This show must go: Grammy nominations

The Grammy nominations this year will inspire loud raspberry choruses from several corners of the popular music world. Album and record of the year are dominated by acts at the very center of the mainstream, suggesting those sales, are more genteel artistic standards.

The Black Eyed Peas, certainly not the critic’s favorites, received more nominations than anyone except for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. And instead of a hot newcomer like Amy Winehouse shaking up the ballot, there’s only Maxwell, whose multiple nominations are greatly deserved, but who defies the stereotype of the critics’ favorite on multiple counts.

This nominations show has got to go. Wednesday night completely overturned that approach in an hour of rushed performances that did little more than remind us that those darn Peas have become inescapable. LL Cool J, hosting for a second year, was charming throughout. Maxwell’s performance of Michael Jackson’s The Lady in My Life, which served as the evening’s requisite MJ tribute, not only stood out, it made a quiet case for itself as one of the best televised musical performances of the year.

To read more on this story go to latimes.com. Let us know your thoughts on the Grammy nominations.