Music Review - Week of 8/29/2011

First up, I hope all of you have survived the wrath of Hurricane Irene.  Several days later, many people are still experiencing power outages, and many homes are still flooded, and that goes for the entire eastern seaboard from North Carolina up to Vermont.  

NEW THIS WEEK:   My Pick of the Week is the 3rd single from Cage The Elephant's latest set Thank You, Happy Birthday, "Aberdeen", coming in at #60.  The first two singles hit the top 10: "Shake Me Down" and "Around My Head" both hit #6.  The former was at #1 Billboard alt-rock hit, but the latter stalled at #15.    As with those previous singles, the band seems to have shifted to a more emo feel, although with this new single there seems to be a lot going on here.    The song seems to be all over the place, even more than the previous single, but still has that infectious quality that could take the British band to my top 20 for a third straight time.   

Also new this week is "Not Broken" by Thom Sebastian & the Hounds of Winter.    Sebastian hails from Danbury CT, and has been around since the early 1980's.    Playing drums is Tom Corea, who I profiled a couple weeks back in a segment about musicians from my hometown of Roselle Park.    Sebastian has been in and out of various bands over the last three decades, but you can tell his music is influenced by early 80's new wavers like Elvis Costello.    

Also entering this week is the fourth single from Lady Gaga, "You and I", as the diva tries to diversity her sound, this one is slightly slower this time out.    It's from her album Born This Way, if it follows the pattern of her previous singles, it should do well....her previous efforts, the title track, "Judas" and  "The Edge of Glory", went to #31, 19, and 15......I've also added the Thompson Square "I Got You".   The track is the third single from the debut released last year, which also includes a #1 country hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not".    They played Six Flags Great Adventure last Tuesday (8/23), with Rachel Allyn opening for them.


CHART ACTION:   Wilco makes it three weeks at #1 as the infectious "I Might" holds off a charge from Fitz & the Tantrums' "Pickin' Up the Pieces.   Once again, the top 10 is every strong, with Red Hot Chili Pepper's addictive "The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie" jumping to #3, and The Kooks "Junk of the Heart" moving from 11 to 5.  

Unlike last week, there are four new entries in the Top 20.    Michelle Branch tops that list, with the Impact award for "Loud Music" coming in at #17...it's the first single in years from the songstress who debuted in 2001 with "Everywhere" at the age of 18.   At the time she was lumped in with other young female singers like Avril Lavagne and Christina Aguilera, and showed promise.   Her duet with Santana "The Game of Love", was my #1 song of 2002.    She then had success with her next album "Hotel Paper", but then formed The Wreckers, a country duo with Jessica Harp, which had success on the country charts, but garnered an unaccountable backlash from the general public.    So this is a comeback single for her, and it took a while for me to get used to it, but I definitely have now.  The Antlers and Jayhawks also enter, and there's of course, Rachel Allyn, who for the third time, has entered the top 20 in just the second week with her latest "Lovely Lily".     With Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" apparently peaking at #9, breaking her string of #1's, Rachel is poised to make it a record 4-for-4 at the top.   The competition, though, is real tough right now unlike earlier this year, can she do it?     Rachel is set to play "Ladies Night" at the venerable Stanhope House in early October.

Scenes & Soundwaves 100 for week of 8/29/2011:

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	1	WILCO "I Might" Album: The Whole Love (3 weeks at #1)	6
2	2	Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces	5
3	4	Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie	7
4	3	Plan B- Love Goes Down	10
5	12	The Kooks - Junk of the Heart	8
6	8	Best Coast - Something In The Way	11
7	10	Lykke Li - Rich Kids Blues	6
8	7	Avi Buffalo - How Come	10
9	9	Brilliant Colors - How Much Younger	8
10	11	Los Lonely Boys - 16 Monkeys	7
11	6	Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean	16
12	14	Fitz and the Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work It Out	6
13	5	Katy Perry - Last Friday Night	12
14	13	Rachel Allyn - Say Hello To Goodbye	14
15	16	Maroon 5 f. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger	7
16	15	Adele - Set Fire To the Rain	9
17	25	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:   MICHELLE BRANCH "Loud Music" Album: West Coast Time	8
18	23	The Antlers - Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out	5
19	54	MOVER OF THE WEEK:   RACHEL ALLYN "Lovely Lily" (Single Only)	2
20	24	The Jayhawks - She Walks In So Many Ways	5

