Thursday, October 27, 2011

Ridgewood-stock? (Music Review week of 10/24/2011)

A couple weeks ago, my wife, a fan of The Food Network, among other things, wanted me to drive her to Ridgewood NJ.   Seems that one of that cable channel's personalities, Paula Deen, was in town to sign copies of her latest book at the town's bookstore, Bookends.    Now I know authors do this all the time, but I wondered, Ridgewood?   A nice town, mind you, in the bosoms of suburbia, but it's not exactly the hot place to be.

But then, I remembered something.     A couple months ago, my friend Craig Young posted a video by a band called The Big Troubles, "Bite Yr Tongue".    I loved it, and it has been ensconced in my top 10 for several weeks now, and the follow up "She Smiles for Pictures" is this week's third highest debut, coming in at #85.   Fine and good.    But then last week, I came across a band that was getting airplay on radio station WFUV's The Alternative Side, called Real Estate.    The song, "It's Real", entered last week at #88 and is the Mover of the Week at #50 this go-round, was by another band from, you guessed it, Ridgewood.    So I wondered, could this Bergen County town be the next San Francisco, Seattle, or even Brooklyn?

I tried finding a website that may clue me in...On the NPR site http://www.npr.org/ , an article written by Sami Yenigun dated last August (coincidentally, when I started blogging), explored why music scenes grow where they do.    The article lists, aside from Real Estate, acts such as Family Portrait, Senses Fail, and Vivian Girls, and they interview Real Estate's Alex Bleeker.     The jist of the article indicates that despite the towns image as an upscale-class suburban town, the school system had a great music program.    It seems that their high school hosted some kind of open-mic nights, which gave the towns aspiring musicians a shot to show and develop their musical abilities and identities.

Immediately, it reminded me of my own town, Roselle Park, and how we had battle of the bands and things quite similar.    I wrote a blog entry back in August talking about our music, which, even though you don't hear on the radio, was a big part of growing up.     And I wish those living in Ridgewood the same.

The full article can be accessed here:   http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/08/12/129162870/ridgewood-n-j-why-here-why-now


THIS WEEK:  We have a new number 1 song on SnS,  LA based indie band Dum Dum Girls reach the zenith with "Coming Down", in its fifth week on the list, probably not surprising given its historic jump a couple weeks back.    Several of my friends love this slow, haunting song, which really does grab hold of you.    It sounds like a possible lengthy run, but there are several other strong songs making a statement that may curtail that reign on top.     Making bids for the top spot are Death Cab for Cutie's beautiful "Stay Young, Go Dancing" (#2),  Omnia's "What's Become of Us" (#6), Sarah Jean's "Hometown"(#10) and Mayer Hawthorne's soulful "The Walk", the Impact song this week jumping to #11 in its third week.    These songs, particularly the last three are making big impressions.    The acoustic-ness of the Omnia and Sarah Jean entries are very gratifying; one doesn't need decibels to make it these days.     Should be an interesting watch in the weeks to come.

MOVIN' ON UP:  Big movers this week include Ellie Goulding's "Lights".   A British singer, the song is from her 2010 album Lights/Bright Lights.  A catchy mix of mainstream and indie-pop sensibilities, this is becoming her breakthrough song (after several single attempts).   She has been compared to the likes of Lykke Li and Bjork, among others...not a bad group to be in!   And she will have even more exposure in the coming months, when she'll open for Katy Perry, and that will include November 16 at Madison Square Garden.     

Two Door Cinema Club, which has made the SnS top 10 twice thus far, had put out its third single from Tourist History, released in 2010, "Undercover Martyn" is a more dancier kind of sound than displayed on the previous two songs.      It debuts at #79 as the Top Debut/Pick of the Week.    Another band to watch is Phantogram, debuting at #92 with 'Don't Move".     The duo, formed in 2007, hail from Saratoga Springs, NY.   This is a unique blend on synth-pop, with syncopated rhythms and horns thrown in for good measure.   They describe it as "street beats and psychedelic pop".   Their EP, Nightlife, will be released on November 1.    They have toured in the past with the following bands who have made my SnS chart:  The Antlers, Beach House, Metric, and Ra Ra Riot....a pretty good group right there.   No New York dates as of yet, the closest they will be is at Royale Boston November 19.  A good future for this outfit.

