Last night, one of the biggest upsets in Grammy history occurred. Arcade Fire won Album of the Year for The Suburbs.
Fortunately, when something historical (yes, it was historical: The Suburbs was the first indie rock album to take him the award) happens, you get to look at it through the eyes of people who observe it happen. Which is both awesome and terrifying, because most of the people who buy music now are soldiers of the Clear Channel army, never encountering music beyond what’s playing on the radio. Until they’re recruited into the realm of hipsterdom.
And Twitter was able to preserve all the reactions of people who had no idea who the hell Arcade Fire were. People who were living under rocks, in various sheds, confused when Eminem or Lady Gaga or Lady Antebellum didn’t wander away with their arms full of crafted bronze, or gold, or whatever Grammys are made of. (The soldered tears of orphaned Russian children.) And they range from hilarious to more hilarious – including ‘What the fuck is the arcade fries?’
You can see all of the awesome reactions compiled on http://whoisarcadefire.tumblr.com/. It makes me enthralled and fearful of our future generations, who’ll probably wonder what jazz music is or why anybody is listening to any of the other two artists being promoted.
Comments
bill martin
February 14th, 2011 - 11:17:20 PM
The fact that many do not know who Arcade Fire is really their loss. This band has produced three great albums. The only reason they are not on the regular play lists is that they are a totally independent band. More and more bands are going this route and this will be viewed as the break through for those not backed by the big labels. Instead of asking "who they are" or "how did they win", go to youtube and listened to a great band that many of us already know. Congratulations Arcade Fire and to those that voted for them. We are all the better for it.
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monica
February 15th, 2011 - 2:17:13 AM
This post is being ridiculous. By this you can only be implying that what plays the most should win album of the year aka Justin Bieber? The person who wrote this was clearly on drugs.
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ny lee
February 15th, 2011 - 6:13:50 PM
arcade fire has been around for awhile. their music is awesome. i wouldn't really call them an indie band, they went mainstream awhile ago. people are just too used to crap pop that's on the cover of US weekly, etc. that's America for you.
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