now what? How do we push that forward through the modern lens? [We're looking] at this sort of modern hell on earth that people live in: working in a convenience store, stripping for money, not doing much of anything. There’s that moment — and I love it that [Shaun's character] Adam does it — where he goes, “It’s not always going to be this way.” The third act is about moving back to paradise and finding another Eden that’s not on Earth.

Source: Time.com

[Watch] Mariah Carey Brings "The Voice" To 2013 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting

Mariah Carey must have known she couldn't mess about with tricks and backing tracks when performing at the 81st Annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City. After all, she was on the bill with Leona Lewis, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson and Mary J Blige- all singers who have cited her as their own inspiration. Even still, I wasn't expecting this level of vocal health from the songbird!

It was evident from watching Joy To The World- which was a brave choice to sing, fully live, considering how full on it is- that the Diva's stamina is in better shape than it has been in a long while. It was because of this improvement that Mariah was sustaining belts and switching registers like the glory days.(Okay, a tiny bit hyperbolic, but it was still impressive to watch).

In addition to that, it was refreshing to watch Mariah not try to recreate the studio versions of the songs. Instead she switched up the arrangements for Joy To The World and All I want For Christmas on the fly. Something a person (me), who has watched too many live performances of these songs, really appreciated. Hopefully we'll see more of this approach from now on.

Is this a positive sign for the next chapter in the book of Mariah Carey's ever evolving voice? Only time will tell. But I sure am pumped for her next live showing!

[Watch] Kelly Clarkson Rocks 2013 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Rockefeller Center

Kelly Clarkson brought a change of pace to the proceedings to the 2013 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Rockefeller Center.

Wrapped up all in red, like a pregnant present, the singer gave a belting performance of Run Run Rudolph. It was an energetic rendition that was exhilarating to watch. Of course Kelly's vocals were on point, but something about this performance was even more impressive than usual- that closing riff was something! This was the best vocal of the night for me.

From Rock to Blues, Kelly was serving variety with song number two- and Elvis cover- Blue Christmas. Though changes were heard in the tempo and style, the vocal remained unflinchingly gorgeous, with both songs benefiting from her (slightly) raspy delivery.

I tell you what, Wrapped in Red's lead single Underneath The Tree didn't exactly light up my world. However, these two performances have done what that failed to do and has convinced  me to pick up Kelly's Christmas album, post haste.

[Watch] Leona Lewis Takes Christmas To The 2013 Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony

Leona Lewis was hit and miss for me during her set for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Rockefeller center.

Singing three songs from her own Christmas album, Christmas, With Love, the Diva gave one great rendition and another not so great. I've yet to see the third performance, so don't know if it was another iffy showing from the singer- something that seems to be more common these days- or overall a good set, minus the one mishap.

One More Sleep was the track Leona handled well. The possible reason for this could have something to do with her having sung it live a few times already, thus being more confident with it. White Christmas was the mess. Either she was doing some crazy jazz interpretation or was just flat and off- I'm going with the latter. And even if it was the former, it still wasn't pleasant to my ears. I wish it could be Christmas Everyday, AKA the "decider", was the one performance I couldn't seem to track down. I will update if and when I find.

Christmas, With Love is out now!

[Watch] Ariana Grande Wows With "Love Is Everything" And "Last Christmas" @ Rockefeller Center

Ariana Grande continued her consistent streak of great live performances this year at the 2013 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Singing original song Love is Everything, and a cover of Last Christmas, the pint-sized singer didn't miss a note, bringing effortless vocals despite the cold conditions. There was also a noticeable and appreciated change in her delivery style- being less overtly showy (in range and melisma) than usual. I'm not sure what else to add other than she was great and looked as cute as a button!

[Excuse the "watercolour" recording of Last Christmas, I couldn't find a better copy. You should still be able to hear Ariana's vocal under the person's voice]

[New Music] Leona Lewis Serves Up Operatic Vocals On "Ave Maria"

Fine, so it's not legitimately "operatic"- more a faux-classical sound- but it does allow us to hear some of the classical training Leona Lewis received as a youngster put to use. It's not a style of singing we hear often from the X-Factor winner, but it's certainly a direction she should consider venturing into if the pop career fails to reignite.

Sang over a simple piano accompaniment, the Diva's take on Ave Maria shows off Leona's effortless head-voice, beautifully. There is a little too much reverb on the vocal for my liking, however I can appreciate that it does add to the ethereal/Churchy feel of the Schubert classic.

Ave Maria is taken from the Diva's Christmas album, Christmas, With Love, which was released on the 29 November.