Life is a Festival (Sound-raves week of 4/25/2011)

Some big announcement must have gone out today.  Looking at my Facebook News Feed, it seemed that every other band that I "like" was announcing they were playing Lollapalooza 2011, to be held in Chicago the first weekend in August.  

Now I know that these concerts can be a big extravaganza, with not only many bands playing but the frills as well...food, T-shirts and other band swag and every concoction you can think of.     It's a full day affair, with a parade of bands getting up on the main stage, not to mention any side stages and new "up-and-coming" stages elsewhere on the site.    But, what are the odds of bands that I actually like being there.

Today alone, we had status updates from Coldplay (the apparent headliners), Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, The Drums, Cage the Elephant, Delta Spirit and Foster The People; they'll all be there.   Sounds like a "who's who" on my Top 20 lists.  Maybe it's my calling that I should make my way out to the midwest to check it out.

I love festivals, especially music ones.....though obviously not on the scale as Lollapalooza, I've enjoyed the Rosendale Street Festival in New York state, having gone there several times.  Another local festival takes place around here in Sussex County called "Jamaroo", which featured last year, among other local acts, Rachel Allyn and Moving Company (featuring classmate and friend Ron Pietranowicz on keyboards).  I didn't go then, but you bet your bottom dollar that if they have it again, I will be there.    Ditto for another day long festival in Maplewood, NJ, imaginatively called "Maplewoodstock" (echoing the mother of all rock festivals up in Bethel in 1969).  Finally, in June, there's Hunter Mountain's "Mountain Jam", which will feature, among others, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals (boy, they get around, don't they?)...and I always though the "& the" groups were just a 1960's phenomenom.     Oh, and speaking of Hunter, I did, in 2008 catch their annual Celtic festival with Hothouse Flowers and MacTalla Mor.

But back to Lollapalooza which back in the 90's was a touring festival, and which one of the stops were in my vitual backyard, Waterloo Village.  Your truly was at its 1992 incarnation, held there on August 1 of that summer.

Myself, and fellow Prudential co-workers Justin Klug and Patricia Lari took a half day, met me at my apartment in Village Green, and by 12:30 we were on our way to the 1 PM start.    Route 80 was very much back-up to the exit, but luckily for us, we got in the back door: via Route 46, the entrance wasn't marked at all; only a local would know to get in that way.    Still, getting to the lot was jammed, but we made our way just as the first band, Lush was starting.     It was a great day of music, with Jesus & Mary Chain, Ministry, Soundgarden, Ice Cube, Pearl Jam, and headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, who concluded the set around midnight.   Despite almost getting trampled and losing my sunglasses (I managed to hold on to them) in the mosh pit, it was a great day.

As I'm sure it will be in Chicago this year...or anywhere else I can possibly get to.


TOP 20:

Foo Fighters has the #1 album this week with Wasting Light, while the single "Rope" holds for a second week on my list.    Knocking on the door, however, is Leila's "Hush Little Baby".  However there are some big movers in and around the list this week, led by Florence + the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over" and especially "Recharge & Revolt" by The Raveonettes.  Brooklyn's TV on the Radio and classic rock band The Cars also reach the top 20.

Adele continues to impress..."Rolling In the Deep" moves back up a notch for its 19th week in the top 10, and is also #6 on Billboard's Hot 100.   While the masses continue to enjoy it, I'm taking the lead with not one, but two new Adele songs entering my chart this week.  My Pick of the Week is what will be the follow-up single "Someone Like You", as well as "Rumour Has It", a rhythmic track from her 21 album.    My wife bought "21" last week, it is very good....she staye true to her soulful roots, but expands upon her last album exploring gospel, and even country among other styles.     Also look for a great cover of The Cure's "Lovesong".

Elsewhere around the top 100:  The Drums, another Brooklyn neo-punk outfit, debuts with their third single, "The New World", inspired by the recent tragedy in Japan, in which the proceeds will go to that country's relief efforts.... Alexander has been on my chart for three weeks with "Truth".   You may know him better as "Edward Sharpe" (of Magnetic Zeros' "Home" fame), this is a solo effort by Alex Ebert who also fronts the band Ima Robot.  Bell X1's "Velcro" is the Irish outfit's lead single from their new album, Bloodless Coup, release here early this month.   Their last album yielded "The Great Defector" which made my year end top 10 in  2009.

