It’s that time of year again when the music community comes together and honors itself? This year, it’s sadly under the shadow of Whitney Houston’s death. Most may be thinking, why cover the Grammys? The word music comes from the Greek word mousa, which means Muse, but it also contains within it a root for the word incantation, giving music a magical element (I mean don’t you remember the tale of Orpheus?). And that’s what music does, it has that magical effect on people, and it continues to on me, that is if it’s genuine. Music will always be my first love, and I will always share that with the world.

But with that, lets get on with the show!

Opening performance: Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band

There’s something about Bruce Springsteen and his ability to stay relevant to the times, like he’s the conscience of society. However dumb that sounds to you, Springsteen and company killed it. In a way, this was the perfect band to kick off the night; in 2011 they lost their long time sax player Clarence Clemons, and in this performance they show how to celebrate the life of someone though music. With the unique addition of strings, the band held nothing back performing their new song  “We Take Care of Our Own.”

This cut is from Bruce Springsteen’s new album Wrecking Ball, out March 6th. Springsteen has fully come into that role of filling Pete Seger and Woody Guthrie’s shoes and does so with great rock flare, beautiful lyricism, and that ability to paint pictures with words. Atlantic City will always be his most beautiful painting, at least to me, but he’s still got IT.

Performance Rating: ****1/2

Host LL Cool J leads everyone in a prayer for Whitney, and shares a Grammy moment. He also, thankfully, doesn’t hawk his clothing line on the show. I don’t know, something tells me the man is desperate to move back stock, but I digress. Acknowledging that their was a “death in the family,” the prayer made for an awkward moment, surprisingly after that Nicki Minaj, Emperor Palpatine’s Royal Guard outfit coupled with the walk down the red carpet with a Bishop. To his credit, it was an elephant in the room, and he took it head on so props, and someday I may back some back stock in support.

Performance: Bruno Mars

Despite being caught with some coke, Bruno Mars performs “Runaway Baby” with Whitney in mind. Despite that, controversy aside, it was a pretty good performance. The band’s outfits were nostalgic and fitting with the song; Mars himself is a solid singer, and whether you can stand him or not, the guy has talent.

Performance Rating: ****

Next up, Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt perform a nice, intimate rendition of the Etta James classic “Sunday Kind of Love” in her honor. With Keys and Piano and Raitt on Guitar, it was a short, flawless performance worthy of five stars. They also present the award for Best Pop Solo Performance to Adele for “Someone Like You.” If you’re surprised, stop reading this now!

Performance: Chris Brown

Speaking of elephants in the room, Chris Brown had a performance; well he danced, that was about it. There is something artists who record their song once and never sing it again while continually making money. Anyway he umm, can’t say “perform” here… he dances to his song “Turn Up the Music.”

If you want to dance, isn’t that what they have movies like Step Up for? If there was one tweet that summed it up it was this: “Chris Brown’s performance would be so much more entertaining if he was getting punched lifeless in the face.” Props for the dancing, I guess.

Performance Rating: **

Marc Anthony, who I guess got the Grammys in the divorce, and Fergie who supposedly went conservative with her fashion this year, come out to present the award for Best Rap Performance.

And the Winnter Is: Jay-Z & Kanye West for “Otis.” If you haven’t heard why I think this song, and the album it comes from is an abomination, read it HERE.

Performance: Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson

When you’re introduced by someone like Reba, there may be a lot to live up to, but this was pretty lack luster. It wasn’t just the fact that Aldean was a little pitchy, but the performance lacked passion of any kind between the two artists.

At one point, Aldean’s mic cut out, and was summed up by an emphatic tweet: “did they turn of Jason Aldean’s mic or was that the mic refusing to be used for such off-key notes anymore?” Well, at least it was better than Chris Brown, and what was with that Steampunk back drop?

Performance Rating: ***

Performance: Foo Fighters

The Foo’s were banished to something called “The Grammy Tent” for their first performance, a rendition of their hit “Walk.” I need not say much more, The Foo’s are solid and rock the house anywhere, anytime.

Performance Rating: *****

Peformance: Rhianna & Coldplay

The idea for this performance was intriguing at first, but the execution of it failed. Rihanna hits the stage performing her newish hit “We Found Love.” The performance is decent, Rihanna looks hot, and if you saw her dress earlier in the evening, she was turning some heads. Then, Rihanna transitions into a Coldplay song called “Princess of China.” Joined with Chris Martin on acoustic guitar, it sounds strange, and doesn’t mesh well together. After this short interlude, Coldplay rips into “Paradise” and in doing so we get the distinct feeling that they can’t hit the high notes in the song. It’s rough, but It’s fracking Coldplay.

Performance Rating: ***

And for another awkward moment in music history, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz of the New York Giants, and actor Pauley Perrette present the award for Best Rock Performance.

And the Winner is: Foo Fighters for “Walk.” Not much of a shocker here, The Foo’s racked up five Grammys in rock cattegories.

