This came just a few days after the Great Lakes area, namely the Buffalo NY area received seven feet of snow causing them to move the Jets-Bills football came to Detroit. Since this is a music blog, I will refrain to report what happened, since I'm a Jets fan. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. Well, this storm which dumped the snow on us in Northwestern New Jersey, also affected upstate New York, and at once point, a portion of the New York State Thruway is closed. Astute music followers might be getting where I'm going at this point.
"The New York State Thruway is closed....far out!" remarked Arlo Guthrie at perhaps the most famous rock festival in history back in 1969. Aside from that quote, as well as his hit from 1972, "City of New Orleans", he is especially known for something this time of year: "Alice's Restaurant".
A track which takes up the whole of side one from his landmark 1967 album of the same name, Alice's Restaurant, is for the most part, a spoken narrative (or talking blues style), regarding events from Thanksgiving two years earlier, about the singer's misadventures in Stockbridge Mass. It's a rather interesting adventure, which I won't get into here but you can check it out on the Internet. But, it became an annual ritual every Thanksgiving as it gets played to this day on my rock stations. WNEW-FM in New York played it for years; Q-104.3 continued the tradition playing it around noontime on Thanksgiving. Several years ago, I did visit the town and I believe I even roamed around the restaurant which isn't on the street front, but behind another building. Little did I know that place was part of rock'n'roll history. It's also great to see some friends posting it on Facebook, too. Aside from Adam Sandler's "Thanksgiving Song" which came out over twenty years ago, there really isn't anything 'Thanksgiving" in rock culture. I do hope you all had a nice Turkey Day.
And there is an "Alice's Restuarant" not too far from me along the shores of Lake Hopatcong. I wonder if it's open this time of year (it's a nice place to view the activity on the lake in the summertime.
BACK TO THE CHARTS: The song may be three years old, and the Ridgewood, NJ girl group may have broken up almost a year ago, but "Take It As It Comes", by the Vivian Girls ascends to the top spot this week on the SNS 100. Although the song got virtually no airplay and the album. the band's third, Share the Joy, didn't make any charts, I took notice when my friend Alan Corso, always a fan on this kind of music, played it on his iPod during a bonfire at his house. It's been regularly played during our Jets tailgates this autumn as well, assuring the top spot. As it is #1, I will be posting the video again; the first two times resulted in no "likes". That to me is quite surprising, as this song could have come out in either the "girl group" era of the early 1960's, or the new wave/post punk era of the 1980's as well.
Meanwhile, Fitz & the Tantrums now have two songs in the top 10. The official third single, "Fool's Gold" which they performed recently on ABC's "Good Morning America" vaults from 16 to 7 on my chart, joining the album track "6 AM" which holds at #3. The biggest mover is Meghan Trainor's catchy pop song "All About That Bass" which makes up for lost time, jumping from #36 to #12 in its third week. The song had an eight week run at #1 on Billboard earlier in the fall. You know when a pop song gets iconic when people start making up their own song parodies. You may have seen a viral video out by the Holderness Family, a parody called "All About That Baste (More Butter)" just in time for Thanksgiving. View it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWe4GpTaO8I
Very cute. However, the song is held at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to Taylor Swift. Speaking of Ms. Swift, I finally add her first song from her pop album, "Shake It Off", another song that has been widely talked about. It comes in at #63. Her new single, the current Billboard #1, "Blank Space", I will wait a few weeks on. I can't really go too "pop crazy" just yet!
TY-ING ONE ON: A couple years ago, I called him the "best new guitarist that no one has heard of". I will stand by that statement as "Tall Man, Skinny Lady" by Ty Segall, is the top debut at #53. 2012 was the year that, in various incarnations, that Segall's music was introduced to me. In the early spring, his collaboration with the band White Fence (who, on their own, makes a big jump in their own right from #24 to #13), "I Am Not a Game", spent two weeks at number one on my list; a subsequent song by the Ty Segall Band, "I Brought My Eyes", hit the top 10 that summer. Aside from those configurations, he has released many solo albums since his debut in 2008. A subsequent effort in late 2012, Sleeper, was released, which I did not get to pick up on; it had a more acoustic sound to it. But two years have passed, and the time is ripe for some new material. Let's just say that if you liked the two songs I featured back in 2012--or the new White Fence song--you will love "Tall Man, Skinny Lady". Perhaps a touch of nostalgia (he, being from San Francisco, picked up on some of the psychedelia that the town was noted for in the 1960's. However the guitar work is more contemporary, and the riff that is ongoing throughout the song is indeed infectious. His current album is called Manipulator; the track was a Brian Sniatkowski song of the week in October. I know rock is currently a niche format, but if you're looking for some great new music, check out Ty Segall.
YAST INFECTION: As I mentioned earlier, the top song came to me because of a friend playing it at football tailgates and other events. The second highest debut comes the same way, in the form of "Heart of Steel", by Swedish outfit Yast. Again, it was Alan Corso who put this one on his playlist. And thanks to SoundHound, I got the name of this one. This one is a bit more recent than the Vivian Girls--- the album, self titled, came out in early 2013---but again, if I heard it first, it's new to me. Very melodic dream pop, again with a retro-ness thrown in for good measure. They just don't make music like this anymore. Savior this one while you can.
