This week's blog is sort of a sequel to last week's, in that I had analyzed the pros and cons of acts releasing several songs with a span of a few weeks. Well, this week I pretty much jump into the current. Added this week are two more songs by ScreenAge from their DNR set (as the first two songs are still 1-2 on the SNS 100); the second single from Molly Burch, "Heart of Gold", from her upcoming Romantic Images album, as "Control" moves toward the top 10; a third single from Pageants, "Just Tell Me", to go along with the #4 "All Bets Aside" and the bulleted-at-#36 "It Might Be Crazy", all from their second album due next month.
And that doesn't include David Porfirio's new 1986 album, out this week, and the latest EDM song featuring Matt Weiss, "Can I Be the One". Add to that, Einstein's Dad's second album release (just several months after the first one) this year, and the two Oneiric songs in the top 20 and you have yourself sort of a blitz not seen since the top 40 days of 1965 when the British Invasion and Motown artists ruled.
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| Austin, Texas-based singer Molly Burch is but one artists who has been promoting the product on social media. Two of her songs are currently climbing my Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100 playlist. |
Of course, we're just talking about my own personal playlist here (although the current top 40 scene seems to be dominated by just a few artists as well, but that's not this story!). And, with so much music on my "to add" list and wanting to concentrate on new artists that deserve to be heard both on a local and national level, let's get these awesome songs added to my playlist now. Let's face it, ScreenAge has outdone themselves with "Going Back" and "Questions", both of which I reviewed three weeks ago when they released DNR. The songs are diverse in styles without straying from their creative lane. Why wait ten weeks to add a song when it hits you with immediate impact? The same goes for Pageants: This is the most active that this Long Beach, California band has been since they formed eleven years ago, so let's get as much as we possibly can.
I know I've been in a rut when it comes to blog subjects, since I've focused much of my time in getting to know these artists. But I am so glad that I have. A few days ago I got a complimentary CD of Oneiric's "The Ride" single (#10 this week), and am about to receive a press kit for ScreenAge, thanks to their manager. I believe in these new artists, and perhaps some of the appeal is that these artists are, in turn, thankful for the support that they get, as they try and put a dent in the music industry, especially with what its pop component has become. Both of these bands have members between the ages of 14 and 20---an age that most kids these days are more interested in hip-hop and sparse pop--- and have not touched any drum machines, auto-tuned vocals and have a rich production method, a DIY, if you will. It's also important that when bands like these do gigs, be it a local fair, event, or concert hall, that they be supported. Too often, when artists and bands are hired to play these events, they just seem to be a backdrop from the events going on, and the people just casually listen to the band as they are visiting booths and such. The bands and singers also, unfortunately seem to be restricted to playing cover songs. Please give these artists your support. Maybe they'll make it big, maybe they won't, but backing them goes a long long way. A little more on that later.
Of course, there are many other artists out there aside from the ones above. Hopefully I will try and talk about those in future blogs. Coming out of Jersey City for example, is a scene that is developing thanks to Nick Ciavatta's Friggin' Fabulous Productions, that had an article in NJ.com a couple months back. I've mentioned in prior blogs about his online shows he presents each week. And let's hope that this summer, he is able to do a live, in-person show as well. And that's just New Jersey...scenes are going on all over the country as well as overseas, too.
And of course, I also wish to add artists that have had success on the Alternative and Triple-A charts, as upcoming songs to be added include Dua Lipa, Evanescance, Leon Bridges, Sleater-Kinney, Vance Joy, Saint Motel, Sharon Van Etten and many others. To mix these mostly established artists with the newcomers makes for a complete, well rounded playlist.
SCREENAGE RAMPAGE: For the third week in a row, ScreenAge has the top two songs, as "Think Again" and "North Star" remain one-two on the playlist. It's the second week at the top for "Think Again". I forgot to mention last week that ScreenAge joined The Revivalists as the only acts to succeed themselves at the top of my SNS 100. The Weeknd's "Save Your Tears" remains at #3, as does Pageants "All Bets Aside" at #4. Valerie June's soulful "Call Me A Fool" moves up to #5. The Black Keys' awesome "Crawling Kingsnake" moves 13-8. Oneiric's "Golden Cage" is the lone new entry in the top 20.
