Making Sense of the Election (SNS week of 11/1/2020)

 It's not a secret that this edition is very late.  I had thought about combining weeks of this blog which I really don't want to do.   But, with the recent events nationally, it took a lot of thought and pain to determine how to approach this sensitive subject.

In writing my blog, I have tried, at all possible to avoid politics, in spite of that playing a historical key in the history of popular music.   It's no secret, however, there's the proverbial elephant in the room and there is the need to comment on it.    While I, along with everyone else, has an opinion, I have really tried to write the blog each week being neutral, taking in account both sides of the aisle, something which seems very unique in this day and age in partisan media.

Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (L) and Incumbent Republican Donald J Trump were the candidates in a hotly contest election on November 3 which wouldn't be decided for five more days, when Biden was project the winner.  However Trump is contesting some of the states' counts.

Of course, I am referring to the recent election, as, after several days, it appears the former Vice-President Joe Biden has defeated the incumbent President Donald Trump.    While there are lawsuits still pending in the way the election votes were counted in certain states, it's pretty much assumed that we will have a new president come January.    

Given the hatred of the sitting president within the entertainment industry, which of course includes the music and recording sector, it seems like quite a relief, especially in the remarks of Hollywood and the many musicians who have vocally opposed President Trump.    This ranges from not only national figures like Bruce Springsteen, all the way down to many of my blog favorites.

But, are happy days really here again?   There are many issues regarding President Trump, some warranted such as his demeanor, thin-skinned in dealing with the media, not the best speaker (shocking given his role as the owner of many real estate ventures) and other issues.    Then there's the perception that he is somehow racist, misogynist, and homophobic.    Well, that's how the mainstream liberal-leaning media would have you believe.   

On paper at least, his ascension to the President would be a breath of fresh air.   An outsider and non-politician, some of his back-to-basics way of America, of course with the new culture aspects of inclusion in place, would lead to making the country "great again".    Companies would come back to the U.S., increase security (particularly a wall to be erected along the Mexican border), and increased presence of troops deployed overseas to combat terrorism in the form of Taliban and Isis.   Moving towards energy independence which was largely responsible for the decades-long conflict in the Middle East, and finally the start of possible relations with North Korea.     Trump has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace prize.

However, many people weren't aware of these accomplishments because the media would always focus on the negative.  Some celebrity hating Trump would command the news over his accomplishments.   We know that the media influences the people and their opinions, and like rolling a snowball over and over, it gets large and out of proportion.   

As for the other allegations, wasn't Trump posed with the LGBTQ+ flag?   And as far as treatment of women, while everyone is celebrating Kamala Harris as the first woman vice-president, the prior candidate for that position, Sarah Palin was crucified ad-infinitum by the media, not to mention the same with Trump's press secretaries Sarah Sanders and Kayleigh McEnany.  Apparently if women are conservative, you can throw out misogynony out the window; they're fair game for ridicule.    And don't forget the treatment of new Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and while Christina Blasey Ford was made a national hero while lying about Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Tara Reade's accusation of sexual assault from President Elect Biden was ignored.    As far as race relations, anyone  who has studied Trump in the decades since he became a public figure would know he isn't a racist.   

So, then, what's ahead?   Its it smooth sailing ahead for the Democrats and the liberal media?  How long will the dancing in the streets last?    The industry got rid of Trump, but was it for the right reasons?   There is growing support for socialism in this country on behalf of Vice President-elect Harris and figures like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez are at the forefront for this "change".  It could take control over any free-enterprise system which also includes the entertainment industry.    It's bad enough that the popular music genre is so homogenized  with no variation and diversity of the music in years.   Yes, there have been no rock hits in 11 years (and I don't consider Panic! at the Disco, AJR or Portugal. The Man classic-style rock.   And forget rock, how about some international sounds that have occasionally been popular over the years.  Yes, there's K-Pop, but how about some others.   

