The disparity reflects differing criterion for what represents "artistic excellence." In Grammy-speak, "artistic excellence" is really about the biggest commercial successes on the biggest record labels. The top 10 biggest-selling albums of 2005 all received Grammy nominations, but only two cracked the top 40 of the critics poll.As long as all that matters is units sold, the Grammys will not be a valid representation of artistic achievement in music. They may get a few right here and there, by dumb luck, but they will still continue to miss most of the artistically relevant music being made today.
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With the Grammys representing an industry that is still not attuned to independent music, let alone Internet culture, it's inevitable that the gap between the big awards show and the Web tastemakers will only widen in the next few years.
This year, only three artists placed high in both Pazz & Jop and Bloggergate, and also received Grammy nominations: My Morning Jacket, LCD Soundsystem and West. And of this trio, only West is nominated in any of the major Grammy categories.
He did it by making an album that appealed to both casual music fans and aficionados, a triumph of pop mastery and artistic daring that defined its moment, and actually has a chance to outlast it. It's possible to imagine discerning listeners catching up to a forward-thinking song such as "Gone" 20 years from now and being blown away. That's the sort of musicmaking that appealed to the bloggers and the critics, while his advocates within the Grammys appreciate West's ability to translate those ideas into eye-popping sales.
Links of interest:
Pazz & Jop Best of 2005, Village Voice
Pitchfork Top 50 of 2005
My Best of 2005
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