Finally Avi Buffalo's "What's In it For?" finally falls out of the top 100 after 32 weeks.   It now appears that the rumored new record by the band (now reduced to a duo) will actually be a solo record from frontman Avi Zahner-Isenberg due next month.

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on Chart
1	1	FOO FIGHTERS "Rope" Album: Wasting Light (2nd Week)	8
2	3	Leila - Hush Little Baby	10
3	4	Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks	14
4	2	Rachel Allyn - Gettin' By	15
5	6	Mt. Desolation - Bitter Pill	11
6	7	Adele - Rolling In the Deep	20
7	12	Florence + the Machine - Dog Days are Over	8
8	5	Peter Bjorn & John - Second Chance	12
9	23	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: THE RAVEONETTES "Recharge and Revolt" Album: Raven in the Grave	4
10	11	The Vaccines - Post Break-up Sex	7
11	8	Kings of Leon - Pyro	13
12	9	Ra Ra Riot - Too Dramatic	12
13	10	Cold War Kids - Louder Than Ever	16
14	14	Yuck - Get Away	10
15	19	Lucinda Williams - Buttercup	10
16	15	The Holidays - Moonlight Hours	14
17	18	Acrylics - Sparrow Song	9
18	27	TV On the Radio - Will Do	6
19	16	Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill	10
20	26	The Cars - Sad Song	5

21	21	Tamar Kaprelian - New Day	8
22	13	The Decemberists - This Is Why We Fight	13
23	17	Colbie Cailat - I Do	11
24	22	Jack Johnson - From the Clouds	11
25	43	Dark Sacrament - Realm of Unlight	3
26	28	Downtown Crossing - Seventy 4	10
27	29	Helvetia - Arise Pt 1	8
28	20	The Airborne Toxic Event - Changing	13
29	42	Rihanna - S&M	5
30	25	Downtown Crossing - Translation	13
31	32	Iron & Wine - Tree By the River	14
32	30	Dropkick Murphys - Memorial Day	9
33	62	Death Cab for Cutie - You are A Tourist	3
34	34	Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues	12
35	45	Company of Thieves - Death of Communications	5
36	50	Dom - Living In America	3
37	39	Devotchka - 100 Other Lovers	7
38	81	PRIME MOVER OF THE WEEK:     THE WOMBATS "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)" Album: This Modern Glitch	2
39	24	Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know	12
40	44	Cee Lo Green - Fuck You (Forget You )	26
41	46	The Band Perry - You Lie	7
42	71	Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi-Two Against One	3
43	35	Jenny and Johnny - Big Wave	17
44	49	Michael Franti & Spearhead - I'll Be Waiting	5
45	72	Telekinesis - Please Ask for Help	3
46	36	Fitz and the Tantrums - Money Grabber	21
47	----	TOP DEBUT:   ADELE "Someone Like You" Album: 21	1
48	60	Chk Chik Chick - Wannagain Wannagain	5
49	61	Superhumanoids - Malta	5
50	----	Adele - Rumour Has It	1
51	33	The Black Keys - Howlin' For You	17
52	48	He Is We - Happily Ever After	6
53	52	Scars on 45 - Give Me Something	10
54	53	The Sounds - Something to Die For	5
55	38	Arcade Fire - City With No Children	9
56	75	Ben Harper - Rock n' Roll is Free	3
57	40	Goo Goo Dolls- Notbroken	19
58	31	Lady Gaga - Born This Way	10
59	37	James Blunt - Stay the Night	9
60	89	Brother - Darling Buds of May	2
61	47	Twin Tigers - Everyday	13
62	51	The Decemberists - Down By the Water	25
63	69	Richard Ashcroft - Are You Ready	6
64	70	My Chemical Romance - Bulletproof Heart	3
65	41	The Strokes - Undercover of Darkness	11
66	55	Twilight Singers - On the Corner	12
67	68	The Beets - Dead	4
68	59	Marianas Trench - Good To You	12
69	56	Lee DeWyze - Beautiful Like You	6
70	67	Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough	6
71	78	Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now	3
72	58	Plan B- Stay Too Long	17
73	80	Alexander - Truth	4
74	----	Bell X1 - Velcro	1
75	57	Deerhunter - Revival	17
76	63	Katy Perry - Firework	23
77	82	Katy Perry - E.T.	6
78	84	Redlight King - Old Man	2
79	74	Anberlin - Closer	7
80	91	Augustana - Steal Your Heart	2
81	96	Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise	2
82	-----	The Drums - The New World	1
83	54	Weezer - Hang On	11
84	76	Portugal the Man - People Say	21
85	83	The Kills - Satellite	6
86	86	Dinosaur Pile-Up - Mona Lisa	3
87	98	Manchester Orchestra - April Fool	2
88	----	Neon Trees - Your Surrender	1
89	65	Cake - Mustache Man (Wasted)	7
90	----	Cake - Long Time	1
91	77	Flogging Molly - Don't Shut 'Em Down	12
92	79	G. Love - Fixin' To Die	8
93	100	Taylor Swift - Mean	2
94	----	Incubus - Adolescents	1
95	93	One Republic - Good Life	4
96	88	Freelance Whales - Hannah	4
97	64	Michael Franti & Spearhead - Hey Hey Hey	20
98	66	Mike Posner - Bow Chicka Wow Wow	7
99	73	Deluka - OMFG	12
100	99	Biffy Clyro - Many of Horror	2