21	22	SuperHeavy - Miracle Worker	6
22	21	Wild Flag - Romance	10
23	28	Bush - The Sound of Winter	4
24	17	Florence + the Machine - You Got the Love	16
25	18	Foster the People - Helena Beat	8
26	20	We Are Augustines - Chapel Song	11
27	47	Anna Calvi - Blackout	3
28	26	Zac Brown Band f Jimmy Buffet - Knee Deep	17
29	49	Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young Go Dancing	4
30	31	PJ Harvey - Let England Shake	7
31	68	Florence + the Machine - What the Water Gave Me	2
32	19	Fitz and the Tantrums - Dear Mr. President	12
33	62	The Big Troubles - Bite Yr Tongue	3
34	58	The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted	4
35	40	Trevor Hall - Brand New Day	6
36	33	Scotty McCreery - I Love You This Big	14
37	27	Cee Lo Green - Bright Lights, Bigger City	9
38	39	Lenny Kravitz - Stand	8
39	36	Yacht - Dystopia	10
40	30	Adele - Rolling In the Deep	38
41	29	Portugal the Man - Got It All	12
42	38	Kenny Chesney f. Grace Potter - You & Tequila	13
43	34	Generationals - Ten Twenty Ten	9
44	52	Jason Aldean - Dirt Road Anthem	5
45	42	Adele - Rumour Has It	19
46	72	Macy Gray - Kissed It	3
47	37	My Morning Jacket - Holdin' On to Black Metal	15
48	46	Gomez - Options	14
49	63	Incubus - Promises, Promises	7
50	66	Haley Reinhart - House of the Rising Sun	3
51	53	Holy Ghost! - Do It Again	5
52	32	The Black Keys - Everlasting Light	12
53	69	Grouplove - Colours	6
54	35	Arcade Fire - Month of May	16
55	41	Train - Save Me San Francisco	17
56	43	Foo Fighters - Walk	12
57	60	Adele - Someone Like You	19
58	65	The Band Perry - If I Die Young	9
59	74	The Rosebuds - Second Bird of Paradise	4
60	----	TOP DEBUT:   CAGE THE ELEPHANT "Aberdeen" Album: Thank You, Happy Birthday	1
61	45	Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory	12
62	59	The Lonely Forest - We Sing In Time	11
63	64	Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks	32
64	87	Evanescence - What You Want	2
65	50	Neon Trees - Your Surrender	19
66	56	Beastie Boys - Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win	8
67	89	Mister Heavenly - Mister Heavenly	3
68	51	KT Tunstall - Glamour Puss	10
69	55	Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi-Two Against One	21
70	44	Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall	13
71	57	Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down 'Cause I Moved Your Chair	14
72	67	Goo Goo Dolls - All That You Are	8
73	76	Mutemath - Blood Pressure	4
74	98	Cults - Go Outside	2
75	48	Sleeper Agent - Get It Daddy	10
76	80	Surfer Blood- Swim	4
77	88	The Drums - Money	2
78	95	Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - I Swear	2
79	73	Colbie Calliat - Brighter Than the Sun	8
80	81	Lady Antebellum - Just A Kiss	3
81	61	The Strokes - Taken For A Fool	16
82	82	O.A.R.- Heaven	5
83	----	Thom Sebastian & the Hounds of Winter - Not Broken	1
84	78	Young the Giant - Cough Syrup	9
85	83	Alter Bridge - Ghost of Days Gone By	4
86	77	Ray Lamontagne & the Pariah Dogs - Repo Man	15
87	91	Lauren Alaina - Like My Mother Does	2
88	70	Kate Voegele - Heart In Chains	16
89	86	The Mountain Goats - Estate Sale Sign	4
90	----	Oberhofer - Gotta Go	1
91	----	Little Dragon - Shuffle a Dream	1
92	71	Lykke Li - Get Some	16
93	79	The Decemberists - Calamity Song	6
94	----	Lady Gaga - You and I	1
95	----	Imdela May - Mayhem	1
96	----	Thompson Square - I Got You	1
97	75	Brett Dennon - Comeback Kid	12
98	94	Jane's Addiction - Irresistable Force	3
99	----	White Denim - Drug	1
100	----	Gillian Welch - The Way It Goes	1