AGAINST THE WORLD: Taylor Swift has the next highest debut with her recent national number one, but after that, coming in at #70, is "You and Me", by a duo called, well, "You+Me". While that name is rather nondescript, one of its members is certainly no stranger to my blog or to the listening public. That would be Alecia Beth Moore, known to you and me as Pink. Certainly, that songstress from Philly doesn't need to prove anything more, but it's refreshing to see her try something new. If you remember Maroon 5's song that was inspired by the movie The Hunger Games, "Come Away to the Water" (an SNS #1 from 2012) that was different from their usual style, this one does the same thing. A surreal, almost acoustic song, "You and Me" paired up Pink with Dallas Green (also known as City and Color) is from Canada, 35 years old and has released several albums of his own. Together they provide a very cohesive harmony, and well, make beautiful music together.
While the general public tends to categorize Pink with other "divas" such as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, I think her talent supersedes the others. Going back to her R&B/hip-hop-induced 2000 debut, she has traversed many styles. This one is the most radical departure. The album, also titled "You+Me" debuted at #4 on the Billboard album chart. The single, unfortunately, didn't chart, but that says more about the record-buying public than it does about Ms. Moore. If you want to really good music, check this one out.
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN: Black Friday, the evening of which I'm writing this blog, is upon us, and that means one thing: The holiday season is here. Of course, there will be my annual Top 100 countdown of holiday favorites; but equally interesting for me is the new material which comes out. I've added current holiday classes to my list during the holiday season, this being my fifth year. The band The Killers, for example come out with a Christmas song every year; my friend Tom Corea did two years ago with his studio ensemble The Hounds of Winter (whose "Amy's World" is still in my top 20, incidentally) and again last year with Bad Attitude. Will he come out with one again? Kelly Clarkson had a nice one last year with "Underneath the Tree". I usually favor new compositions rather than covers of classics, but I will add them also if they are unique enough.
Which brings me to the a capella group Pentatonix. You have seen them on TV during the past week; heck you can't avoid them. Their cover of "Little Drummer Boy" hit my chart last year, and they become the first to debut this season with "Mary Did You Know". They were featured in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and also appeared on the Today show early in the week. More of a serious version of another a capella group Straight No Chaser. If you want harmonies and music that sounds like it belongs in December, check this one out.
Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100
November 23, 2014
.
This Week
|
Last Week
|
ARTIST-Title
|
Weeks on List
|
1
|
2
|
NUMBER ONE:
VIVIAN GIRLS
"Take It As It Comes"
Album: Share the Joy
|
12
|
2
|
4
|
Hozier - Take Me To Church
|
14
|
3
|
3
|
Fitz and the Tantrums - 6AM
|
12
|
4
|
1
|
SomeKindaWonderful - Reverse
|
18
|
5
|
8
|
MOVER OF THE WEEK:
FOXYGEN
"How Can You Really?"
Album: ...And Star Power
|
3
|
6
|
5
|
The Big Takeover - Children of the Rhythm
|
6
|
7
|
16
|
Fitz and the Tantrums - Fools Gold
|
3
|
8
|
17
|
The Black Keys - Turn Blue
|
4
|
9
|
10
|
Brick + Mortar - Locked In A Cage
|
31
|
10
|
7
|
Foster the People - Best Friend
|
16
|
11
|
6
|
Avi Buffalo - So What
|
12
|
12
|
36
|
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:
MEGHAN TRAINOR
"All About That Bass"
Album:Title
|
3
|
13
|
24
|
White Fence - Like That
|
4
|
14
|
20
|
Strand of Oaks - Goshen '97
|
8
|
15
|
19
|
Jessica Lea Mayfield - I Wanna Love You
|
10
|
16
|
13
|
The Hounds of Winter - Amy's World
|
22
|
17
|
22
|
The Fresh & Onlys - Animal of One
|
10
|
18
|
9
|
Tacocat - Bridge to Hawaii
|
14
|
19
|
15
|
Maroon 5 - Maps
|
12
|
20
|
11
|
Terraplane Sun - You Never Know
|
20
|
.
