New Jersey's Oneiric: Capturing that FM 70's Progressive Sound Once More (SNS week of 3/14/2021)

 I was wondering, as I do each week, what theme to come up with in my blog posts.   Originally, I figured it would be about the Grammys--not a blow-by-blow description of what happened (especially since I didn't watch it, nor did I intend on doing so)---but about its all time low ratings and how the recording academy, like the other academies, just don't get the reason why.   But my cooler head prevailed so I decided not to use this space to vent.

New Jersey band Oneiric last week released their debut single "The Ride".

So, the second story was going to be a few words and clarifications about a New Jersey band that I added to the blog playlist last week, namely "The Ride" by a three-piece band called Oneiric.   After all, what I had written last week was based on the fact that I had no idea who they were.   My friend and fellow high school classmate Debbie Antoinette  sent me a Facebook request to like that band's page.

Well, as has been the case over the ten and a half years I've been doing this blog, whenever someone posts about a band or artist, I check them out, and see if they have any original material, an album, single, or what have you, in release.   But what had intrigued me about this particular band is that 12 of my friends---all from my hometown of Roselle Park, NJ--follow their page.   

Did I miss something?   Is this a band that had been playing the local circuit in North or Central Jersey that had been around for awhile, and that I'm late to the party?   This trio had come out with a song called "The Ride", so naturally I went onto iTunes to check out their catalog, so see how long they've been around.

That's when I ran into some confusion.    There were many songs and albums listed, dating back to 2013 by an artist called Oneiric, so my primary indication was that this band had been around for awhile, and I even stated that last week.    Well, I really screwed that up big time.   Turns out that not only these entries weren't by this band, but there were TWO other artists by that name, each putting out an eponymous album.   One of them was a hip-hop act, the other a metal band.   Neither of them were this band.

Turns out that this new band I am checking out wasn't either of those acts, but a brand new band, and "The Ride" was their first single release, period.    So it was nice, I at least got in on the action right from the start.

But then the group of friends that already liked the band started to make sense.   I had commented on the band's single that I had added the song to my blog playlist, when Debbie responded "thank you, Rob! My grandson and granddaughter are so proud of their song and band!"   So there is the connection and it makes this band even more special.   

So of course, I wanted to find out more about this trio.  The band consists of a guy named Ted (can't find his last name as of yet) handling lead vocals and bass, and Debbie's grandkids:  Evan Carpenter on guitar, synthesizer and backing vocals, and Evan's sister Emily Carpenter on drums and percussion.   (And the fact there's a brother-and-sister named Carpenter might be a good omen:  Another bro-and-sis with that surname found huge success fifty years earlier!)

But this trio doesn't play soft rock.   However, judging from "The Ride" it does seem like they've traveled back in time to the early 1970's with their music.  While looking at the band's posts, although it appears that the band Rush might be an influence, their music goes back a few years before that Canadian band made their mark.   With their prog-rock leanings, augmented with folk and acoustic overtones, you can think of Oneiric as a cross of early Genesis, Journey, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Jethro Tull with a dash of Allman Brothers thrown in for good measure.   

So, once again, I have to say this, just as I did when reviewing fellow Jerseyans ScreenAge, or the Long Island band I featured last week, Øff Guard:  That these three know their rock history but rather than "duplicate" it, manage to come up with something original in that style.

And original they definitely are.  They write and perform their own music.   According to one of the band's posts, there are no "ghost" writers or performers and the music they play on gigs--no backing tracks.  They are not on a major label, so creative control is no issue and thus they don't feel confined to the music they want to do.   They produce and mix their own songs.   According to them, "artistic integrity is very, very important to make a connection to people".    

Their Facebook posts are really interesting and they are able to share the recording process.  They share their non-musical interests as well. Apparently they love to ski---they recently posted a day at Camelback Ski area (where I myself learned to ski 36 years ago).  Like Øff Guard, they had a lot of teaser posts to promote their new single.    And like ScreenAge (and wouldn't it be cool if both those bands were on a single bill playing a Jersey gig?), they seem to be enjoying themselves, goofing around and all.    Perhaps another post of theirs sums it all up to a tee:  "Modern music is manufactured. Each note placed on a grid, making it sound inhuman and lifeless.  Perfection isn't human.  Imperfection has beauty and a certain quality that makes music sound more alive.  That's one of the reasons why older music sounds better than modern music. Our music isn't place on a digital grid".   I couldn't agree more.  So, while the Grammys, pop radio and rags like Rolling Stone continue to make these "modern pop" songs and artists look like genius, I will go for bands like Oneiric, thank you.   Heck, it's the reason why I started this blog in the first place.

This week, "The Ride" makes an impressive jump from 80 to 59 on the SNS 100.    It's definitely a band I will be following for quite awhile!