The New Music Initiative: One Year Later (SoundRaves Week of 8/22/2011)

I don't know if it was just a matter of time flying, but here we are in the fourth week of August, nearing the end of yet another summer.  And exactly a year ago this week, after contemplating it for quite awhile, I initiated something I called the "New Music Initiative".     I had always been a music fan, but quite frankly, saw the pop scene in the 2000's deteriorate to the point that I just looked the other way.    I had made a CD with the current songs each month (as I had done dating back to cassette tapes as far back as 1971), much of it Alternative Rock, and the occasionally great pop song like "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree", to give just one example.   My wife knows my interest in music, and she'd asked me "who does this", when a song is played, be it at a pub, or during a TV commercial.

From the 1960's until roughly 1998, I could recognize a tune, identify the artist, and even tell what year it came from.    But after that, I was perplexed.    Songs used to remind me of events of the day, vacations I've taken, and places I've went.   Come 2005 they still did, except they were the same songs from decades prior.    There was absolutely no way I could relate a current song to an event I was participating in.    Much of the reason, I deduced, was that I listened the radio a whole lot during the time span I mentioned, and was disenchanted with since so I stopped listening.    After that, it was a matter to looking at the industry charts (Billboard or Radio and Records), for example, then hearing a download of the song, and deciding whether to buy it or pass on it.   Except for oldies and classic rock stations, I don't think I tuned into any new Alternative rock stations (not that there were any around here anyway), except down the shore (G-Rock) or in ski country (WEQX).  I was basically my own DJ.    Thus the songs out around that time never were etched in my mind like they used to back in the days where transistor radios on the beach were tuned in to that latest "superhit" song on WABC.

I started listening to my CDs of the previous few months and realized there are some great songs.   What if I created my own chart based on my preferences, create a corresponding playlist on my iPOD, and since I have a captive audience on Facebook, publish a note so friends could see it?    And each week, I'd add or drop several songs in my portible radio station.  Thus my SoundRaves idea was born.

It was the week of August 23, 2010 that I published my first top 20.    I had a master list of current songs that went into the 30's, but the 20 songs were the 'official' ones on my playlist.    The first number 1 (which would hang on for three more weeks) was "Tighten Up" by Akron-based The Black Keys.  The first top 20 was an eclectic mix of Alternative rock (Stone Temple Pilots, Hockey, Locksley), the current pop (Lady Gaga, LaRoux, V V Brown), singer-songwriters (Neko Case, Sheryl Crow) and even a new song by a classic rock artists (Bachman & Turner).  Also on the list, at #5 was by a local artist whom we had the pleasure of meeting (and her parents as well), Rachel Allyn.   

I made sure I updated the list week after week.  Soon I realized that there were too many songs to just contain in a top 20, so I expanded it to 100 positions soon enough.   I now had two iPOD playlists, one for the current top 20, another for the current top 100 (enabling the top songs to be heard more often...just like in the golden days of AM top 40 radio!).     I published my surveys, as well as info on new music as a Facebook note every week, and at the end of the year, of course, my year end top 100 which was much easier to compile.     At the advise of a friend, I moved this to a blog, as it gave me a better opportunity to explore my thoughts on what was out there, along with an easier way to transport my chart, grid and all, which I couldn't have done on Facebook.

During my experiences, I discovered a lot of artists which I could never have done otherwise.  Instead of names, they became experience.    Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros come immediately to mind, ditto Florence and the Machine.    Obscure bands like the 22-20's and Delta Spirit, band that have been out there for years, but now able to explore closer (Guster, Wilco, The Decemberists).     Indie bands recommended by friends (Avi Buffalo, The Drums and many others); and I also predicted songs that became huge hits months after ("Rolling in the Deep", "Pumped Up Kicks").

As for records?    The most weeks at #1 was 5, set by "What's In It For?", a song recommended by Brian Sniatkowski, who runs his "Song of the Week" once or twice per seven days, he is a primary source of ideas of which stuff to add.     The Avi Buffalo song debuted on my chart at #21 which is also a record.    It lasted for 32 weeks, a record which was just broken by Adele's "Rolling...", which is now in week 37.   Arcade Fire holds the records for most songs to hit my chart, 5, all from their Grammy-winning album "The Suburbs".      Adele and Rachel Allyn both have had three #1 songs, with Plan B right behind with two.  