Performance: Maroon 5, Foster the People, Beach Boys

Ryan Seacrest introduces these three acts as the pay tribute to the Beach Boys and their reunion. Maroon 5 does a pretty decent rendition of “Valley Girl,” and while the harmonies aren’t fully there, M5 do a pretty good job with it. Then kick it over to Foster the People who do a rendition of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Lead singer, Mark Foster, does his best Zach Braff impression, but actually steps it up for a pleasant cover. Then, what you’ve all been waiting for, The Beach Boys themselves show both bands how to do it correctly. May I suggest that, had you gotten a band like Fleet Foxes to do this, it would have gone better, but Beach Boys in true form, and Brian Wilson looking like a frightened dog pissing himself, rock the house!

Performance rating: ***1/2

Performance: Paul McCartney

As of the week prior, McCartney released his album of standards called Kisses on the Bottom. I didn’t give it the greatest review, but he performs the track “My Valentine,” written by McCartney himself. The biggest issue I have with this rendition is that I just don’t feel it from McCartney, the passion isn’t there, and I mean he’s sitting during the performance (I don’t remember Sammy, Dean, or Frank really sitting much.). However, I’ll look past that, the band was awesome, accompanied by Joe Walsh on rhythm guitar. Damn, this music is growing on me.

Performance Rating: ***1/2

Actor, Rapper, all around awesome Common appears with Taraji P. Henson to present the award for Best R&B Album.

And the Winner Is: Chris Brown for F.A.M.E. While it’s been an interesting come back for Brown, the category was weakly nominated, Brown was inevitable to win.

Performance: The Civil Wars & Taylor Swift

The Civil Wars, the band you most likely downloaded after hearing their 60 second performance, and if you didn’t you should be ashamed, introduces Taylor Swift. Stemming from their recent work on the track “Safe & Sound” for the upcoming Hunger Games film, the band rip through a short rendition of “Barton Hollow” and absolutely nail it. They should have been given a full performance, but sadly no, and even more startling is their non-nomination for best new artist.

Taylor Swift comes out and performs her song “Mean.” Good performance, concept is cool, and while her success is deserved, Swift is a little pitchy.

The Civil Wars Performance Rating: *****

Taylor Swift Performance Rating: ***1/2

Neil Patrick Harris comes out to present the Grammy for Song of the Year.

And the Winner is: Do I even need to say it, Adele for “Rolling in the Deep.”

Performance: Katy Perry

As much as I’m not really a fan of Katy Perry, I’ll give her a lot of props for this performance. It was emotionally fueled, while she performed “E.T.” and a new song called “Part of Me,” which is definitely about her recent divorce. Aided with fire, it was an explosive performance. Hell she even performs a magic trick!

Performance Rating: ***1/2

Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley present the Grammy for Best Country Album to Lady Antebellum for We Own the Night.

Performance: Adele

The performance every one was waiting for. The come back of the young year, after vocal surgery, Adele rips into “Rolling in the Deep.” Not many words need to be said; Adele shows us what music is really about.

Performance Rating: *****

Performance: Glen Campbell Tribute – The Band Perry, Blake Shelton, and Glen Campbell

Speaking of Chris Brown, the Grammys decide to do a tribute to Glen Campbell; he’s developed Alzheimers and will be making is final touring appearance in a town near you. Taylor Swift introduces, and The Band Perry shows us that they are a really solid band, showing “Gentle on My Mind” a fitting cover. Next up, Blake gives us “Southern Nights” and does a decent job of doing it, it’s not as good as the Band Perry’s but he is pure BS and showing it. Next up, Glen rips into “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and as good and entertaining as his performance is, what is even better is Paul McCartney’s enjoyment of it.

Performance rating: ****1/2

Tony Bennett & Carrie Underwood come out to present the Grammy for Best New Artist.

In Grammy’s shocker moment this year, they present the award to Bon Iver. Let’s be honest, those that watched didn’t think he would win, nobody did, but he deserved the win. And was so humble, that he didn’t really know what to say when receiving it.

Performance: Jennifer Hudson

I’ve heard so much criticism of this performance, over any of the others. They put this short tribute together within hours of Whitney dying, they did was they could, and Hudson while not perfect, and David Otunga missing, did the song justice. Let’s also mention, Whitney wasn’t the first to sing it, and Dolly Parton actually did a really good job with it originally.

Performance Rating: ****1/2

Performance: Electronic Tribute & Nicki Minaj

Yeah, I’m not going to talk much on these performances, they were abominations. The electronic tribute became one when the Foo Fighters, who proclaimed that auto-tune sucks, joined David Guetta, Chris Brown, and Dead Mau5 on stage. Yeah folks, that’s authenticity there. And Nicki Minaj, yeah it was controversial, but it was terrible. Plus this Grammys was mostly about singing, not over the top bullshit.

Performance ratings: 0

To end the night, Lady Antebellum present Adele with the Grammy for Record of the Year, Dianna Ross gave her one for Album of the Year, and Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, David Grohl, and Bruce Springsteen brought down the house at the end with the Abbey Road closers “Golden Slumbers/Carry the Weight/The End.”

The Grammys can be summed up with one image

All in all, a good Grammy awards, one that honored actual music, instead of crap. kudos folks