I WRITE THIS BLOG every week for reasons plain and simple. I love music. And as it's been pointed out to me recently, I am into many forms of it. In this day and age of social media, finding out new music and artists on the radio has pretty much gone out the door, and doing your own research in various forms in digging deep into the Internet can yield you so much benefits in discovering bands and artists.
Last Sunday, July 11, I had made a day out of heading down to Central Jersey (or "South Jersey" for those who don't believe there is a "Central" part of the state. While part of the mission is to do my usual geocaching (someday I'll explain that hobby), the ultimate destination was to catch up-and-coming quartet ScreenAge, who were playing their first gig in two years, at an establishment called Woody's Roadside Tavern in Farmingdale. It probably shouldn't surprise me, but the band put on an awesome show, and once and for all, proved that their talent transcends the recording studio.
 |
| ScreenAge performing at Woody's Roadside Tavern on July 11. |
While the band, consisting of members from Edison, Freehold and Milltown wasn't the main attraction of the outside show that afternoon (a cover band played much of the afternoon, yielding to the Screeners for about 45 minutes), it was these four talents I came to see. While the other band was playing I could see ScreenAge at a picnic table off to the side taking it all in, and getting ready. And around 4:15 or so, there they were, playing a mix of covers and originals, most of them from their new, second album DNR. These songs included "Think Again", "Going Back" (both #1 blog songs), and "Like Fine Wine". The band had played a song from their first album, Station 42, as well as covers, including the rollicking encore "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", with Emily MacMahon pounding out the keys.
After their set, I went over and introduced myself. Even though I met them personally for the first time, they knew who I was without introduction. They thanked me for featuring them constantly on my blog. Aside from Emily, who is the lead singer and plays guitar and keyboards, I got to meet Alex D'Amico (Guitar, Backup Vocals), Sam Novotny (drums, synthesizers, sax) and Joey Banwer (Bass, backup vocals). In addition, I met Emily's mom Rowena, as well as Sam's mom Ann, who is also the band's manager.
In reality, the thanks have to go with the band and all those concerned. It is they who make the music, and the professionalism and talent that these four musicians have acquired and have been blessed with, at such a young age, has made me happy to have written about them so frequently over the past year. Their transition from a raw form of indie rock to a more polished mix of indie and alternative, and very well-oiled construction is right up my alley.
The Woody's gig is the first of many planned appearances this summer into the fall. Their next performance is in Highlands, at the Chubby Pickle on July 23; Milltown's Friday night series of concerts on August 6, and of course, at Roselle Park's Arts Festival on September 25.
Here is wishing ScreenAge the best of luck on their future endeavors. I look forward to following their progress.
'GOING BACK' TO THE TOP: It's yet another number one song for the Screeners as "Going Back" hits the #1 position, forcing out Middle Kids' "Questions" to #2. That makes it the third straight song from their DNR album to hit the top, a feat accomplished previously by Adele, The Revivalists and twice by Fitz and the Tantrums. Counting last year's single "Blue Eyed Addiction", that makes four in a row on my blog list; only Fitz and the Tantrums had a biggest streak (six, two from More Than Just a Dream and four from their eponymous third album). With their own "Questions" moving up 5-4, they have a shot at yet another blog topper. And finally, for the second week in a row, the band has three songs in the Top Five. The sky is the limit for this band.
WOMEN RULE: Females and female-led bands dominate the top ten, with 8 of the 10, including the top six, listed on the SNS 100. "Going Back" marks the ninth straight week that a female led band has led the list. Aside from ScreenAge's Emily MacMahon, Middle Kids' Hanna Joy at #2, Pageants' Rebecca Coleman (#8) join solo artists Bebe Rexha (#3), Anna Lavigne (#6) and Dua Lipa (#10) in the upper echelon. In addition, The Impact Award goes to beach music singer Deb Browning ("Stop Messin' With My Man", 26-18), and the Mover of the Week (for the second week in a row) is Christina Taylor's "I Got That From You" (42-27).