I have tried to give exposure to new up-and-coming artists.    Aside from Rachel, two twins, Omnia and Leila have been given a look.    The latter's "Hush Little Baby" was my #1 for a week; while the former is expected to release her debut EP next month.    My nephew's band, the Massachusetts-based Downtown Crossing, the local metal band Dark Sacrament (featuring two co-workers) have also hit the upper regions of my chart.   

These song and others have been with me through our fall road trip to Ohio, a couple of ski weekends, and most recently Lake George on July 4th weekend.     And certain songs will now be identified with those events.    And upon creating my blog in April, I've shared various thoughts. 

So, what's the future like?    Well, as much as I like to keep it going, I'm going to have to cut back.   What was once a couple of hours, now takes two days to do.    Effective next week, I will cut down on the first portion of my weekly blog.   It is taking up too much time, time which should be devoted elsewhere,  and not enough people are viewing it to justify it.   During the first month, there were routinely over 100 views; last week netted only 10.   And, with a few exceptions, no comments on the music.   If there is something of a musical realm to share, such as a concert, I will cover it.   My top 100 will continue each week until at the end of the year (at least), with comments on new and coming songs and artists.

SOUNDRAVES 100:   Wilco stays at the top for a second week with "I Might", but mounting a challenge is "Picking Up the Pieces" by Fitz and the Tantrums.     For the first time, there are no new entries in the Top 20; hence the impact award goes to the biggest mover within that top echelon, that that is The Kooks' "Junk of the Heart" (17-12).    These twenty songs are the strongest and most likeable I've seen all year.

Two debuts of note, both from established artists on my chart.   Rachel Allyn is back yet again, with her new single "Lovely Lily".   This one, written by her, is a mid tempo ballad inspired no doubt by a character from the previous Harry Potter movie.     She sings with some soul, but all within her country background.    She performed at Six Flags this week as the winner of Thunder 106's "House Band" contest, she opened for country superstars Thompson Square.   "Lovely Lily" comes in at #51, making it three songs on the SoundRaves 100 this week:   "Say Hello to Goodbye" drops from 4 to 11; while "Gettin' By" is still hanging in at #85 in its 32nd week.

The other biggie is the new Florence + the Machine offering, "What the Water Gave Me", from an upcoming second album to be announced.    Florence Welch definitely milked the previous effort, 2009's Lungs, with the hits "Kiss With A Fist" (on my 2009 year end list), "Dog Days Are Over" (#1 earlier this year), and "You Got the Love" (peaked at five, now at 17).   This one is a little slower, but just as soulful as their most recent songs. 


The SoundRaves 100 for week of August 22, 2011.

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	1	WILCO "I Might" Album: The Whole Love (2 weeks at #1)	5
2	7	Fitz and the Tantrums - Pickin' Up the Pieces	4
3	2	Plan B- Love Goes Down	9
4	6	Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie	6
5	3	Katy Perry - Last Friday Night	11
6	5	Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean	15
7	8	Avi Buffalo - How Come	9
8	9	Best Coast - Something In The Way	10
9	10	Brilliant Colors - How Much Younger	7
10	12	Lykke Li - Rich Kids Blues	5
11	11	Los Lonely Boys - 16 Monkeys	6
12	17	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:     THE KOOKS "Junk of the Heart (Happy)" Album: Junk of the Heart	7
13	4	Rachel Allyn - Say Hello To Goodbye	13
14	14	Fitz and the Tantrums - Don't Gotta Work It Out	5
15	13	Adele - Set Fire To the Rain	8
16	18	Maroon 5 f. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger	6
17	16	Florence + the Machine - You Got the Love	15
18	19	Foster the People - Helena Beat	7
19	15	Fitz and the Tantrums - Dear Mr. President	11
20	20	We Are Augustines - Chapel Song	10