DEBUTS: Not one, but two new ScreenAge songs enter the list, including the Top Debut for the exciting "Going Back" at #48. Also entering, at #60, is "Questions". Sandwiched in between is Anna Lavigne's follow-up to her #1 "Every Kind of Garden", "Dare to Dream", coming in at #54. That song, also from her album Angels in Sandshoes, is a change-of-page from the prior song of sorts. It starts out with sort of a western feel to it, but it become apparent there are also traces to 1960's era Rolling Stones and The Kinks, no doubt due to Martin Stephenson's excellent production. The album as a whole is awesome, but the tracks on it are individually good as well. I almost added "Seashore Roses" what with summer coming, but that nice, laid back, "Girl From Ipanema" sound will probably get an add next week.
Speaking of western-flavored songs, the new Pageants' song is "Just Tell Me", whose video is set in the desert. While it has a bit of country flair, it pretty much is taken over by Rebecca Coleman's awesome voice and stays mostly in the alternative lane. However, it is a departure from the duo's other two songs on the list this week. Ms. Coleman's voice is much stronger here and she sings with a welcome emotion. Another winner here.
Another summer entry, this one by the aptly named Surfer Blood, "Summer Trope" is next. This was actually released last summer, but I was busy listening to the #1 "Karen" and top 10 follow-up "Parkland" and waited for those songs to run its course. Unlike those proto-punk, power poppish songs, this one is more emotional and mid-tempo. It has sort of an 80's-vibe to it (think Howard Jones), plus some 60's overtones to it. Different enough for a third straight blog hit.
Next is Molly Burch's "Heart of Gold". Not the Neil Young song, the song actually echoes some of Pageants' work, but it's mostly all Molly. And if anyone still pigeonholes Ms. Burch as a "lounge singer", her last three releases have changed that perception. Not that this song is hard rocking or anything like that; this release stays in her lane and still shows a bit of the loungy feeling, albeit up-tempo.
Remember Jack Penate? The British singer had one of my first blog hits with "Be the One", which reached #2 back in 2010 as well as the #11 follow-up "Pulling My Heart Away". While Googling him to see what ever became of him, it turned out he released his first album in TEN years, Everything is New. from 2019 A couple of singles were released, and I, two years later, added "Prayer" this week. It's sort of a dark, techno thing that is reminiscent of Madonna's pulsating "Bedtime Story". It could surprise.
Beebadoobee follows up "Charlie Brown" with "Last Day on Earth". It has an early 1990's pre-grunge alternative vibe to it. The Filipino-British singer certainly seems to be having a good time on this one. Finally, the last add is a song that was released in 2015, but for some reason I've seen this get more recent airplay. Aurora had made my list once in 2016 with the #78 peaking "Conqueror". This song, "Runaway" predates it. The Norwegian-born singer comes across as a cross between Enya and Bjork. A nice-sounding song that is getting overdue notice.
GIGS: I mentioned above to support those fledging bands trying to make a mark on the world. Jersey-based The Outcrops, who I've seen twice, and who are climbing the playlist with "Peace Of Mind" have an extensive schedule coming up. They include both places where I've seen them before: The Czig Meister brewery in Hackettstown this Saturday, June 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, and at Riley and Jake's in Clinton NJ on Sunday June 13 during the afternoon. For you Jersey Shore-goers, they will be playing at The Parker House in Sea Girt over the summer.
Also this weekend, on Sunday, Gia Ness, still climbing towards the top 10 with "Love Song" will be playing at the Open Air Market in New Paltz New York beginning at Noon.
