Cryptohedonology

Grammy Nominations are in again for this year. At first glance, it is the usual Grammy affair: a mix of the profound and the trivial pulled either from obvious sources or apparently arbitrarily. Like everyone else, I’m looking for the bands I care about, wanting them to win, but yet still paradoxically denouncing the whole process as a travesty. Like any good irrational being, if my guys win, I’ll believe there is hope for the Grammy’s yet. If they lose, It’ll just confirm my pre-existing biases.

In other words, it is an awards ceremony. Need any more be said?

That out of the way, being a Rush fan, I’m always looking out for the Rush nominations. Certainly didn’t expect one this year since they didn’t release any new material. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see Rush nestled up in their usual category, Best Rock Instrumental Performance, for a live version of the lovely Alex Lifeson guitar diddy Hope off of Snakes and Arrows. This live version is tagged as being off of Songs For Tibet: The Art Of Peace. This is their 6th Grammy nomination (they have never won). Last year Malignant Narcissism off of Snakes and Arrows was nominated (and lost to Springsteen).

The compete nomination list is below — and they in good company: David Gilmour, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Frank Zappa (?!). In fact, I’m going to have to say something rather blasphemous: I hope Rush DOESN’T win this year. If they win this year in this category, in this way, against these other luminaries, for an Alex Lifeson solo acoustic piece available only on an obscure compilation album, something is terribly misaligned in the universe. A proper Rush win in my mind involves a new piece performed by the entire band on an actual Rush studio album. While I do enjoy the token nod to Rush here, this would be the “wrong” way for them to win, in my opinion. Of course, if they do win, I’ll be stoked, but I’ll feel a little chagrin because deep down I’ll know it will be, in many people’s minds, like the Jethro Tull victory over Metallica back in 1988 (although, I personally believe that was a deserved victory). The win will feel a little hollow to me (although, understandably, probably not to Alex Lifeson!).

There are quite a few interesting nominations in the other less-than-prime-time Rock categories. For example, The Mars Volta (a very pleasant surprise), Judas Priest, AC/DC, Disturbed, and Rob Zombie all get nods. Anyway, have fun constructing your own I-hate-the-Grammys-but-hey-look-at-this-interesting-band-who-was-nominated polemic.

Best Rock Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.)

Castellorizon
David Gilmour
Track from: Live In Gdansk
[Columbia]

Suicide & Redemption
Metallica
Track from: Death Magnetic
[Warner Bros.]

34 Ghosts I-IV
Nine Inch Nails
Track from: Ghosts I-IV
[The Null Corporation]

Hope (Live For The Art Of Peace)
Rush
Track from: Songs For Tibet: The Art Of Peace
[Art of Peace Foundation]

Peaches En Regalia
Zappa Plays Zappa
[Strobosonic/Razor & Tie Entertainment]