Let's just remember that you may have gotten rid of one problem but perhaps not another.   The U.S. (and Cubans) were ecstatic when the Cuban regime of Fulgenio Bautista, as there were also dancing in the streets when that regime fell.   And what did we get in its wake?  Fidel Castro.  So be careful what you wish for.

As I said above, this is my blog, and after reading everyone's posts about the topic, it's only fair that I deliver mine.   I will continue to support musicians no matter what their stance is on politics, and write in a fair and balanced way.  As I wrote in a prior column, it's better to put it in song than to just talk about it.   I have gladly added songs from all points of view (and this week, a song by a band called Fuhm which pretty much trashes Trump..see below).  

Artists shouldn't be stymied regarding their opinions, but condemning one that doesn't go along with what's popular should not be tolerated.   National artists like Kid Rock, for example have pretty much been "blacklisted" due to their beliefs.   Sadly, a local favorite, Shannon Marsyada feels like she has endured the same thing.  Marsyada, who has won songwriting awards in the past, has felt helpless and discouraged through all this.   And I wonder if there are any performers out there who also feel the same way but are forced to denounce the president in fear of being humiliated.    Sadly, this is how socialism and communism works, and perhaps at the path we soon are taking, it could become a reality if we don't wake up?  Is a dislike for one person worth it?  Food for thought. 

Of course, for the music industry there's a bigger ongoing problem as COVID-19 not only continues but we're experiencing a second wave, depriving those making a living doing concerts and even being able to make new music.   

Godspeed to all the musicians out there!

PUTTING MONEY WHERE MY MOUTH IS:  Miley Cyrus, one of many artists who has made it clear on how she feels about the current president, nonetheless has her second blog number one song, with "Midnight Sky", which follows 2017's "Malibu" to the top.   Talk about another person who is perceived wrongly, when people decry the fall of pop music, artists like her are often mentioned, but this woman has a great raspy voice and much talent.    And it goes beyond "Wrecking Ball" which pretty much seems to the one song that people like.   That's not a bad one, but the two I mentioned blow that one away with heart and soul.  

There's a good reason for that.  Both songs are personal statements on her life. "Malibu" was about a new beginning on her relationship, while "Midnight Sky" hinted at the end of it.  One day after this song was released, she had announced a break-up with fellow artist Cody Simpson. 

The song is from her forthcoming seventh album to be released later this month.  Originally to be titled She is Miley Cyrus (and I had indicated as such when the song copped the "Mover of the Week" honors), it is now called Plastic Hearts.  

David F. Porfirio's "Driving at Dusk", last week's blog-topper falls to #2.   Shannon Marsyada's "A Love That Doesn't Hurt', which was dropping down the list, makes a sudden reversal and moves back up from #11 to #3.   For me, it's a show of support that artists should not be penalized for having an opinion that is deemed "not acceptable" by the mainstream media.  I am hoping and praying the Shannon completes her holiday album in time for the season.  Devon Gilfillan, Surfer Blood, Real Estate and Animal Island are still going strong and still contending for a future #1. 

As for the adds this week, they are led by the latest from The Shins.  "The Great Divide" is their first in awhile.  The band had a #1 blog hit in 2012 with "The Rifle's Spiral".  The new one is somewhat of a departure for them, a more surreal, progressive ride for the band.  Think of the prog band Yes with a more contemporary beat and you have "The Great Divide".   An interesting change.  Right now, it's a standalone single.   Caamp, which has score a couple times on my playlist this year, most notably with the #13 "Peach Fuzz", are back with a new single as well, "Officer of Love".  It's definitely in the indie-folk mode.  Next is Chris Stapleton, a country singer whose 2015 "Traveler" hit my top 20.  His new one is "Cold" and is more in the blues and soul vibe than country, and has been getting Triple-A airplay.  It should equal, if not surpass the prior song.   Middle Kids, the Aussie rockers have a mainstream rock sound on "R  U 4 Me", while Kurt Vile offers the very folky 'How Lucky" which features John Prine, who had passed away earlier this year.