Turning to my hometown of Roselle Park, it appears that, after a year's absence, the Roselle Park Loves Arts festival will make a return. In 2019, ScreenAge was one of the bands that were featured. The festival will be held on September 25. There is a planning meeting on Wednesday June 16. The event, which includes all kinds of arts, will no doubt have music involved. If you're interested in helping out with the planning, you can check out the "RP Loves Arts" Facebook page.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
June 6, 2021
|
This Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: DNR (2 weeks at #1) |
5 |
|
2 |
2 |
8 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
17 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
8 |
|
|
5 |
7 |
12 |
|
|
6 |
5 |
13 |
|
|
7 |
6 |
14 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
6 |
|
|
9 |
13 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
8 |
13 |
|
|
11 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
12 |
14 |
12 |
|
|
13 |
16 |
6 |
|
|
14 |
17 |
10 |
|
|
15 |
18 |
6 |
|
|
16 |
19 |
6 |
|
|
17 |
20 |
9 |
|
|
18 |
11 |
10 |
|
|
19 |
23 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
5 |
|
20 |
9 |
Elle King and Miranda Lambert - Drunk (And I Don'tWant to Go
Home) |
10 |
|
21 |
24 |
10 |
|
|
22 |
15 |
14 |
|
|
23 |
25 |
9 |
|
|
24 |
37 |
3 |
|
|
25 |
30 |
8 |
|
|
26 |
29 |
5 |
|
|
27 |
33 |
5 |
|
|
28 |
26 |
9 |
|
|
29 |
27 |
6 |
|
|
30 |
31 |
10 |
|
|
31 |
32 |
8 |
|
|
32 |
21 |
12 |
|
|
33 |
42 |
4 |
|
|
34 |
47 |
4 |
|
|
35 |
44 |
4 |
|
|
36 |
50 |
3 |
|
|
37 |
22 |
11 |
|
|
38 |
35 |
8 |
|
|
39 |
41 |
6 |
|
|
40 |
52 |
4 |
|
|
41 |
43 |
7 |
|
|
42 |
28 |
13 |
|
|
43 |
34 |
15 |
|
|
44 |
49 |
15 |
|
|
45 |
40 |
22 |
|
|
46 |
57 |
3 |
|
|
47 |
39 |
19 |
|
|
48 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: DNR |
1 |
|
49 |
48 |
22 |
|
|
50 |
51 |
Black Coffee ft. Maxine Ashley and Sun El Musician - You Need Me |
17 |
|
51 |
36 |
15 |
|
|
52 |
58 |
7 |
|
|
53 |
71 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: The Golden Casket |
2 |
|
54 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
55 |
46 |
16 |
|
|
56 |
59 |
11 |
|
|
57 |
38 |
14 |
|
|
58 |
56 |
9 |
|
|
59 |
62 |
4 |
|
|
60 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
61 |
60 |
5 |
|
|
62 |
45 |
12 |
|
|
63 |
55 |
28 |
|
|
64 |
64 |
5 |
|
|
65 |
75 |
2 |
|
|
66 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
67 |
65 |
9 |
|
|
68 |
63 |
10 |
|
|
69 |
69 |
4 |
|
|
70 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
71 |
61 |
22 |
|
|
72 |
53 |
16 |
|
|
73 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
74 |
74 |
3 |
|
|
75 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
76 |
54 |
11 |
|
|
77 |
67 |
10 |
|
|
78 |
68 |
11 |
|
|
79 |
80 |
3 |
|
|
80 |
78 |
4 |
|
|
81 |
85 |
2 |
|
|
82 |
84 |
2 |
|
|
83 |
88 |
2 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
87 |
3 |
|
|
87 |
83 |
3 |
|
|
88 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
89 |
66 |
19 |
|
|
90 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
91 |
70 |
18 |
|
|
92 |
96 |
4 |
|
|
93 |
79 |
20 |
|
|
94 |
72 |
17 |
|
|
95 |
77 |
19 |
|
|
96 |
81 |
21 |
|
|
97 |
73 |
13 |
|
|
98 |
82 |
20 |
|
|
99 |
97 |
17 |
|
|
100 |
86 |
14 |
|
|
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.
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