Finally, on the pop side, there's the aforementioned Katy Perry's sixth single from Teenage Dream, "The One That Got Away".    As you know, the first five all hit number one, the first female artist to do that from one album.     Those songs had a wide range of styles.   Two of them, "Firework" and "Last Friday Night" hit my top 3, but the others didn't perform as well.    This one is more down the center of the pop aisle.   It is what it is.    It's a notch or two behind the two faves I mentioned but well ahead of the others.   I don't think it'll hit the top of the national charts, though.

Scenes n' Soundwaves for the Week of October 24, 2011:


This Week
Last Week
ARTIST-Title
Weeks on List
1
3
 
DUM DUM GIRLS
"Coming Down"
Album: Only In Dreams
5
2
4
Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young Go Dancing
12
3
2
Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - I Swear
10
4
1
Florence + the Machine - What the Water Gave Me
10
5
5
Rachel Allyn - Lovely Lily
10
6
11
Omnia - What's Become of Us?
5
7
8
Anna Calvi - Blackout
11
8
7
The Big Troubles - Bite Yr Tongue
11
9
6
The Kooks - Junk of the Heart
16
10
17
Sarah Jean - Hometown
6
11
21
IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
 
MAYER HAWTHORNE
"The Walk"
Album: How Do You Do?
3
12
9
Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces
13
13
10
Bush - The Sound of Winter
12
14
15
Best Coast - Our Deal
7
15
12
Wilco - I Might
14
16
16
Cage the Elephant - Aberdeen
9
17
14
Thom Sebastian & the Hounds of Winter - Not Broken
9
18
19
Stephen Malkus and the Jicks - Tigers
6
19
13
Michelle Branch - Loud Music
16
20
22
Surfer Blood- Swim
12




21
25
Oberhofer - Gotta Go
9
22
18
Plan B- Love Goes Down
18
23
28
Adele - I'll Be Waiting
7
24
24
Dom - Happy Birthday Party
7
25
23
Mister Heavenly - Mister Heavenly
11
26
20
Imelda May - Mayhem
9
27
34
Coldplay - Paradise
7
28
40
Paul Czekaj - My Home New Jersey
6
29
52
Ellie Goulding - Lights
4
30
26
Best Coast - Something In The Way
19
31
35
Snow Patrol - Called Out In the Dark
7
32
36
Little Dragon - Shuffle a Dream
9
33
59
Florence + the Machine - Shake It Out
2
34
27
SuperHeavy - Miracle Worker
14
35
33
Carolina Liar - Drown
8
36
44
Omnia - Grace
5
37
38
Needtobreathe - Drive All Night
8
38
75
The Vaccines - Wetsuit
2
39
29
Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
15
40
30
Cults - Go Outside
10
41
32
Man Man - Knuckle Down
8
42
37
Lady Gaga - You and I
9
43
39
Bell X1 - 4 Minute Mile
8
44
53
Duran Duran - Leave A Light On
4
45
63
Sara Bareilles - Gonna Get Over You
3
46
47
Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed
7
47
49
Scars on 45 - Heart on Fire
6
48
41
The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted
12
49
31
Macy Gray - Kissed It
11
50
88
MOVER OF THE WEEK:
 