 'HONEY', I'M STILL NUMBER ONE:   Tinkers Lane holds onto the top position with "Honey Honey" as it remains there for a second week.   It's another very strong week for the Top 10 as the other songs in it could have easily be number one if it was any other time--it's that competitive.   David F. Porfirio moves 3-2 with "That Night on Bergenline Avenue", dropping Emily MacMahon's "Only Us" to #3.   But the two hot songs I've been listening to--Anna Lavigne's "Every kind of heaven" (10-4), and Fleet Foxes' "Sunbird" (12-5) continue to make big moves.    They pretty much stop the other songs in their tracks.   Positions 15-20 are also strong and competitive with advances by Einstein's Dad, Boy Pablo, Maybird, Kitten and Illiterate Light featuring Devon Gilfillan bulleting, though some are these are unable to move up. 

Some other strong movers outside the top 20 include The Avalanches' "The Divine Chord" (33-23), Tytillidie's (who, incidentally is another Roselle Park find, he (Tyler Jones) is the son of another friend and classmate Joanne Oehler) "Doomsday" (41-29); last week's Top Debut Øff Guard's "Sincere" (58-40) and this week's Mover, The Offspring's "Let the Bad Times Roll" (72-44).

DEBUTS, WE HAVE DEBUTS:  Leading the pack is the latest by Britain's Jade Bird, following up her #1 "Headstart" with "Open Up the Heavens", at #61.   It's definitely the perfect follow-up, a bouncy slice of pop-rock, very listener friendly.   Like the prior song, the chorus grabs you by the ear and doesn't let go.  Another refreshing song from the songstress who seems to get better with each release:   Her blog debut, 2018's "Lottery" peaked here at #73, followed by "Uh Huh" (#20), "I Get No Joy" (#16) and of course "Headstart" at #1 (now at #9).

Multi-genre singer-songwriter Valerie June, from Memphis, enters this week with "Call Me A Fool", which features R&B legend Carla Thomas.

Next is a nice soulful vibe from Valerie June, "Call Me A Fool".   This is her second blog song; her first was way back in 2013, "You Can't Be Told", which only peaked at #39 but stayed on the playlist an impressive 31 weeks.   Based in Memphis, her style encompasses many genres:  Bluegrass, gospel (which she grew up on), Americana, roots rock, folk, blues and even dream pop.   As for this track, it features legendary R&B/soul singer Carla Thomas, probably best known for her top 20 pop hit "B-A-B-Y" way back in 1965 with a slew of other tracks on the R&B track, including a couple of #1's, dating back to the late 1950's.   And the record definitely bears the mark of Ms. Thomas' style.   A nice, refreshing change.   Recommended.

While David F. Porfirio is still scaling the top five with "That Night on Bergenline Avenue", I am adding his follow-up "Self Portrait" as he seems to be releasing songs (and albums) with regularity.  And while "Self Portrait" contains his usual superb guitar work with the ever-present steel-type percussion punctuated into it, this one has more of a jazzy feel to it.   While you could play air-guitar and groove to "...Bergenline", this one invites you to simply chill out, perhaps with a glass of wine and take it all in.    Should be a shoo-in for a fourth straight top ten showing here.

Ukulele virtuoso Gia Ness follows up her top 5 Beatles cover of "Across the Universe" with another cover, this time it's The Cure's "Lovesong".   And while her previous outing, also from her album Incidental Music included her niece Ariel Walton on double bass,  "Lovesong" features Gia's son Cameron Ness, helping out.   The song has a lot of history to it.  The Cure's original peaked at #2 on Billboard in 1989, and was also my #1 song that year.   Alternative band 311 released a cover of it in 2004, going to #1 on the alternative chart; the song was from the soundtrack of the Drew Barrymore-Adam Sandler film 50 First Dates.   Most recently Adele covered it on her 21 set; that song as an album cut, reached #12 on my blog in early 2012.    Here, Gia's recording is faithful to the prior versions, with her harmonizing with Cameron adding a big plus to the song, along with the instrumental break.   

Also debuting is "This Island" by TV Priest, a British band with their debut album Uppers, the song is a rather 80's-ish punk/new wave concoction that could catch on with repeated listenings; Aussie band CIVIC, with "Radient Eye"; Quarters of Change, a five-piece alternative band from New York City, with "Cyclone Trip", and finally Amy Shark's latest, "All The Lies About Me".

AND FINALLY:  Yes, a little bit about the Grammys.   The ratings hit an all-time low, just as the Golden Globes did a few weeks before.  I'll let you come up with possible reasons.   But a couple good things:  Two songs that hit my blog top 10 did get awards:  Harry Styles' "Watermelon Sugar", which hit #6 here (and #1 on the Hot 100), won Best Pop Solo Performance; and Brittany Howard's blog #10 "Stay High" nabbed Best Rock Song. 

And I think that's a good time to end this week's blog.

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

March 14, 2021

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	1	NUMBER ONE: TINKERS LANE "Honey Honey" Album: The Noise is Beautiful (2 weeks at #1)	11
2	3	David F. Porfirio - That Night on Bergenline Avenue	8
3	2	Emily MacMahon - Only Us	11
4	10	Anna Lavigne - Every Kind of Heaven	3
5	12	Fleet Foxes - Sunblind	3
6	5	Aaron Frazer - Over You	10
7	7	Frances Forever - Space Girl	8
8	6	Kings of Leon- The Bandit	8
9	4	Jade Bird - Headstart●	17
10	8	Bryan Hansen Band - Waiting For Tomorrow	9
11	9	The Mystery Lights - It's Alright	16
12	14	Molly Burch ft. Wild Nothing - Emotion	11
13	11	Surfer Blood - Parkland (Into the Silence)	10
14	13	Gwen Stefani - Let Me Reintroduce Myself	14
15	20	Boy Pablo - Hey Girl	5
16	16	Einstein's Dad - OMT	8
17	19	Maybird - Dreamcatcher	7
18	18	Kitten  - What Year Are We In	11
19	22	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: ILLITERATE LIGHT featuring DEVON GILFILLIAN "Freedom" (Single Only)	9
20	23	Iration - Coastin	9
21	15	Bakar - 1st Time●	18
22	25	Future Islands - Plastic Beach	7
23	33	The Avalanches - The Divine Chord	5
24	24	Delacey - Unlovable	11
25	17	James Hunter Six - I Can Change Your Mind	15
26	30	The Weeknd - Save Your Tears	6
27	29	Taylor Swift ft The National - Coney Island	6
28	28	I Don't Know How But They Found Me - Leave Me Alone	10
29	41	Tytillidie - Doomsday	4
30	21	Ariel Pink - Crybaby	10
31	26	Elise Farnsworth - Pixie Dust●	17
32	47	Sunflower Bean - Moment in the Sun	7
33	38	The Black Keys - Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth	9
34	27	Blake Shelton ft. Gwen Stefani - Happy Anywhere	12
35	46	Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License	5
36	39	Ed Sheeran - Afterglow	11
37	43	Harry Styles - Golden	9
38	51	Midnight Sister - Foxes	4
39	54	Babeheaven - Human Nature	4
40	58	Øff Guard - Sincere	2
41	44	Cold War Kids - 1 X 1	8
42	49	Glass Animals - Heat Waves	10
43	37	Paul McCartney - Find My Way	8
44	72	MOVER OF THE WEEK: THE OFFSPRING "Let the Bad Times Roll" Album: Let the Bad Times Roll	2
45	31	Django Django - Spirals	22
46	42	Kjband - Rock Star	10
47	50	Clairo - Sofia	7
48	32	Shannon Marsyada - The Road	13
49	68	Winnetka Bowling League - Romantic Way	2
50	34	Cannons - Fire For You	13
51	40	Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky●	26
52	36	Gia Ness ft Ariel Walton - Across the Universe	16
53	35	Miley Cyrus ft. Dua Lipa - Prisoner	14
54	56	Beebadoobee - Charlie Brown	5
55	75	Machine Gun Kelly ft Blackbear- My Ex's Best Friend	2
56	62	Two Feet - Think I'm Crazy	6
57	45	Morgan Wallen - More Than My Hometown	12
58	60	The Happy Fits - Hold Me Down	4
59	80	Oneiric - The Ride	2
60	48	Fitz - Head Up High	18
61	---	TOP DEBUT: JADE BIRD "Open Up the Heavens" (Single Only)	1
62	70	Foo Fighters - Waiting On a War	3
63	64	Weezer - All My Favorite Songs	7
64	52	Cage the Elephant - Skin and Bones	20
65	85	Black Coffee ft. Maxine Ashley and Sun El Musician - You Need Me	6
66	53	The Blue Stones - Let It Ride	21
67	69	Temples - Paraphenalia	4
68	79	Phoebe Ryan - Fantasy	3
69	---	Valerie June ft Carla Thomas - Call Me a Fool	1
70	59	Chris Stapleton - Cold	19
71	81	Nathaniel Rateliff - Redemption	3
72	55	Brittany Howard - You'll Never Walk Alone	17
73	---	David F. Porfirio - Self-Portrait	1
74	61	Gracie Abrams - Friend	7
75	73	Haim ft. Taylor Swift - Gasoline	4
76	57	Winnetka Bowling League - Congratulations	17
77	74	The Neighbourhood - Stargazing	3
78	---	Gia Ness ft. Cameron Ness - Love Song	1
79	77	Bleachers ft Bruce Springsteen - Chinatown	5
80	82	Sports Team - Fishing	4
81	---	TV Priest - This Island	1
82	65	The Backseat Lovers - Kilby Girl	34
83	71	Awolnation - Radical	8
84	---	CIVIC - Radient Eye	1
85	86	Michigander - Let Down	3
86	66	The Beths - Mars, the God of War	6
87	83	Echosmith ft. Mat Kearney - Tell Her You Love Her	4
88	67	Peach Tree Rascals - Mariposa	10
89	78	Animal Island - We're Already Home	4
90	88	Porter Robinson - Look at the Sky	2
91	91	Carole's Daughter - Violent	2
92	---	Quarters of Change - Cyclone Trip	1
93	95	Baio - Dead  Hand Control	2
94	---	Amy Shark - All The Lies About Me	1
95	63	ZZ Ward - Giant	14
96	76	Dayglow  - Close To You	5
97	84	Surfer Blood - Karen	27
98	87	Nothing Nowhere - Fake Friend	6
99	94	Screen Age - Blue Eyed Addiction●	43
100	92	Fleshtones - Alex Trebek	18

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.