22	31	SuperHeavy - Miracle Worker	5
23	36	The Antlers - Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out	4
24	35	The Jayhawks - She Walks In So Many Ways	4
25	39	Michelle Branch - Loud Music	7
26	30	Zac Brown Band f Jimmy Buffet - Knee Deep	16
27	27	Cee Lo Green - Bright Lights, Bigger City	8
28	52	Bush - The Sound of Winter	3
29	22	Portugal the Man - Got It All	11
30	26	Adele - Rolling In the Deep	37
31	46	PJ Harvey - Let England Shake	6
32	24	The Black Keys - Everlasting Light	11
33	41	Scotty McCreery - I Love You This Big	13
34	33	Generationals - Ten Twenty Ten	8
35	38	Arcade Fire - Month of May	15
36	45	Yacht - Dystopia	9
37	23	My Morning Jacket - Holdin' On to Black Metal	14
38	48	Kenny Chesney f. Grace Potter - You & Tequila	12
39	49	Lenny Kravitz - Stand	7
40	51	Trevor Hall - Brand New Day	5
41	25	Train - Save Me San Francisco	16
42	37	Adele - Rumour Has It	18
43	28	Foo Fighters - Walk	11
44	32	Coldplay - Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall	12
45	34	Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory	11
46	43	Gomez - Options	13
47	77	MOVER OF THE WEEK:   ANNA CALVI "Blackout" Album: Anna Calvi	2
48	40	Sleeper Agent - Get It Daddy	9
49	62	Death Cab For Cutie - Stay Young Go Dancing	3
50	29	Neon Trees - Your Surrender	18
51	44	KT Tunstall - Glamour Puss	9
52	57	Jason Aldean - Dirt Road Anthem	4
53	59	Holy Ghost! - Do It Again	4
54	----	TOP DEBUT:   RACHEL ALLYN "Lovely Lily" (Single Only)	1
55	47	Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi-Two Against One	20
56	50	Beastie Boys - Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win	7
57	55	Arctic Monkeys - Don't Sit Down 'Cause I Moved Your Chair	13
58	67	The Airborne Toxic Event - All I Ever Wanted	3
59	53	The Lonely Forest - We Sing In Time	10
60	54	Adele - Someone Like You	18
61	42	The Strokes - Taken For A Fool	15
62	84	The Big Troubles - Bite Yr Tongue	2
63	65	Incubus - Promises, Promises	6
64	58	Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks	31
65	68	The Band Perry - If I Die Young	8
66	81	Haley Reinhart - House of the Rising Sun	2
67	64	Goo Goo Dolls - All That You Are	7
68	----	Florence + the Machine - What the Water Gave Me	1
69	73	Grouplove - Colours	5
70	56	Kate Voegele - Heart In Chains	15
71	60	Lykke Li - Get Some	15
72	88	Macy Gray - Kissed It	2
73	70	Colbie Calliat - Brighter Than the Sun	7
74	78	The Rosebuds - Second Bird of Paradise	3
75	63	Brett Dennon - Comeback Kid	11
76	76	Mutemath - Blood Pressure	3
77	61	Ray Lamontagne & the Pariah Dogs - Repo Man	14
78	69	Young the Giant - Cough Syrup	8
79	72	The Decemberists - Calamity Song	5
80	87	Surfer Blood- Swim	3
81	91	Lady Antebellum - Just A Kiss	2
82	86	O.A.R.- Heaven	4
83	92	Alter Bridge - Ghost of Days Gone By	3
84	66	The Raveonettes - Apparitions	13
85	74	Rachel Allyn - Gettin' By	32
86	90	The Mountain Goats - Estate Sale Sign	3
87	----	Evanescence - What You Want	1
88	----	The Drums - Money	1
89	96	Mister Heavenly - Mister Heavenly	2
90	71	Paramore - Monster	12
91	----	Lauren Alaina - Like My Mother Does	1
92	75	Linkin Park - Iridescent	10
93	80	The Head and the Heart - Lost In My Mind	9
94	95	Jane's Addiction - Irresistable Force	2
95	----	Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - I Swear	1
96	82	Kings of Leon - Back Down South	11
97	94	Gym Class Heroes f. Adam Levine - Stereo Hearts	3
98	----	Cults - Go Outside	1
99	83	Drive-By Truckers - Everybody Needs Love	17
100	99	Kopecky Family Band - Howlin' At the Moon	3