REAL ESTATE
"It's Real"
Album: Days
2
51
69
Sleeper Agent- That's My Baby
3
52
50
Kate Voegele - Sandcastles
8
53
42
Avi Buffalo - How Come
18
54
51
Grouplove - Colours
14
55
56
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman - It Begins Tonight
7
56
67
Daughtry - Crawling Back to You
4
57
68
Foo Fighters - These Days
3
58
70
Beirut - Santa Fe
5
59
43
The Jayhawks - She Walks In So Many Ways
13
60
55
Gillian Welch - The Way It Goes
9
61
58
Rachel Platten - 1,000 Ships
5
62
83
Zac Brown Band - Keep Me In Mind
2
63
74
St. Vincent - Cruel
5
64
81
Fruit Bats - Tangle and Ray
4
65
62
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
40
66
45
The Drums - Money
10
67
85
Blitzen Trapper - Love the Way You Walk Away
5
68
46
Trevor Hall - Brand New Day
14
69
66
Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
8
70
57
Adele - Someone Like You
27
71
79
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul
5
72
87
Dawes - Time Spent in Los Angeles
4
73
48
Lykke Li - Rich Kids Blues
14
74
54
Thompson Square - I Got You
9
75
61
Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean
24
76
73
Incubus - Promises, Promises
15
77
60
Fitz and the Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work It Out
14
78
86
We Are Augustines - Book of James
3
79
----
TOP DEBUT:
 
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
"Undercover Martyn"
Album: Tourist History
1
80
64
The Antlers - Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out
13
81
78
Rachel Allyn - Say Hello To Goodbye
22
82
80
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
15
83
76
Los Lonely Boys - 16 Monkeys
15
84
72
Adele - Set Fire To the Rain
17
85
----
The Big Troubles - She Smiles for Pictures
1
86
90
Kasabian - Days Are Forgotten
2
87
96
WU LYF - Spitting Blood
2
88
65
Mutemath - Blood Pressure
12
89
77
Brilliant Colors - Value Lines
16
90
82
Foster the People - Helena Beat
16
91
91
Funeral Party - NYC Moves to the Sound of LA
3
92
----
Phantogram - Don't Move
1
93
71
Maroon 5 f. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger
15
94
99
Nickelback- Bottoms Up
2
95
----
Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
1
96
84
Sublime with Rome - Take It Or Leave It
7
97
----
The Fray - Heartbeat
1
98
----
Martin Solvag & Dragonette - Hello
1
99
----
Blink-182 - Up All Night
1
100
----
Simple Plan f. Natasha Bedingfield - Jet Lag
1


TREMORS:

101. Ryan Adams, Lucky Now
102. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Manic
103. Awolnation, Not Your Fault
104. Teddybears, Rocket Scientist
105. Redlight King, Bullet In My Hand

Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Facebook Seven (Music Review week of 10/17/2011)

You've probably heard of the Chicago Seven, and the Magnificent Seven.  But...have you heard of the "Facebook Seven"?   No?

Yes, the Facebook Seven...the theme this week on my music blog are songs, mainly those in my latest Top 20, that were recommended by friends.    I've mentioned in the past that there are several sources for my new music exposure as an alternative to "dirty radio" (thank you Sallie Ford):  Alternative station playlists, RCRD LBL.com, Billboard charts, and posts by artists that I have "liked" on Facebook.    But there is another source, which always has been apparent, but now even more noticeable:    Recommendation from my friends on new stuff that has been recently released.  A couple of them are actually featured on their recording.

At least half of my Top 20 are songs that have come on recommendations via friends song posts.  So, without further adieu, I present....The "Facebook Seven", ranking in order of the songs (or bands) they recommended.


1. Dana V:   She is the sixteen-year-old daughter of my friend Nancy, who, aside from singing "California Dreaming" with her friend Donna, is a hugh fan of country music (couldn't seem get her interested in Rachel Allyn though!).     It was pretty much assumed that her daughter would be into Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Pitball, Britney and that ilk.   That is, until May, when she posted her status about how she liked Florence + the Machine.   I did a double take on that one.     But she does.     It's not that I didn't like them before, it's just that I took a second look.    As a result, she's had three top 5's on my chart, including the current #1 "What the Water Gave Me", my number 1 for a third week.     Florence also has the Top Debut with the next single "Shake It Out" at #59; both of these to appear on her new Ceremonials album, due November 1.