American Idol's Past and Present (Sound-raves week of 4/18/2011)

Judging from the status posts of my fellow Facebook friends just last week alone, there apparently is, ten seasons and counting, still an interest in the show American Idol.    We, for some reason await the fate of who stays and who gets eliminated each week.   We moan when it's somebody good (such as the recent unexpected departure of Pia Toscano), or when it's a singer that doesn't belong, it's more like "yeah, he needed to go".   

Since I'm a music fan, I thought I'd offer my take on the show, past and present.    I will start right off by saying that this is normally not my kind of music, being a fan of alternative rock, but can alwyas appreciate a good pop song now and then.    And as the original premise of the show was to find a true pop superstar (the "idol" of the title), I don't think I'd expect anything more than that.   Still, in an artist's career, once he reaches the top, most likely the rein will last just a few years before the inevitable backlash sets in.    Since the winner is determined by the public, they can't blame anyone but themselves if they actually "suck".

I was going through my "dissatisfied with music" phase around 2002 when Idol debuted that summer, and frankly, I didn't follow it thru the first few seasons of the show, but I will offer my insights on who I liked:   The season 1 winner was Kelly Clarkson, and she is still my favorite of all the winners.   In fact, her coronation song, "A Moment Like This", despite it being a ballad, made my year-end list that year (at #82), but more importantly it would be our wedding song and first dance five years later.    But Clarkson's songs have been uptempo as well, and when I resumed my year-end lists in 2009, she had three songs on it.     Kelly's fifth album, already recorded, is due later this year, and I'll be waiting for it.

Seasons two and three were a bit of a blur; it produced Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, Clay Aiken (runner-up to Studdard) and Jennifer Hudson (seventh in season 3) but nothing in those years tickled my fancy.
Probably the most successful Idol winner was season 4's Carrie Underwood.    Some pop, some country but a lot of respect...and prestigeous awards.    "Some Hearts" (a cover of a Marshall Crenshaw song), and "Before He Cheats" were my favorites off of her debut; "Undo It" from her most recent, got considerable airplay on my iPod just last year.    Runner-up Bo Bice was the first legitimate rocker on the show, but aside from "Inside Your Heaven", never really made continuous impact.

Which brings us to season 5, the first time I watched the show faithfully.     The winner was Taylor Hicks, but my favorites that season were Chris Daughtry (4th but deserved better) and Kellie Pickler (sixth).    Daughtry should have won but he didn't need to; his band which bears his surname has been very successful, and I've listened to many of his songs off his two albums.  Pickler, a country artist, has been a favorite as well, "Leave the Pieces" being my favorite from her, as well as "Best Days of Your Life" which was #63 on my 2009 year-end list.  Barb and I saw the "American Idols Live" show at the Meadowlands during the summer of 2006.

