We can’t dare sit around and think we are shocked. The 52nd edition of the Grammy Awards occurred last night, and as expected, the recording industry, in the face of declining record sales and a perceived lack of importance made a dramatic stand for the international mainstream, and in the process delivered an awards program that was perfunctory and devoid of intrigue or controversy, a call to norms instead of a call to arms. In many ways the awards show that has become the stamp of cultural importance has become MTV’s Video Music Awards, the 2009 event being landmark for a lack of adherence to any social or moral compass on one hand, and on the other having a fairytale ability to tell the stories of Taylor Swift and Kanye West. But the Grammies soldiered on, and in the 2010 edition, we learned a great deal about how an industry hunkers down and prepares to make a comeback.

The big trophy winners of the night were the Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Lady Gaga. These were all worthy champions, but in some cases, the most maligned of artists in the past year. In accepting their award for “Use Somebody” as the Record of the Year, the Kings stated they were “drunk, but a happy drunk,” as the cleaned up indie rock gods finally ascended to the throne of pop royalty so richly deserved.

Lady Gaga by comparison to her MTV Awards histrionics was muted, instead of appearing to have lost all semblance of common and sartorial sense there, last night her fashions were wild, but definitely toned down. Her show opening performance with a slightly less than stellar “Poker Face” was more than made up for with the always excellent Elton John doing a duet of The Fame Monster’s torch ballad “Speechless,” and Sir Elton’s “Your Song.” The bizarrely staged spectacle did more than her two gramophone wins for cementing her growing instant legacy as an icon of gay camp blended with immense and universal entertainment value.

Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Carter were front row center and Beyonce’s six wins is a Grammy record for a female artist, as her maturation into this generation’s Diana Ross is near complete, even shining through a curious choice of performing “If I Were a Boy” and a spirited yet misguided cover of Alanis Morrissette’s “You Oughta Know” while flanked by Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation 1814 era recalling footsoldiers. Her husband took home awards for “D.O.A.” and for “Run This Town,” more nods to his cross cultural importance blended with the excellence of the songs. If anything, from doting on Solange Knowles’ son who was front row center, or Beyonce thanking “her husband,” to Jay-Z appearing to be a proud husband, the Carters are destined to reach pop royalty status as the first family of pop excellence.

As always, fantastic performances dotted the evening. Swathed in white linen then once again dazzling the crowd with Cirque du Soleil level mid-air histrionics, Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” was, as was her performance at MTV’s event that duplicated the feat, the most visually arresting moment of the proceedings. Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, Slash, old school rap legend Doug E. Fresh and a full orchestra gave the most energetic performance of the night, Foxx looking like a Civil War general exhorting the orchestra and crowd to feel every word of the R&B Song of the Year. Drake, Eminem and Lil Wayne with backing on the drums by Travis Barker and a live band gave an excellent but expected performance of “Forever,” easily one of the more pop friendly and successful collaborations of the past year.

Darling of the universe Taylor Swift underwhelmed in the spotlight, as her performance suffered from the inclusion of Fleetwood Mac legend Stevie Nicks, who in one minute ofher guest spot singing “Rhiannon” excised from the minds of millions any belief that Swift was a polished and prime time performer worthy of eight nominations and four victories. Her Album of the Year win for Fearless after her performance feeling more like flash in the pan and guide to country success than promise of pop prominence. Country took a beating again in the performance department with Best New Artist winners the Zac Brown Band performing with pianist Leon Russell. As was the case all night long, experienced veteran performers shined with tremendous poise and charisma when next to their younger counterparts. The final “eh” performance of the night were the Black Eyed Peas who in theory gained the most from the night as their venture into underground dance yielded immense profit, but to borrow a line from Jay-Z, the Peas are the leading force of innovation in pop music right now and appear to be mentally already checked out of the success of The E.N.D. and “on to the next one,” the next style to co-opt, infiltrate and make lucrative.