THE MEN FIGHT BACK: However the males aren't backing down at all. Instrumentalist David F. Porfirio grabs his fourth top 10 in less than a year as "Day at the Beach" climbs 12-9, and Ian Roberts impresses with "So Fine Summertime" (19-13) as well as his band Tinkers Lane ("I Do Love You", (16-14). Surfer Blood gets its third straight top 20 as "Summer Trope" moves 23-19.
 |
| Ed Sheeran with a bizarre look on the video of his new, change-of-pace single "Bad Habits", this week's Top Debut. |
DEBUTS: All the debuts happen to be male as well, headed by the latest from Ed Sheeran, "Bad Habits". My first reaction to this Top Debut (at #66) is "WTF IS THIS?" Is this the same Ed Sheeran who was responsible for three of my favorite songs of the past decade, two of which, "Thinking Out Loud" and "Shape of You", topped my year end lists (only one of four artists to do that), and another, "Perfect", a song that my wife and I have embraced as "our song"; all three were blog #1's )? Since the latter song topped both Billboard and my weekly charts, it seems that Sheeran has gone into the realm of hip-hop with his recent duets album.
His last single, "Afterglow" which reached #36 here and #29 on the Hot 100, was sort of an acoustic, back-to-basics entry. However, "Bad Habits" pretty much breaks the mold, not just with this type of music, but his appearance in the video. As mentioned in the last paragraph, I was wondering what the heck this was, but after several seconds, turns out I love this song. Yes, its a bit auto-tuned and Ed looks like Beetlejuice with the dark markings around his eyes, but the song is a combination of pop and EDM heaven, and he sings soulfully, in keeping with latest efforts by fellow pop artists Dua Lipa and Bebe Rexha.
The public seems to agree; the song debuts at #5 on Billboard's Hot 100, his best showing since 2019's duet with Justin Bieber, "I Don't Care" which hit #2 on that chart, and #23 on my blog. Sheeran should be commended for trying something new; many an artist has been pigeonholed in the past for milking a successful formula into the ground. And while I won't be slow dancing to "Bad Habits" anytime soon, I will be happy to listen and groove to the song. Nice work.
 |
| New Jersey artist King Tappa debuts with "Lost in Thoughts", based on a poem he wrote twenty years ago. |
Next up is the latest by Irvington, NJ-based reggae artist King Tappa, following up his #7 blog hit "Drama" from last year with "Lost In Thoughts". It's another solid effort in the reggae lane, with the lyrics taken from a poem that came out about twenty years ago called "Reminiscing", with thoughts about being lost in the past, present and future. He turned the poem into a song and added some more lyrics to it. While the prior single was more social comment, "Lost in Thoughts" is about being in touch with one's self. Another hit for the world-renowned artist (and former co-worker) who debuted with 2007's "Take Your Time". It enters at #81.
Jon Batiste is a unique artist, and he follows is #26 "I Need You" with another rather quirky, but very R&B-oriented romp, "Freedom", which enters at #82. It's an awesome mix of southern New Orleans-style of funk and soul. This urban-sounding song would feel right at home around 1970. A nice summer sound you can really get into. Make it two in a row for the artist who also is music director and bandleader for CBS' Late Show.
Next is the latest from Sloan Struble, aka Dayglow, with "Medicine". It's a bouncy, syncopated pop gem that echoes that type of music from 1970's and 1980's. It's rather infectious and should top the recent the recent "Close to You". It's a #85 debut. That is followed by the latest from Twenty One Pilots' follow-up to "Shy Away". It's sort of consistent to what this duo has been putting out lately. I am glad that they are moving away from the hip-hoppish sound from a few years ago and are fully in the alternative lane, a radio format which has consistently supported them. It's at #86. Next is a Jersey act from the Jersey City music scene, BreakTime, with "Rock N' Roll Refugee". While I'm not sure if this is a cover or not, this is an excellent rockabilly song and should garner some notice out of that scene, joining last week's Chrissy Roberts add.