2. Brian Sniatkowski.   OK, you've seen his name all over the place, usually with the words "Song of the Week" after it.    Former co-worker (for two different companies), ski house compatriot, bowling teammate, outdoor (geocaching, backpacking,etc) enthusiant...but first and foremost, music expert.     Frankly, I don't know where he gets all the time between doing all those activites and listening to any musically nook and cranny, from the punk scene in the seventies all the way to today.    He has at least three in there this week:  The #2 song this week, "I Swear" (Sallie Ford), the #3 Dum Dum Girls "Coming Down", and #19 Steven Malkus "Tigers" were found all courtesy of Brian.    

3. Rachel Allyn.   Well, you know the deal here.  Not only is she a Facebook friend, but she performs.  Admirably.    Her latest, "Lovely Lily" inches to #5, becoming her fourth consecutive "hit" here on Scenes n' Soundwaves.   


4. Craig Young.    A friend of Brian Sniatkowski, which might explain a lot.  He too, comes up with music from all over the place, even around the world.    This one, The Big Troubles' are from the much closer Ridgewood, NJ.   Craig posted their video for "Bite Yr Tongue" back in August.  That's when I added it, and it currently stands at #7.  They played in Brooklyn last month, and I believe Craig went there.   By the way, the Troubles new single is, "She Smiles For Pictures", which no doubt I'll add next week.  The band's album is Romantic Comedy.   If you're heading down to Philly, check out Johnny Brenda's on November 21, where they'll be playing.

5. John A. Placintini.    John, like myself, is from Roselle Park and graduated two years after me.   Two months ago we friended on Facebook, and is also a new (and old) music aficionado.  Right away, he posted a song called "Blackout" by newcomer Anna Calvi on my wall.   Needless to say, I took to it right away, the song currently rests at #8.   The song is from the British artist's debut eponymous album.   She's touring in Europe right now, but will be in Brooklyn (Williamsburg Music Hall), December 13.

6.  Diane Tarantino Hegazy.   Another one of my closest Facebook friends, she also graduated from Roselle Park High School the same year as me.    If you've been religiously reading my blog, you will know that she is the aunt of TWO talented young ladies:   Leila and Omnia, twins, but with distinctive styles.   The former hit the top last spring with "Hush Little Baby", and now it's Omnia's turn.     Her "Jailbird" EP has been out a few weeks, and the track "What's Become of Us" is a big mover to #11 this week.    "Grace" is also on my currents list.    You will usually find her playing at New York City's The Bitter End.   She will be on the radio tomorrow, at Hunter College's radio station.  For more details, check out her website:  http://www.omniamusic.com/.  It talks about two of the EP's singles being played.  I'm not sure if they're the same two I am playing, but should be a great listen away.

7. Tom Corea.    Last, but definitely not least.   Another from Roselle Park, he has taken the bull by the horns and has been involved in a band for 25 years, as well as owning the Babyfishmouth Studio in his East Hanover home(see my blog from August 22 for more information).     He produced and played on TWO tracks on the list: Thom Sebastian's "Not Broken" (#14) and Sarah Jean's "Hometown", the top 20 Impact at #17.

So, there you have it...The Facebook Seven.    The artists are hardly new to me, but if you haven't checked them out up until now, now is a good time.