IRE-HATE-A?: And that brings us to the final debut, and pretty much full circle from the beginning of the blog:  "Send Out the Clown" by Fuhm.   As you might suspect from the title, it is indeed an attack on President Trump.    And then there's the video.   It's a liberal person's dream and a conservative one's nightmare.   All the horrible things that the media has said about him are right here.

So, why did I add the song?  Well, it's because of something I have said time and time again, that I have tolerance for artists who put their views and opinions into song and not resort to sound bites in the media.    And there's another reason:  The band is headed by Allison Ireheta.

Ireheta was a contestant on American Idol during Season 8; she was 16 years old at the  time and brought a refreshing alt-rock sound to the proceedings.  She landed a contract and released her first album Just Like You, in 2009.  It contained the rather poppy single "Friday I'll Be Over U", which despite landing at my #9 spot on my year-end list for that year, was a commercial disappointment, and she had stated she didn't have much creative control, and for her second album, she would take the reins.   That never happened as she was dropped by her label.

Allison then went indie and eventually formed Halo Circus, initially an eight-piece band.   The band, formed in 2013 and toured small venues, including Garwood NJ's Crossroads, had a nice string of eight straight top 20 blog hits, capped by the #5 "Narcissist", also an attack on Trump.   By 2017, however, Halo Circus was pared down to just two:  Ireheta and boyfriend Matthew Hager.   However, in 2019 the couple split and so did the band.

Her new band, Fuhm reunited her with two prior members of Halo Circus.   The vicious attack on the president aside, the sound is a hard, contemporary rock, something solely needed these days.   While it enters my list at #88, it only has two favorite points, the lowest ever for a debuting song on my blog.   It's a good song, musically, but I'm not sure how long I can keep it on my list with is disturbing attack that is completely based on the one-sided media's perception.   

Remember that silencing the "opposition" is censorship, and that goes both ways. 

 As Evelyn Beatrice Hall, a British writer once said, "I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it."

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

November 1, 2020

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	NUMBER ONE: MILEY CYRUS "Midnight Sky" Album: Plastic Hearts	8
2	1	David F. Porfirio - Driving at Dusk	12
3	11	MOVER OF THE WEEK: SHANNON MARSYADA "A Love That Doesn't Hurt" Album: Oceans	14
4	3	Michael Kiwanuka - You Ain't The Problem	12
5	7	Devon Gilfillan - The Good Life	8
6	4	The Mystery Lights - 21 & Counting	12
7	10	Surfer Blood - Karen	9
8	8	Real Estate - The Main Thing	9
9	6	Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar	11
10	12	Animal Island - Tonight	10
11	9	Elle King - The Let Go	9
12	5	Winnetka Bowling League - Come to the Beach	13
13	15	Pickwick - Never Gonna Be Enough	9
14	18	Fleet Foxes - Can I Believe You	5
15	17	Dan Croll - Away From Today	9
16	22	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: IRATION "Right Here Right Now" Album: Coastin'	10
17	13	Guards - So It Goes	17
18	14	My Morning Jacket - Feel You	15
19	16	Screen Age - Blue Eyed Addiction●	25
20	21	The Backseat Lovers - Kilby Girl	16
21	30	Black Pumas - Black Moon Rising	7
22	29	Mabel - Mad Love	6
23	25	Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors - Whatever Gets You Through	5
24	26	Sea Wolf - Blood Pact	13
25	28	Morgan Wallen - 7 Summers	7
26	34	Pretenders - Didn't Want to Be This Lonely	7
27	24	The Jayhawks - This Forgotten Town	15
28	20	Elise Farnsworth - In the Morning Light	16
29	19	Karen Wallo - Rain Away My Sorrow	12
30	36	Tennis - Superstar	4
31	32	Eliza and the Delusionals - Pull Apart Heart	23
32	37	The Blue Stones - Let It Ride	3
33	23	The Regrettes - What Am I Gonna Do Today	18
34	40	Bright Eyes - Mariana Trench	5
35	33	Bakar - Hell N Back	18
36	42	Phoebe Ryan - Ring	6
37	27	Delta Spirit - How About It	16
38	39	Tame Impala - Is It True	10
39	31	James Bay - Chew  On My Heart	10
40	35	Donna Missal - Let You Let Me Down	24
41	41	The Rolling Stones ft. Jimmy Page- Scarlet	7
42	48	New Order - Be A Rebel	3
43	38	Delacey  - Chapel	28
44	43	The Beths - I'm Not Getting Excited	6
45	51	Black Pumas - I'm Ready	3
46	68	Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors -  Where the River Flows	2
47	49	The Strokes - Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus	5
48	53	Phoebe Ryan - Try It Sober	4
49	54	Bebadoobee - Care	4
50	70	Cage the Elephant - Skin and Bones	2
51	58	Django Django - Spirals	4
52	45	Pepper - Change●	27
53	66	The Avalanches - Wherever You Go	2
54	61	Of Monsters and Men - Visitor	3
55	63	All Time Low ft. Black Bear - Monsters	5
56	46	The Go-Go's - Club Zero	6
57	56	Nothing But Thieves - Real Love Song	7
58	60	Ava Max - Kings and Queens	4
59	65	Eliza and the Delusionals - Sentimental	3
60	44	Gary Clark Jr -Feelin' Like a Million	11
61	47	Saint Motel  - Preach	7
62	67	The Regrettes - I Love Us	4
63	64	Machine Gun Kelly - Bloody Valentine	7
64	75	Deep Sea Diver ft. Sharon Van Etten - Impossible Weight	2
65	74	Bon Jovi -ft. Jennifer Nettles - Do What You Can	3
66	77	Kathleen Edwards - Hard on Everyone	3
67	---	TOP DEBUT: THE SHINS "The Great Divide" (Single Only)	1
68	50	Christina Alessi - So In Love With You	17
69	55	Tennis - How To Forgive	14
70	79	Dermot Kennedy - Giants	2
71	59	Donna Missal - How Does It Feel	19
72	72	Walk Off the Earth - Further We Go	5
73	---	Caamp - Officer of Love	1
74	---	Chris Stapleton - Cold	1
75	57	Milky Chance and Jack Johnson - Don't Let Me Down	19
76	69	Dreamers - Heat Seeker	16
77	81	AJR -Bummerland	2
78	71	Billie Eilish - My Future	8
79	---	Middle Kids - R U 4 Me	1
80	52	Chicano Batman - Blank State	12
81	73	Best Coast - Everything Has Changed	29
82	83	Royal Blood - Trouble's Coming	2
83	62	Colony House - Original Material	22
84	---	Kurt Vile ft John Prine - How Lucky	1
85	76	Ray LaMontagne - Strong Enough	21
86	80	Real Estate ft Sylvan Esso - Paper Cup	20
87	84	Foster the People - The Things We Do	8
88	---	Fuhm - Send Out the Clown	1
89	82	AJR - Bang!	28
90	86	Elise Farnsworth - Safety Net	25
91	88	The Outcrops - Lost Days●	32
92	78	Bruce Springsteen - Letter To You	6
93	85	Neon Trees - New Best Friend	14
94	87	Black Pumas - Colors	20
95	89	Norah Jones - I'm Alive	22
96	91	The Rolling Stones - Living in a Ghost Town	27
97	90	MyKey ft. Cavetown -Was It Something I Said?	22
98	100	Gary Clark Jr - Pearl Cadillac●	26
99	RE ENTRY	Caroline Rose - Feel The Way I Want	22
100	RE ENTRY	C. Lynne Smith - Real	23

 

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.   ● Songs with 25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲   Songs with 50 or more plays.