Rounding out the debuts are two country songs. Zac Brown Band's latest, "Same Boat". Perhaps in response to the still-apparent COVID-19 pandemic, it's another reminder that we're all together in this. As for the other debut, it's former nu-metal band Staind front man Aaron Lewis, in a country direction these days with a patriotic song (or a hate song, depending on where you stand), "Am I the Only One". Let the discussion begin.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
July 11, 2021
|
This Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
2 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: DNR |
6 |
|
2 |
1 |
8 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
11 |
|
|
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
5 |
4 |
10 |
|
|
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
7 |
8 |
7 |
|
|
8 |
11 |
6 |
|
|
9 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
10 |
13 |
5 |
|
|
11 |
7 |
12 |
|
|
12 |
14 |
8 |
|
|
13 |
19 |
7 |
|
|
14 |
16 |
9 |
|
|
15 |
10 |
11 |
|
|
16 |
17 |
10 |
|
|
17 |
18 |
9 |
|
|
18 |
26 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
7 |
|
19 |
23 |
6 |
|
|
20 |
15 |
15 |
|
|
21 |
9 |
14 |
|
|
22 |
25 |
5 |
|
|
23 |
22 |
9 |
|
|
24 |
29 |
6 |
|
|
25 |
21 |
19 |
|
|
26 |
30 |
8 |
|
|
27 |
42 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
3 |
|
28 |
44 |
3 |
|
|
29 |
20 |
10 |
|
|
30 |
24 |
15 |
|
|
31 |
27 |
13 |
|
|
32 |
32 |
11 |
|
|
33 |
34 |
11 |
|
|
34 |
28 |
17 |
|
|
35 |
35 |
22 |
|
|
36 |
33 |
18 |
|
|
37 |
40 |
9 |
|
|
38 |
45 |
4 |
|
|
39 |
31 |
11 |
|
|
40 |
46 |
4 |
|
|
41 |
38 |
17 |
|
|
42 |
37 |
17 |
|
|
43 |
36 |
13 |
|
|
44 |
48 |
6 |
|
|
45 |
39 |
13 |
|
|
46 |
41 |
18 |
|
|
47 |
50 |
7 |
|
|
48 |
51 |
8 |
|
|
49 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
50 |
43 |
10 |
|
|
51 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
52 |
49 |
13 |
|
|
53 |
63 |
3 |
|
|
54 |
62 |
4 |
|
|
55 |
72 |
2 |
|
|
56 |
81 |
2 |
|
|
57 |
58 |
4 |
|
|
58 |
77 |
2 |
|
|
59 |
66 |
3 |
|
|
60 |
67 |
4 |
|
|
61 |
65 |
3 |
|
|
62 |
47 |
14 |
|
|
63 |
61 |
5 |
|
|
64 |
60 |
9 |
|
|
65 |
64 |
5 |
|
|
66 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  (Single Only) |
1 |
|
67 |
53 |
16 |
|
|
68 |
89 |
2 |
|
|
69 |
70 |
Rave Republic X Kevin Krissen and Fablers ft Matt Weiss - Can I
Be the One |
4 |
|
70 |
54 |
19 |
|
|
71 |
57 |
Elle King and Miranda Lambert - Drunk (And I Don'tWant to Go
Home) |
15 |
|
72 |
75 |
2 |
|
|
73 |
69 |
Black Coffee ft. Maxine Ashley and Sun El Musician - You Need Me |
22 |
|
74 |
83 |
2 |
|
|
75 |
56 |
15 |
|
|
76 |
59 |
12 |
|
|
77 |
80 |
5 |
|
|
78 |
87 |
2 |
|
|
79 |
82 |
22 |
|
|
80 |
86 |
3 |
|
|
81 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
82 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
83 |
68 |
14 |
|
|
84 |
88 |
4 |
|
|
85 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
86 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
87 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
88 |
71 |
7 |
|
|
89 |
94 |
4 |
|
|
90 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
91 |
98 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
73 |
7 |
|
|
93 |
76 |
8 |
|
|
94 |
78 |
11 |
|
|
95 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
96 |
79 |
6 |
|
|
97 |
92 |
27 |
|
|
98 |
74 |
10 |
|
|
99 |
85 |
20 |
|
|
100 |
91 |
27 |
Tremors:
101. Morgan Wallen, "Sand in My Boots"
|
|
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment