On last night’s “Colbert Report” Stephen Colbert let viewers in on the process of filling out his Grammy ballot. To determine who won his vote for Best Alternative Music Album, Colbert challenged Vampire Weekend and The Black Keys to a “sellout-off.”
The host kicked off the sketch by showing off the Grammy he won last January for Best Comedy Album thanks to A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!
After pegging Justin Bieber as the obvious choice for the Best New Artist, Colbert moved on to his favorite category – Best Alternative Music Album.
“For the squares out there, alternative refers to the under the radar, independent music that edgy, anti-establishment types can buy at Starbucks,” Colbert said.
After disqualifying Arcade Fire, Band Of Horses and Broken Bells for various reasons Colbert declared that his vote would go to The Black Keys for Brothers or Vampire Weekend for Contra.
The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney appeared on the show along with Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig to help Colbert make the right decision.
“The only way to determine which alternative band has the most edgy, non-commercial appeal is which one got their songs in more commercials,” Colbert explained, noting that to enter the contest, the groups must “leave your souls at the door.”
Check out the video below as Vampire Weekend pits their Honda, Tommy Hilfiger and Hewlett-Packard commercials against The Black Keys’ Zales, Victoria Secret and Sony Ericsson ads.