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