The producers of theGrammy Awards were hoping Bruce Springsteen’s Sept. 11 tribute anthem, “The Rising,” would be the performance that set the tone for the evening.

But it was comedian Robin Williams’ speech that truly explained what the Grammys have become.

“Listen!” said Williams as he held the show’s trademark statuette to his ear. “You can actually hear careers ending!”

This year’s ceremony had its usual fare of forgettable (Ashanti performing) in a strange mix with last year’s already-gone (Alicia Keys presenting).

But this year’s best new artist was a shock to the critics and a breath of fresh air for pop music. Norah Jones swept the awards with her album, “Come Away With Me,” in all seven categories for which it was nominated. Hopefully, the curse of the award can’t bring this jazz-pop phenom to a halt.

The highlight of the night was Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and Steve Van Zandt came together in tribute to the late Joe Strummer and The Clash. The four artists, each with British accent in tow, gave a grit-filled tribute of “London Calling.”

And what would modern popular music be without a performance by Avril Lavigne. She stuck to her claims of being punk and not mainstream, and walked away without a single award. Although I wouldn’t mind the new artist curse to take her as its next victim, it was nice to see the music industry distinguish between talented upcoming musicians, artists that will never be forgotten, and the tie-wearing mallrats lying somewhere in between.