NEW STUFF:   I talked last week about Mayer Hawthorne's, soul-influenced "The Walk", jumping up to #21.  No other huge movers this week, so it's on to the new stuff.   I already mentioned Florence + the Machine's debut.   That is followed by The Vaccines' "Wet Suit", the follow-up to the top 10 "Post Breakup Sex".   Also from What Did You Expect From the Vaccines.  A slightly different direction from the prior song...I can sense a little Springsteen as well as some folk elements in this mid tempo song.     Worth checking out.      Zac Brown Band, who keeps pumping out some great stuff, has their fourth single "Keep Me In Mind" from their sophomore set You Get What You Give.   They are going for their seventh consecutive #1 on the country chart, and this one has a chance at a good standing here on SnS.  It's at #83.  Again, the band sings of Americana, this one is a bit like Los Lonely Boys at their prime, with a more serious bridge containing strings.  

Two bands that are new to SnS debut, including Real Estate's, "It's Real".    Could Ridgewood, NJ be the next hot spot?   First The Big Troubles, and now this four piece indie-psychedelic band.   The song is from their second album Days, release this week, and recorded in New Paltz, NY.  There will be a tour shortly (a release party was planned for New York City).    Kasabian , on the other side of the pond, released their fourth set, Velociraptor! last month.   The indie band has had success on the Alternative chart with their 2004 debut, but since has been confined to Europe since, so as you'd expect, they are touring over there right now.  

ROLLING OFF THE CHART:   Think back to November 29, 2010.    Much has changed since then; even the Dolphins won a football game a week and a half after that (the only time they've done that!).  But, that was the last time, the Scenes n' Soundwaves 100 did not include Adele's "Rolling In the Deep".    After 44 weeks, the massive hit finally falls off the chart.  This week is the first that the entire 100 positions feature songs added in 2011.    I would like to say that 44 weeks will be a record that will stand for quite awhile, but it could be broken in six weeks as Foster The People's "Pumped Up Kicks" holds at #62 in its 39th week.   As it maintains its #3 Hot 100 position (and the band is getting recognition, they played the "Ellen" show this week), and my wife is very much liking it, the song isn't going away anytime soon.   "Kicks" debuted back on January 24, at #75, it was the third highest debut that week, behind Guster's "Architects and Engineers" and Iron and Wine's "Tree By the River", it ascended to #1 on the first day of spring this year (March 21), and dropped out of the Top 20 on May 23.  Since then, its rise on the pop chart has resulted in a very slow decent here.    For the last two months it's been stagnant in the 50's and 60's.    Will "Kicks" hit #1 on the Hot 100?   Will it break Adele's weeks record here?  Stay tuned!

Scenes n' Soundwaves 100 for Week of October 17, 2011:


This Week
Last Week
ARTIST-Title
Weeks on List
1
1
 
 
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
"What the Water Gave Me"
Album: Ceremonials
(3 weeks at #1)
9
2
2
Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - I Swear
9
3
5
Dum Dum Girls - Coming Down
4
4
4
Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young Go Dancing
11
5
6
Rachel Allyn - Lovely Lily
9
6
3
The Kooks - Junk of the Heart
15
7
8
The Big Troubles - Bite Yr Tongue
10
8
9
Anna Calvi - Blackout
10
9
7
Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces
12
10
12
Bush - The Sound of Winter
11
11
19
Omnia - What's Become of Us?
4
12
11
Wilco - I Might
13
13
10
Michelle Branch - Loud Music
15
14
14
Thom Sebastian & the Hounds of Winter - Not Broken
8
15
16
Best Coast - Our Deal
6
16
15
Cage the Elephant - Aberdeen
8
17
27
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
 
SARAH JEAN
"Hometown"
Album: Girl Will Run
5
18
13
Plan B- Love Goes Down
17
19
33
Stephen Malkus and the Jicks - Tigers
5
20
17
Imelda May - Mayhem
8



21
70
MOVER OF THE WEEK:
 