21
|
21
|
Rachel Allyn - Restless Times Call for Reckless Measures
|
12
|
22
|
31
|
Alabama Shakes - Heartbreaker
|
4
|
23
|
30
|
The Gaslight Anthem - Get Hurt
|
6
|
24
|
14
|
MS MR - Think of You
|
22
|
25
|
28
|
Sam Roberts Band - Shapesifters
|
8
|
26
|
32
|
Phantogram - Black Out Days
|
6
|
27
|
33
|
Train - Angel In Blue Jeans
|
6
|
28
|
25
|
Damien Jurado - Silver Timothy
|
22
|
29
|
18
|
Vampire Weekend - Step
|
12
|
30
|
29
|
The Orwells - Who Needs You
|
16
|
31
|
12
|
Calvin Harris - Summer
|
16
|
32
|
37
|
Dum Dum Girls - Rimbaud Eyes
|
8
|
33
|
26
|
Afghan Whigs - Algiers
|
24
|
34
|
38
|
The Kooks - Around Town
|
8
|
35
|
43
|
The Satelliters - I Said Yeah Yeah Yeah
|
4
|
36
|
58
|
Interpol - All the Rage Back Home
|
2
|
37
|
68
|
St. Paul and the Broken Bones - Call Me
|
2
|
38
|
23
|
The Black Keys - Fever
|
22
|
39
|
41
|
Lorde - Glory and Gore
|
14
|
40
|
52
|
Grouplove - I'm With You
|
4
|
41
|
34
|
Broken Bells - No Matter What You're Told
|
22
|
42
|
51
|
Meg Myers - Desire
|
10
|
43
|
53
|
The Drums - Magic Mountain
|
4
|
44
|
57
|
The Eeries - Cool Kid
|
4
|
45
|
40
|
Nico & Vinz - Am I Wrong
|
16
|
46
|
48
|
Jenny Lewis - Just One of the Guys
|
10
|
47
|
47
|
MS MR - No Trace
|
4
|
48
|
50
|
Royal Bangs - Better Run
|
8
|
49
|
49
|
The Shins - So Now What
|
8
|
50
|
61
|
Weezer - Back to the Shack
|
3
|
51
|
65
|
Alt J - Left Hand Free
|
3
|
52
|
42
|
Ray LaMontagna - Supernova
|
14
|
53
|
----
|
TOP DEBUT:
TY SEGALL
"Tall Man Skinny Lady"
Album: Manipulator
|
1
|
54
|
27
|
Lily Allen - Hard Out Here
|
18
|
55
|
35
|
Mac DeMarco - Chamber of Reflection
|
20
|
56
|
60
|
Jungle - Time
|
10
|
57
|
62
|
Better Than Ezra - Crazy Lady
|
6
|
58
|
71
|
The Decemberists - Make You Better
|
2
|
59
|
44
|
Weird Al Yankovic - Word Crimes
|
6
|
60
|
----
|
Yast - Heart of Steel
|
1
|
61
|
69
|
Idina Menzel - Let It Go
|
18
|
62
|
70
|
Horse Thief - Devil
|
8
|
63
|
----
|
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
|
1
|
64
|
39
|
Jack White - Lazeretto
|
20
|
65
|
74
|
Milky Chance - Stolen Dance
|
10
|
66
|
79
|
Kings of Leon - Family Tree
|
2
|
67
|
75
|
Kongos - Come With Me Now
|
31
|
68
|
85
|
Colony House - Silhouettes
|
2
|
69
|
78
|
The Griswolds - Beware the Dog
|
4
|
70
|
----
|
You+Me - You and Me
|
1
|
71
|
66
|
Sam Smith - Stay With Me
|
12
|
72
|
46
|
Young the Giant - Mind Over Matter
|
8
|
73
|
----
|
A Day to Remember - End of Me
|
1
|
74
|
45
|
Lykke Li - No Rest of the Wicked
|
18
|
75
|
56
|
Dirty Heads - My Sweet Summer
|
14
|
76
|
82
|
Bastille - Flaws
|
3
|
77
|
83
|
J. Roddy Walston and the Business - Marigold
|
2
|
78
|
55
|
Lucius - Turn It Around
|
37
|
79
|
67
|
Linkin Park - Until It's Gone
|
6
|
80
|
81
|
Benjaman Booker - Valent Shiver
|
3
|
81
|
97
|
Valerie June - You Can't Be Told
|
19
|
82
|
77
|
ZZ Ward - Last Love Song
|
6
|
83
|
----
|
Pentatonix - Mary Did You Know
|
1
|
84
|
59
|
Lana Del Rey - West Coast
|
18
|
85
|
76
|
OK Go - The Writing's on the Wall
|
10
|
86
|
90
|
Bear Hands - Agorn
|
3
|
87
|
----
|
American Authors - Believer
|
1
|
88
|
----
|
Knox Hamilton - Work It Out
|
1
|
89
|
54
|
Anna Calvi - Eliza
|
16
|
90
|
64
|
Caveman - In the City
|
12
|
91
|
80
|
Broods - Bridges
|
10
|
92
|
91
|
My Brightest Diamond - Pressure
|
2
|
93
|
----
|
OneRepublic - Love Runs Out
|
1
|
94
|
63
|
Junior Prom - Sheila Put the Knife Down
|
22
|
95
|
93
|
Digitalism f. Youngblood Hawke - Wolves
|
2
|
96
|
----
|
Coldplay - A Sky Full of Stars
|
1
|
97
|
----
|
Joywave - Tongues
|
1
|
98
|
73
|
Spoon - Do You
|
8
|
99
|
84
|
Iggy Azalea - Fancy
|
8
|
100
|
72
|
Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High
|
20
|
..
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