Props need to be extended as well to the likes of Maxwell, who merely walked onstage and proved his talent in a situation where he needed to be successful. His award winning BLACKsummer’s Night album stands to be a big gainer on the Billboard chart due to his composure and elegance in front of an audience that may have never seen him prior or had completely forgotten how understated yet elegant the superstar R & B vocalist is. The 3D performance of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” was tastefully done and moving, if surprisingly unspectacular. Usher, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Celine Dion were flawless, but in bookending it with Michael’s oft paraded for pathos children offering paeans for their dead father, it more signaled a need to finally let the Jackson family have peace and closure than anything particularly awe-inspiring.

The Grammy Awards were more substance than spectacle in a post Kanye West world. He wasn’t there, and neither were any fireworks or histrionic behavior. Sadly, these are now perceived as necessity on music award programs instead of happy accidents. In a recession in a depressed and tired society, the sizzle matters more than the steak. The talents that won were certainly deserving, but on a show where the most shocking thing was host Stephen Colbert’s terrible and forced opening monologue, we were all expecting more. Somehow in expecting more from the hype than from the artists shows just how much we as a society have devalued music on a financial and personal level. The Grammys were a tale of excellence and decadence, a plethora of one, a lack of another, thus providing so many answers about the nature and state of the music industry.

Like I said in my post for Best Albums of 2009, the quality of music in 2009 was amazing. Narrowing down a list of hundreds of songs to just 34 was tough. But here they are, our favorite songs of 2009.

34. Theophilus London- Humdrum Town
The hook for Chris Cornells’ “Part Of Me” starts with “That Bitch Ain’t a Part of me.” From that moment on you know this is a song worth hearing.

33. Chris Cornell – Part of Me
The hook for Chris Cornells’ “Part Of Me” starts with “That Bitch Ain’t a Part of me.” From that moment on you know this is a song worth hearing.

32. Anjulie – Boom
While Nelly Furtado is doing whatever she’s doing now Anjulie has quitely stepped into her shoes. “Boom” is a smokey track that’s bound to be stuck in your head after hearing it once.

31. FatGums x Bambu – Strapped
FatGums and Bambu make a great duo. Their song “Strapped,” which features a creative vocal sample from Biggie is a standout track for 2009.

30. Melanie Fiona – Give It To Me Right
Melanie Fiona’s “Give It To Me Right” took me by surprise. The sample is so recognizable I didn’t think anyone could make a dope track out of it. Leave it to this vocalist to do just that. It has all the sass and punch to make Beyonce blush.

30. Pet Shop Boys – More Than A Dream
Pet Shop Boys still can make a credible dance-pop song after all these years. “More Than A Dream” should have been a single from their album Yes.

29. Muse – Uprising
Muse frontman Matt Bellamy knows exactly how to take angst and make an anthem out of it. It helps that his voice is as pure as water. “Uprising” is one of the best rock joints of 2009.

28. Tom Foolery – Close Up
I first heard this joint on Bangladesh’s mixtape Passport Music and it’s quickly become a favorite. The track is dope and finds Foolery, who I think is a rapper, outcrooning R&B dudes like Trey Songz, Usher & Drake. Oops. Anyways, this is a pretty dope jam.

27.Black Eyed Peas – Meet Me Halfway
will.i.am is a pop genius and this song proves it. “Meet Me Halfway” is a pop jam that finds Fergie channeling the best of Cyndi Lauper and Madonna.

26. N*E*R*D feat Santigold -Soldier
A N*E*R*D and Santigold collaboration is inevitable and after hearing “Soldier” undeniable.

25. Shannel feat Lil’ Wayne – Play in my Band
Shannel is Lil’ Wayne’s other female artist, and in my opinion, she’s alot doper than Nicki Minaj. Her track “Play in my Band” has the edginess Rihanna tries to have in her new music.

24. Amon Tobin/Ms. Jade – Better Get That

Most people have never heard of Ms. Jade or this song. But it’s doper than dope! Ms. Jade is a beast on the mic and Amon Tobin is a beast on the beats.

