Blessed are We in this Queer Week of Music...

… when the skies cracked open and the Goddess did lower a shining pair of headphones fitted for all the queer girls of this world.

I kidd-eth thee not, mere mortals—we are crashing through quite the blissful week for queer ears (when it comes to the music scene, of course). We started off with a glittery Grammy celebration, and we followed the fireworks up with a stunning array of new releases. I'm still recovering from the shock of great tracks, hence the late post.

But as you will discover, 'tis better late than never.

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Sunday, February 13/11: The 53rd Grammy Awards

Goodness glamoury—I do love the Grammys. And lo, true talent prevailed in the major award categories for the first time in decades. I know some reviewers termed the two big winners in question an "upset" to the natural order of the More Albums Sold = "Best" Artist reasoning, but I find it refreshing to see the academy push for more alternatives to the mainstream ear. Who ever decided an independent album is inferior to a major label's production? Ah, but the politics—one can never be free of 'em.

Anyhow, on to a rundown of the highlights:

Lady Gaga debuts her queertastic new single, "Born This Way"

Did anyone else feel Lady Gaga was channeling the Alien franchise with this entrance? Or, at least the Cocoon flicks? We all figured Gaga was another life form, so the comparisons seem appropriate. I know she was gunning for her last single, "Alejandro ", to be the definitive gay anthem of the new millennium (which still baffles me), but I do believe she's figured out the formula at last. Throughout the entire performance, I kept projecting myself into the 2011 Pride celebrations and you know for a fact—THIS SONG WILL DOMINATE THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE AND BEYOND. Guaranteed. And, I admit, I will approve.

Janelle Monáe Upstages Her Fellow Up-and-Comers

…though, we all sort of expected that one, am I right? Monáe electrifies when she touches the microphone, and she doesn't need a black-and-white camera filter to achieve an old school, soul-inflected sound (*cough*brunomars*cough, cough*). Though, I give points to B.o.B. for rocking a monocle on stage—I do like his brand of rap, and I have to dedicate a piece of my heart to his duet with Paramore lead singer, Hayley Williams. And then he adds a monocle to the mix? Brilliant. But overall, the stage shuddered along with Monáe's "Cold War"—and now I know who I'm fightin' for.

Bob Dylan Amalgamates Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers

Behold the staggering influence of The Bob Dylan, able to consume the talents of new stars and put their powers to use on an old-timey stage. I wanted to highlight this performance because, A) I'd never seen Mumford & Sons perform before, and the lads seem awesome, B) Ditto for The Avett Brothers, and C) WOW, Bob Dylan—I cannot understand a word you utter. Before, you mumbled; now, you gurgle…? People call you a living legend, but are you really alive, or are you pre-zombified?

Cee Lo Out-Glams Gaga, and Gwyneth Paltrow Survives Epic Heels

I am not sure how this duo formed. I don't know that a clear answer exists. Despite the oddity, I loved the performance. How could one not love the brightest, queerest stage show of the night—a performance that managed to upstage Gaga's "Born This Way"? I mean, Cee Lo's feathers? A plethora of puppets for a band? Gwyneth Paltrow in the most dangerous-looking heels I've ever seen a straight gal descend from a staircase wearing? You ought to YouTube this one if you missed it. Quite the sideshow.

Esperanza Spalding snags Best New Artist Award in the First "Upset" of the Night

I never thought a talented artist winning an award could be deemed an "upset," but the Grammy reports prove otherwise. Esperanza Spalding bested the kaleidoscopic Florence & The Machine, the boisterous Mumford & Sons, and the young'uns from the North, Drake and Justin Bieber. True, it is a rare occurrence for a jazz musician to snag an award for Best New Artist, but Spalding proves to be a towering new talent.

ARCADE FIRE TAKES THE NIGHT!

Album of the Year winners, Arcade Fire, overturn the status quo of the Grammy night and prove artistry and independence trumps the big wheels of the music biz to the south. I know our household was ecstatic with the announcement, and with the sheer fact that Arcade Fire performed both "Month of May" and "Ready to Start" to round off the 53rd Grammy Awards. I imagine the kids in Montreal and Quebec in general are elated—Arcade Fire's The Suburbs bested Eminem's comeback album, Lady Antebellum's new country classic, Katy Perry's Top 40 knockout, and Lady Gaga's international behemoth. Heh, no pressure, right? CONGRATS, ARCADE FIRE!

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This Week in New Releases

Lady Gaga, "Born This Way" (Single)

Get out the glitter and all those rainbow flags, kids—Lady Gaga breaks the winter blues with a burst of Pride. Better start memorizing the lyrics now so you're up-to-speed once the June/July season rolls around.

