The Grammys...

I for one quite enjoy this awards ceremony fiasco. Yes it is ridiculous but, for me at least, it is a way of discovering new and interesting projects, while it also provides fodder for water-cooler talk in the office the next morning...

The Grammys were held the night before last. Now the Grammys are always a bit of fun (Interesting duets and performances guaranteed!), but you have to wade through a considerable amount of crap to reach anything of interest. I'll keep this to the rock and alternative side of the awards ceremony. Apologies if you came here looking to read about Taylor Swift or Beyonce, you are in the wrong place.

First up let's look at the "Rock" categories.

There were wins for Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Jeff Beck and Green Day (REALLY!? Best Rock Album? I have to say that the nominees for Best Rock Album were clearly mixed up with Worst Rock Album... Not a single record there that I would even consider owning! Why wasnt "Working on a Dream" nominated in this category? Bruce's return to form has been highly commended all round and surely this would have been a perfect fit to end with?); while everyone's favourite U2 wannabees the Kings of Leon won two awards for the tripe that's been polluting our airwaves for what seems like an eternity. Yes "Use Somebody" is much better than "Sex on Fire", but god I miss the days where they were the Southern Strokes... I'm praying album number five will be a return to the country music days of old and not a further prance into stadium rock "glory".

Best Alternative Music album went to Phoenix for "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". Given the other nominees I cant complain here. "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" is an irresistable and enjoyable record and I'd highly recommend getting your hands on it if you dont have it already, though I have to ask why Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors or even the Antlers werent nominated here? What more can one expect from the Grammys though.

The highlight of the night for me, however, was a spellbinding performance from Imelda May and Jeff Beck. Their tribute to Les Paul, "How High Was The Moon", just shows the heights that May has reached in the last year. Less than twelve months ago she was breaking in Ireland, and now she's performing on the Grammys. I could not be happier for her and hope that her stock continues to rise!

Check out "Johnny Got A Boom Boom" for a look at the girl.

Congrats to Phoenix, Bruce and Imelda... As for the rest? Well...