From season 6, I enjoyed the winner Jordin Sparks, but aside from Blake Lewis and Melinda Doolittle (second and third), there was nothing of note to keep me interested.  Ditto season 7, except for the battle of the Davids, Cook and Archuleta.    They were both good, but Cook won and except for a couple songs by each, came and went.

Season 8 was probably my favorite after the fifth season.   Kris Allen won (although frankly he was interchangable with the previous year's winner Cook)....Adam Lambert was a bit better, but my favorite that year was fourth-place Alison Iraheta.  17 at the time, she released an album, with the single "Friday I'll Be Over You" landing in my year-end top 10 in 2009.  Unfortunately, her album Just Like You didn't sell too well, and her raspy, Janis Joplin-like voice she displayed on Idol never really came into play.  Her record label dropped her after the debut's disappointing performance, but still hopes to be completing material for a second album.

Last season resulted in winner Lee DeWyze, making it three, rather interchangable male artists in a row.   I had rooted for runner-up Crystal Bowersox, but to no avail.   To his credit, DeWyze released a couple of decent singles, "Sweet Serendipity" (which got some iPod play and peaked at #77 on my list earlier this year) and his current "Beautiful Like You", my current #56 song (see below).

So, what about this season?    With Pia eliminated, it seems like the front runners are James Durban, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk and Casey Abrams.    It is a very talented season.   These four are pretty much off the beaten path, so hopefully we won't have another cookie-cutter winner like the last few.    I would also throw in Haley Reinhart.   Oh, and don't forget Scotty McCreery, who has chosen a country path.  No male winner (which means we exclude Daughtry) has been very successful, so I am pushing for Lauren or Haley, but can't complain if any of the others make it to the end.   My predictions (which can be subject to change, of course):  (1) Lauren, (2) James, (3) Jacob, (4) Scotty, (5) Casey, (6) Haley...although I hope she gets her act together and goes higher, and (7) Stefano (a very good singer, but we've heard it before). 

TOP 20:

The Foo Fighters finally knock Rachel Allyn out of the top spot, scoring with "Rope", the lead single from their first #1 (yes, you heard right) album, Wasting Light.  Dave Grohl, the drummer for grunge pioneers Nirvana had always wanted to keep this group "fun", and have been one of the more consistance bands out there for the last two decades.    Leila advances to #3 with "Hush Little Baby", joining fellow up-and-comer Rachel Allyn in the top echelon of the chart.

The big story within the top 20 is Florence + the Machine's "Dog Days are Over" which jumps to the #12 spot.   Having unexplicantly dismissed this last fall (despite liking the band's previous single, "Kiss With a Fist" which made my year end list for 2009), thanks to a post by a Facebook friend, I had a "what was I thinking moment", and readded this.   The song is still rising Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart after half a year, and is top 10 on the Triple-A list.   At least I didn't totally miss the boat.

Accolades continue for Adele.   Back to the top position on the Billboard Albums Chart with 21, she's in my top 10 for the 18th straight week, and she's top 10 in every viable chart (including the Hot 100), except for alternative where she's no slouch at #26.  

Here is my top 100 current songs for the week of April 18, 2011:

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	FOO FIGHTERS "Rope" Album:Wasting Light	7
2	1	Rachel Allyn - Gettin' By	14
3	4	Leila - Hush Little Baby	9
4	3	Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks	13
5	5	Peter Bjorn & John - Second Chance	11
6	6	Mt. Desolation - Bitter Pill	10
7	7	Adele - Rolling In the Deep	19
8	8	Kings of Leon - Pyro	12
9	10	Ra Ra Riot - Too Dramatic	11
10	9	Cold War Kids - Louder Than Ever	15
11	15	The Vaccines - Post Break-up Sex	6
12	27	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK FLORENCE + THE MACHINE "Dog Days Are Over" Album: Lungs	7
13	11	The Decemberists - This Is Why We Fight	12
14	14	Yuck - Get Away	9
15	17	The Holidays - Moonlight Hours	13
16	19	Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill	9
17	13	Colbie Cailat - I Do	10
18	21	Acrylics - Sparrow Song	8
19	26	Lucinda Williams - Buttercup	9
20	16	The Airborne Toxic Event - Changing	12