MAYER HAWTHORNE
"The Walk"
Album: How Do You Do?
2
22
23
Surfer Blood- Swim
11
23
22
Mister Heavenly - Mister Heavenly
10
24
25
Dom - Happy Birthday Party
6
25
24
Oberhofer - Gotta Go
8
26
20
Best Coast - Something In The Way
18
27
18
SuperHeavy - Miracle Worker
13
28
31
Adele - I'll Be Waiting
6
29
21
Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
14
30
28
Cults - Go Outside
9
31
26
Macy Gray - Kissed It
10
32
37
Man Man - Knuckle Down
7
33
38
Carolina Liar - Drown
7
34
40
Coldplay - Paradise
6
35
41
Snow Patrol - Called Out In the Dark
6
36
46
Little Dragon - Shuffle a Dream
8
37
39
Lady Gaga - You and I
8
38
45
Needtobreathe - Drive All Night
7
39
47
Bell X1 - 4 Minute Mile
7
40
64
Paul Czekaj - My Home New Jersey
5
41
30
The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted
11
42
29
Avi Buffalo - How Come
17
43
32
The Jayhawks - She Walks In So Many Ways
12
44
54
Omnia - Grace
4
45
36
The Drums - Money
9
46
34
Trevor Hall - Brand New Day
13
47
53
Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed
6
48
35
Lykke Li - Rich Kids Blues
13
49
57
Scars on 45 - Heart on Fire
5
50
56
Kate Voegele - Sandcastles
7
51
44
Grouplove - Colours
13
52
76
Ellie Goulding - Lights
3
53
75
Duran Duran - Leave A Light On
3
54
49
Thompson Square - I Got You
8
55
65
Gillian Welch - The Way It Goes
8
56
63
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman - It Begins Tonight
6
57
48
Adele - Someone Like You
26
58
66
Rachel Platten - 1,000 Ships
4
59
----
TOP DEBUT:
 
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
"Shake It Out"
Album: Ceremonials
1
60
43
Fitz and the Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work It Out
13
61
52
Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean
23
62
62
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
39
63
86
Sara Bareilles - Gonna Get Over You
2
64
50
The Antlers - Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out
12
65
60
Mutemath - Blood Pressure
11
66
69
Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All
7
67
77
Daughtry - Crawling Back to You
3
68
83
Foo Fighters - These Days
2
69
85
Sleeper Agent- That's My Baby
2
70
73
Beirut - Santa Fe
4
71
42
Maroon 5 f. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger
14
72
58
Adele - Set Fire To the Rain
16
73
67
Incubus - Promises, Promises
14
74
71
St. Vincent - Cruel
4
75
----
The Vaccines - Wetsuit
1
76
51
Los Lonely Boys - 16 Monkeys
14
77
55
Brilliant Colors - Value Lines
15
78
59
Rachel Allyn - Say Hello To Goodbye
21
79
72
Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse - Body and Soul
4
80
61
PJ Harvey - Let England Shake
14
81
79
Fruit Bats - Tangle and Ray
3
82
68
Foster the People - Helena Beat
15
83
----
Zac Brown Band - Keep Me In Mind
1
84
78
Sublime with Rome - Take It Or Leave It
6
85
89
Blitzen Trapper - Love the Way You Walk Away
4
86
91
We Are Augustines - Book of James
2
87
90
Dawes - Time Spent in Los Angeles
3
88
----
Real Estate - It's Real
1
89
74
White Denim - Drug
8
90
----
Kasabian - Days Are Forgotten
1
91
99
Funeral Party - NYC Moves to the Sound of LA
2
92
84
Parachute - Kiss Me Slowly
4
93
94
Foo Fighters - Walk
19
94
80
Evanescence - What You Want
9
95
88
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - If I Had a Gun
4
96
----
WU LYF - Spitting Blood
1
97
81
The Rosebuds - Second Bird of Paradise
11
98
87
Florence + the Machine - You Got the Love
23
99
----
Nickelback- Bottoms Up
1
100
82
O.A.R.- Heaven
12


Tremors:

101. Blink-182, Up All Night
102. Teddybears, Rocket Scientist
103. Ryan Adams, Lucky Now
104. Clap Your Hand Say Yeah, Maniac