Radiohead flashed back to Fleetwood Mac circa 1979 for last night’s Grammy Awards. The band got all “Tusk” with their performance of “15 Step,” even calling upon the very same marching band. That’s the USC Marching Trojans (aka The Spirit of Troy) providing the musical muscle behind Thom Yorke & Co.:

Admittedly, I’ve been a wayward fan of Radiohead for the past few years, but that brilliant performance won the night and me over, all over again. The band did not take the Album of the Year prize, but In Rainbows was named Best Alternative Album and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.

Contrast such genius with the snoozefest that was Robert Plant and Alison “Fan’s Best Friend” Krauss. Did Mariah give them a loaner for the night? Krauss’ need for windblown locks (even while waiting in the wings!) seems a little too glam and a whole lot less bluegrassy to me.

As I’d hoped earlier in the day, the night did bring great news for Adele, and I couldn’t be happier. Out of her four nominations, Miss Brit 2008 is taking two trophies back across the pond, Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. And even though Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles chimed in on “Chasing Pavements,” surprisingly it all worked quite nicely.

How great was it to see a stunning Whitney Houston, though clearly the cleaned-up chanteuse has (still) got your crazy. Coldplay made me love them a little more, thanks to a pre-show 60 Minutes interview and an energetic live Grammy double-shot of “Lost” and “Viva La Vida” (though more Guy Berryman next time, please). And Jennifer Hudson wowed with a win for Best R&B Album and an emotional performance of “You Pulled Me Through” in which all the pain of the last few months was brought to bear.

Standout performances aside (just a handful, really), the 51st Annual Grammy Awards was too much concert and not enough awards ceremony. What, ten categories were televised? (Here’s the full list of winners.) With the travesty that is Plant/Krauss nabbing both Album of the Year and Record of the Year, I hope I get over it all in time to tune in again next year.

“Please Read The Letter”? Um, please promise never to play that plodding song within my earshot or I’ll catch a bus to Detroit and eat Aretha’s giant hat.

Purchase Radiohead’s “15 Step” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.