21	25	Tamar Kaprelian - New Day	7
22	18	Jack Johnson - From the Clouds	10
23	44	PRIME MOVER OF THE WEEK       THE RAVEONETTES "Recharge & Revolt" Album: Raven In the Grave	3
24	12	Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know	11
25	23	Downtown Crossing - Translation	12
26	33	The Cars - Sad Song	4
27	41	TV On the Radio - Will Do	5
28	30	Downtown Crossing - Seventy 4	9
29	32	Helvetia - Arise Pt 1	7
30	36	Dropkick Murphys - Memorial Day	8
31	34	Lady Gaga - Born This Way	9
32	38	Iron & Wine - Tree By the River	13
33	22	The Black Keys - Howlin' For You	16
34	31	Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues	11
35	24	Jenny and Johnny - Big Wave	16
36	28	Fitz and the Tantrums - Money Grabber	20
37	37	James Blunt - Stay the Night	8
38	39	Arcade Fire - City With No Children	8
39	42	Devotchka - 100 Other Lovers	6
40	29	Goo Goo Dolls- Notbroken	18
41	20	The Strokes - Undercover of Darkness	10
42	59	Rihanna - S&M	4
43	66	Dark Sacrament - Realm of Unlight	2
44	48	Cee Lo Green - Fuck You (Forget You )	25
45	55	Company of Thieves - Death of Communications	4
46	49	The Band Perry - You Lie	6
47	46	Twin Tigers - Everyday	12
48	60	He Is We - Happily Ever After	5
49	61	Michael Franti & Spearhead - I'll Be Waiting	4
50	69	Dom - Living In America	2
51	43	The Decemberists - Down By the Water	24
52	56	Scars on 45 - Give Me Something	9
53	63	The Sounds - Something to Die For	4
54	35	Weezer - Hang On	10
55	50	Twilight Singers - On the Cofrner	11
56	58	Lee DeWyze - Beautiful Like You	5
57	40	Deerhunter - Revival	16
58	45	Plan B- Stay Too Long	16
59	54	Marianas Trench - Good To You	11
60	76	Chk Chik Chick - Wannagain Wannagain	4
61	77	Superhumanoids - Malta	4
62	94	Death Cab for Cutie - You are A Tourist	2
63	53	Katy Perry - Firework	22
64	51	Michael Franti & Spearhead - Hey Hey Hey	19
65	47	Cake - Mustache Man (Wasted)	6
66	68	Mike Posner - Bow Chicka Wow Wow	6
67	74	Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough	5
68	79	The Beets - Dead	3
69	81	Richard Ashcroft - Are You Ready	5
70	82	My Chemical Romance - Bulletproof Heart	2
71	90	Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi-Two Against One	2
72	96	Telekinesis - Please Ask for Help	2
73	57	Deluka - OMFG	11
74	67	Anberlin - Closer	6
75	95	Ben Harper - Rock n' Roll is Free	2
76	52	Portugal the Man - People Say	20
77	62	Flogging Molly - Don't Shut 'Em Down	11
78	87	Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now	2
79	72	G. Love - Fixin' To Die	7
80	89	Alexander - Truth	3
81	----	TOP DEBUT:       THE WOMBATS "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves}" Album: This Modern Glitch	1
82	Re- Entry	Katy Perry - E.T.	5
83	84	The Kills - Satellite	5
84	----	Redlight King - Old Man	1
85	75	Lifehouse - Fallin' In	6
86	99	Dinosaur Pile-Up - Mona Lisa	2
87	65	Phoenix - Armistice	7
88	88	Freelance Whales - Hannah	3
89	----	Brother - Darling Buds of May	1
90	64	Bad Books - Please Move	18
91	----	Augustana - Steal Your Heart	1
92	86	Avi Buffalo - What's In It For	32
93	92	One Republic - Good Life	3
94	70	The Drums - Me & the Moon	11
95	93	Los Lonely Boys - Fly Away	4
96	----	Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise	1
97	80	Arcade Fire - We Used to Wait	17
98	----	Manchester Orchestra - April Fool	1
99	----	Biffy Clyro - Many of Horror	1
100	----	Taylor Swift - Mean	1