The Nexus

Jolene Xie

...Kid Rock would get snubbed and the Jonas Brothers would most certainly not be “Best New Artist.” But on the other hand, we’re not too afraid to applaud cough-syrup sippin’ rappers, angsty doo-woppers, tripped-out hip-hop and folksy beardos. To see who we did like in ’08, and maybe see a few names you may not be familiar with, take a look below.

Best Album- Dear Science- TVotR

While mixing classic doo-wop harmonies with new-age synth may be a little like mixing peanut butter and orange chicken, TV on the Radio (TUotR) does it with such fluidity and grace that it seems more like Oreos and milk. TVotR is a difficult band to understand. One minute you’ll be up on your feet dancing and the next tearing up. TVotR’s lyrics reflect a feeling of angst amongst the band members as they look at the reality of life; yet, amongst the sad lines, the band also offers some hope. “Golden Age” serves as a prophecy for the New Year and perhaps for the band’s future. Whether it be for mankind or TV on the Radio, “there’s a Golden Age coming’ round.” — Jacob Nitti

Best New Artist- Fleet Foxes

Perhaps no group had a bigger year in ‘08 than Fleet Foxes. The quintet kicked off the year with the release of the critically-acclaimed Sun Giant EP. The album combined modern rock with classic folk and the result is glorious. Lead singer Robin Pecknold has a soft, steady voice that is matched perfectly by the gentle playing of guitarist Skyler Skjelset. Fleet Foxes followed up with the self-titled album Fleet Foxes, a contender for album of the year. Look for the band to expand on this year’s success and become a major force in the alternative rock world. — Jacob Nitti

Best Song- ”So What”- Pink

I think this pop song is going to be the sea-shanty of the 21st century. The hook is pure Blackbeard, the lyrics are pure bravado and they could carry a lesser pop star’s song. But then the whole cut morphs into an indomitable synth chorus before cannonballing back to the piratical hook one last time. Guess who’s bringing the Jolly Roger back? — Kevin Crowley

Best Music Video-”Put a Ring on It”- Beyoncé

Was there ever any doubt? That black one-piece, the bionic hand, the dramatic lighting changes, the dance of the year…who could deny it? You don’t argue with a trio of beauties wearing those heels that manage to pull off those moves. And despite being distracted by a few prime samples of booty-shaking, I always managed to nail that “Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh” hook in sing-along. Put a ring on it, indeed! — Kevin Crowley

Best Rock Song-”Violet Hill”-Coldplay

It’s not really “rock”, but this song is a piano-pounding stomper. More than close enough. Coldplay had a huge year, and a lot of the talk for Best Rock Song went to “Viva la Vida,” but “Violet Hill” has diversity: a nifty little guitar hook and a great falsetto chorus. I missed the old-fashioned Coldplay sound, but here, Coldplay mixes it up without losing its roots. Plus it’s one time I’ve felt Chris Martin has earned some props for lyrics. That’s 3- for-3, if you were keeping track, which means I’m hard-pressed to pass this little ditty up. — Kevin Crowley

Best Rock Album-Consolers of the Lonely-The Raconteurs

This one’s a grower. I found the title track extremely satisfying, especially the combustible outro. But the album as a whole seemed a little scattershot. That is, until I listened to standout “Carolina Drama.” Jack White as storyteller may not be as good as a guitar-hero, but the track dominates with a fire that kicks the pants off of other bands. The Racs are picking up how to craft modern rock that ain’t Nickelback or Daughtry. God bless ‘em. — Kevin Crowley

Best Rap Song- ”A Milli”-Lil Wayne

The “a milli” sample from A Tribe Called Quest’s “I Left my Wallet in El Segundo” rhythmically floods the ears for three and a half glorious minutes. The catchy sample mixed with overpowering bass and snare make this song a truly great listen. Lyrically, the song is not entirely cohesive, yet the lines are fun and Lil Wayne never misses a beat. Along with the constant reminders throughout the song, “A Milli” shows how “ill” Weezy really is. — Jacob Nitti

Best Rap Album- Tha Carter III- Lil Wayne

Listening to Tha Carter III, one cannot help but to be slightly confused. The album lacks any hint of thematic connection or cohesion, and yet I can’t get enough. Dance-floor tunes like “Lollipop” mixed with bass-crazy beats in songs like “A Milli” and soulful hooks like the one in “Let the Beat Build” keep the listener musically satisfied. Sure he rhymes “yeast infection” with “geese erection,” but you can’t help but love a rapper who drops lines like “I’m rare/Like Mr.. Clean with hair” or “I call ‘em April babies/’Cause they fools.” Lil Wayne displays an unprecedented mastery of the English language and flaunts it in his raps. Yet despite all of the great aspects of the album, I was confused by the seemingly random collage of tracks. Had the album contained some form of thematic cohesion, it may have beaten out Dear Science for album of the year. But then again, that’s not Weezy’s style. As he croons in “DontGetIt,” “Misunderstood ain’t got to be explained,” so I won’t even try. — Jacob Nitti

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance-”Bleeding Love” -Leona Lewis

A sunrise in the Himalayas. A sunset in Key West. Leona Lewis’ voice. When I think of the most gorgeous things in the entire world, Lewis’ voice comes to mind, and she flaunts this voice amazingly in “Bleeding Love”. If this song does not incite some sort of emotion in you, you are either deaf or soulless. Leona is the queen of expressing emotion through her songs and she proves it in her album Spirit. The young Leona Lewis has gone a long way from her start on reality television and will likely continue to serenade the masses for years to come. — Jacob Nitti

Best Instrumental Pop Performance-”Parisian Goldfish”-Flying Lotus

If you’ve ever watched Adult Swim and nodded along to some tripped-out hip-hop, you know FlyLo’s aesthetic. Crack breakbeats deployed underneath all manner of messy synths, righteous 8-bit Nintendo sound and muffled scratches and scrapes—and you can still dance to it. “Goldfish,” his single, is all kinds of enjoyable: the laid-back kind, the complex kind, the introspective kind, the get-down kind. Just enjoy it responsibly, please, or you might get hooked on that cowbell sample. — Kevin Crowley

Best Pop Performance by Group/Duo-”Who’s Gonna Save My Soul?”-Gnarls Barkley

I’ve never figured out why the good gents of Gnarls went from the top of the charts to a “meh” reaction from the critics on their sophomore effort, The Odd Couple. What I do know is that this brooding, waltz-time-for-bad-times ode is the most memorably moving song that I heard from any “pop” band this year. I also know it deserves to get some props from the peeps who were only ever in it for “Crazy.” Get on the deep-soul wagon with this deep cut. — Kevin Crowley