PJ Harvey, Let England Shake (Album)

At last—a new shot of PJ Harvey for the stereo. I needed a good aural thrashing to start the week, and I am forever dedicated to Harvey's brand of brass. Let England Shake offers a dark dystopian treat for listeners harbouring a penchant for dictatorial swagger and iron-fisted guitar riffs. I do love music spiked with speculative fiction—the fact an album of this nature is coming from Harvey makes the combination that much sweeter.

k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, "I Confess" (Single)

See what I mean, gay ladies? When I spotted a new k.d. lang single for sale, I knew we were being rewarded. On "I Confess", we are treated to lang in fine lamenting form— she confesses to the mistreatment of her lady love and begs for a second chance (um, and who would be daft enough to not offer her one million extra chances?) I would recommend updating your queer tracks now by adding "I Confess" to the mix—we've only got a handful of months before Pride, you know.

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*Dabs brow with a handkerchief*

Feels good to write an epic update for once, especially when it is of the music variety. I get distracted with new tracks and triumphant awards, and I often forget to comment on 'em.

You all can thank k.d. lang for this post.

The Glittery Girls of the 2010 Grammys

Great Golden Grammys, ladies -- the glitter's dropped and the glamour's still hanging in the air around these parts. I guess the 52nd time's a charm, right?

It was quite the evening for The First Ladies of our current pop culture climate. A new record was set and an entire evening of entertainment and mass spectacle was lavished on audiences across the continent.

Recession? Utter nonsense -- based on the grandeur of the live acts and the unbelievable number of costume changes, it seems our economy is on the rebound. Or heck, perhaps we all struck oil while running our faucets some time last night.

In either case, it was a blinding affair and a memorable one to boot.

Lady Gaga kicked off the evening and threatened to steal the entire show. I mean, that's some serious business right there. I think Lady Gaga defines the term "spectacle," so it's quite the statement to launch a show with her presence. As promised, Lady Gaga delivered a theatrical performance including a ring-master/executive who commanded a crowd of factory workers/dancers to create Gaga, The Fame Monster. She opened with "Poker Face" before she was cast into the "Rejected" section of the "Fame Factory." (Serious, YouTube this one).

Lady Gaga, Pre-destruction

The on-stage contraption opened to reveal a nightmarish, melded piano (with those clawed hands we're all so fond of) -- however, Lady Gaga had another ace hidden under those glittery layers. In fact, she launched into a duet with Sir Elton John, another performer who gained notoriety in his time through flashy outfits and equally captivating, catchy albums.

If Lady Gaga wasn't a queer favourite before, I think she's cemented her place as of last night. In addition to a fanciful performance, Lady Gaga also walked away with two awards for her efforts (Best Dance Recording, Best Electronic/Dance Album.)

If you were wondering where all the other awards disappeared to last evening, just check Beyonce's bag. Serious, she owned the Grammys on numerous levels. To start, Beyonce broke the record for number of Grammy's awarded to a female performer in one evening. In case you were counting, that's SIX statuettes (Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best Contemporary R&B Album).

To finish, Beyonce added her might to an evening of powerful, shock 'n' awe performances headed by women. She sang a rousing, hair-tousled rendition of "If I Were A Boy" (which I still have issues with on a lyrical level, but that's for another post). And, much to my eager surprise, she wove in a little bit of Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know." It was surreal to see Beyonce strutting with a more rock-pop image but, hey, I am not one to complain.

Did anyone pick up on the Xena: Warrior Princess vibe of her outfit? There's a definite echo there of the original outfit worn by Lucy Lawless. I mean, a one-piece leather corset/skirt combo, all studded and impractical for battle? Don't you just want to drool all over it?

Come on, I know you want to. Oh, and speaking of random thoughts -- I've noticed Beyonce's developing... shall we say, an "affection" for militaristic imagery throughout her live act and her videos. The number opened with Beyonce leading a special ops corps or some such collective. Interesting use of tactical man-props, if I do say so myself.

All bow to the Siren Tyrant.

Of course, a discussion of the 2010 Grammy Awards would not be complete without mentioning the young Taylor Swift. The new sweetheart of the country charts set her own record last night as she won a total of four awards on her first trip to the Grammys. She even took home the coveted Album of the Year Award for Fearless. She beat out Beyonce, the favourite for the award, and even toppled the likes of Lady Gaga to get it. I know the online debates are raging as to whether Ms. Swift "deserved" the award or not, but, when it boils down to it, the debates mean nothing -- she won it and that's how it is.

And, to make a grand night even better for the young singer, she even got to share the stage with the iconic Stevie Nicks. Not a bad start to a Grammy-studded future, I'd imagine.

Now, before I ask readers to dedicate the next few hours to a detailed rundown of the entire evening, I will cut it short and leave you with images from Pink's stunning performance. I held off from posting videos since they're all being pulled off YouTube faster than I can write this at the moment. But, serious, you NEED to watch her performance. She sang "Glitter in the Air," and, well.... that's all the explanation you need.

Pink sittin' pretty with a bronzed acrobat/gymnast.

*Can't... form... sentences...*

For a complete rundown of Grammy winners and nominees, check out the official website over here --> 2010 Grammy Awards.

So, Grammys: Hit or Miss? Did you check 'em out and pine after America's top female performers or did you boycott the affair? Or maybe you didn't know/didn't care that the Grammys were on?