23. Q-Tip feat Lil’ Wayne, Raekwon & Busta Rhymes – Renaissance Rap (Remix)
I love hearing emcees eat a beat with the hunger of a homeless man. Q-Tip’s remix of “Renaissance Rap” finds Lil’ Wayne, Busta & Raekwon lyrically demolishing a track.

22. GotDion – Yer Dumb (I’m Fly)
GotDion is a producer/rapper from VA and has promise. If this track “Yer Dumb (I’m Fly)” is any indication, we hope to hear more from him.

21. Gucci Mane feat Plies – Wasted
Gucci Mane is catchy and this song is undeniable.

20. J*DaVeY- Duh, Duh, Duh
Though some people don’t like J*DaVeY doing something this pop, I love it. It’s catchy and fun.

19. Ben Carson – Temptation
Ben Carson is bringing back black rock! “Temptation” finds itself in rotation at least once a day in my home.

18. Jay-Z- Venus Vs. Mars
While Blueprint 3 was an utter disappointment it had it’s two moments. This song was one of them. Makes me reminiscence on days when Jay was the master of wordplay.

17. Imogen Heap – 2 – 1
It’s Imogen Heap, what else is there to say?

16. Major Lazer – Pod de floor’ feat. VYBZ Kartel
I could make a separate list for best beats of 2009 and this would be number one. Major Lazer and VYBZ Kartel bought it with this track.

15. Kid Cudi – Heart of a Lion
This is my theme song of 2009! Kid Cudi knows how to make anthems.

14. La Roux- Colorless Color
This song is a mix of Depeche Mode and Duran Duran, two of my favorite 80′s bands. La Roux’s voice and lyrics make the track that much more enjoyable.

13. Drake feat Trey Songz & Lil’ Wayne – Successful
It took me a while to get into Drake. I’m still not there, but this song is undeniable, whether it’s Trey Songz’ catchy hook or Wayne’s sick but short verse at the end “Successful” is a dope song.

12. Shakira feat Wyclef Jean – Spy
Wyclef needs to make an entire album with Shakira. I swear when these two get into the studio they make magic, and “Spy” is no different.

11. Peaches – Lose You
Who knew Peaches could get soft? “Lose You” is pseudo-ballad that Madonna would have killed to sing.

10. Dirty Money feat The Notorious B.I.G. – Angels
Leave it to Diddy to still be reaping off the success of Biggie. But I can’t deny, “Angels” is a dope track. It’s always refreshing to hear Biggie’s voice, and over this old Jigga beat, this is a winner.

09. Lil’ Wayne – Run This Town (Freestyle)
Wayne is the best rapper alive and this song is proof.

08. Blac Waldo – Kanye West is Dead
Kanye has become a punchline–again. And Blac Waldo has capitalized off it. This song is crazy.

07. Rihanna feat Young Jeezy – Hard
If Rihanna were really hard Chris Brown would be on Diane Sawyer saying “Eff Love.” But, this track is crazy regardless. And Jeezy kills his verse, subliminal shots at Gucci Mane and all.

06. Noisettes- Never Forget You
Until Amy Winehouse comes out with a new album Noisettes will have to do. “Never Forget You” is one of my favorite tracks of their albumWild Young Hearts.

05. Lady GaGa- Bad Romance
Lady GaGa is a free bitch baby! “Bad Romance” gets props for adding everything into one song and still being dope! This is art pop!

04. Amanda Blank feat Santigold – A Love Song
Amanda Blank has been an Art Nouveau favorite for a while now. I’ve been bumping this song since a snippet appeared on the Santigold and Diplo mixtape a while back. The full and finished version is just as good.

03. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Runaway
The voice, the lyrics, the beat, it’s all haunting yet alluring. Yeah Yeah Yeahs have a winner with this song.

02. Janalle Monae- Come Alive
Janelle Monae tries her best James Brown impression on this song and it works. Who else is making music like this? Nobody. I doubt Miss Monae could ever be duplicated.

01. Basement Jaxx feat Maleka, Kelis & Chipmunk- Scars
From the time this song starts its epic. Everything about this song is perfect, the beat, the lyrics, the features! Basement Jaxx prove they are geniuses at dark pop!