An interesting array of music and controversy this week, but the headline belongs to Scottish singer Anna Lavigne, as she becomes only the third act in the almost eleven-and-a-half-year history of my blog to grab the top two spots on the SNS 100 playlist. "Dance the Last Goodbye", from Anna's debut set Angels in Sandshoes maintains the number one spot for the third week, while "This Time", from her new set Roses for the Ride, inches up to the runner-up spot.
 |
| Anna Lavigne (R), pictured here with Martin Stephenson, has the top two songs this week, as well as the top debut. |
Despite a few near misses over the years, domination of the top two positions didn't come until February 17, 2019, when The Revivalists grabbed the top two with "Change" and "You and I". Then last year, ScreenAge did it twice: First, on May 16, the quartet scored with "North Star" and "Think Again"; the next two weeks, the songs switched positions. Then, just two and a half months later, the Screeners did it again with two different songs: "Going Back" and "Questions", for two weeks, with the songs again switching positions the second week.
In addition to the top two, Anna scores the Top Debut at #54 with "Mind Blown", which I will talk about later. Meanwhile, Anna's partner, producer, co-songwriter and mentor, Martin Stephenson is doing well with his band The Daintees, with "Jarajuju Punks" (30-24). And while the two aren't related (or at least I think they're not), another Lavigne--Avril--moves 18-11 with "Bite Me".
Overall, the blog playlist is rather sluggish this week, with not much going on, I really haven't had the chance to listen extensively. Thus, there doesn't seem to be any serious challengers to the top spot in the foreseeable future, meaning Anna can stick around at the top with either song, unless Babeheaven or Kacey Musgraves, at 3 and 4 respective can make any charge. But with Babeheaven (as well as Tim Izzard at #8 and Donna Missal at #13), I have already added their next songs to my list. Foals, with an 26-18 jump for 28-16 to get Impact honors, and Lord Huron going from 46-26 with "Mine Forever", may be the next threat at the top portion, but is several weeks away at best.
With the decline of the holiday songs adding to the sluggishness, many songs lose their bullets but still gain eight, ten and even eleven positions. That benefits Nick Waterhouse, who goes from 25-15 with "Very Blue" for his 11th straight top 20.
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| Former ScreenAge members Emily MacMahon (L) and Sam Novotny comprise the new duo Colorjoy whose debut album drops this summer. |
THE JOY OF COLOR: Last week I had dropped a bomb that the hottest band on my blog the past couple of years, ScreenAge, has called it quits. That indeed has happened, but you will definitely not hear the end for some of its members. Two of them, lead singer, keyboardist and guitarist Emily MacMahon, and Sam Novotny on drums, bass, synthesizer, and back-up vocals, have formed a new outfit, Colorjoy. The duo has already written many songs and will release its debut album, Golden Age, this summer.
While I was a bit disappointed to learn that ScreenAge is no more, it's awesome to see that two of the members are embarking on this new project, and they have set many expectations for themselves. While early indications are that the music is similar to that of their prior band, it sounds like they are going in an alt-pop direction, one which was hinted at ScreenAge's DNR set last year. Like their prior band, they cite acts like Paramore, Hippo Campus, and even Harry Styles, whose hit "Watermelon Sugar" reached my top five last year.
This is a very talented outfit, and I of course will be following them every step of the way in their progress. This is an act that I really care about and have gotten to meet and know the members as well as their parents, who no doubt are proud of the musical path and goals they have set for themselves. To find out more about Colorjoy, check out their Facebook page, or their website, Colorjoy (colorjoyofficial.com).
NEW MUSIC: As mentioned above, Anna Lavigne blasts onto the playlist with "Mindblown", which is from her sophomore effort Roses for the Ride. This is a departure from the mostly folk-rockish album, as Ms. Lavigne encroaches psychedelic rock territory. When Anna posted a portion of the song a while back, I was, as the title indicates, blown away. Her voice is in fine form, and I sense even some Pink Floyd overtones in this one, and the guitar work is awesome. Each of Anna's six blog songs have tackled different styles. I see this one going to the top very shortly. WOW!
Next up is the latest from Tim Izzard, "Empty My Head", from his new EP, 21st Century Expose, as the British musician follows three straight top 10's from Starlight Rendevous. Tim had personally recommended this track to me, which leads off his new set. Izzard describes the set as "neo-glam", which perhaps is the perfect progression from his David Bowie-inspired predecessor. While the vocals are still similar, Izzard branches out. There are still those glam influences, as he mixes power pop with old-style new wave (think, perhaps, Elvis Costello, et al), with a bit of early 60's Brit pop thrown in for good measure. Obviously, Izzard knows my style of musical tastes as I can absolutely bop and groove along to this. This is a song which bridges several decades of influences. I will go out on a limb and stay this is a candidate for the top spot. Definitely worth checking out!
One of my "bands to watch" has been Babeheaven, coming off the #12 "Human Nature" and the current #3 "The Hours", comes right back with "Don't Wake Me", from the band's forthcoming sophomore effort, Home for Now. While "Make Me Wanna" is the designated single ("The Hours" is also on this set), I am first going with "Don't Wake Me", as it has a mid-tempo, shuffling, ambience-laded sound, which just gives off a great feeling. Digging lead singer Nancy Anderson's vocals on this one. Very dreamy.
Although the female-led act Lucius scored at #2 song with "Hey Doreen" which peaked at #2 in early 2015, as well as "Turn It Around" and "Neighbors" making my top 20, it seems that they're more known in recent years for being featured on other's recordings, such as Grace Potter, The War on Drugs, Nathaniel Rateliff and Black Pumas. It was refreshing to learn that they have just released a new song on their own, "Next to Normal". The Brooklyn-based band, which, aside from Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig who share lead vocals, also includes Dan Molad (drums) and Peter Lalish (guitar), and have released three albums thus far, with the fourth, Second Nature, due in April, their first in six years. "Next to Normal" puts the band in new territory, with the song heavily influenced by a disco beat, as evidenced by a persistent pulsating bass, courtesy of Ms. Wolfe, which refuses to let go. Definitely an interesting effort by the band.
Next is the latest from Donna Missal, "insecure", the third single from her so-to-be-released EP, In the Mirror, In the Light, due in a couple of weeks. This continues her new direction, almost into an avant-garde, sparse, pop formula. While not as terrible as "sex is good (but have your tried)" (sorry!), it's not as melodic as the current #13 "To Me Your Face is Love". While I preferred Ms. Missal's earlier, blues-oriented rock material, some of which made some noise, you can't really fault her for trying something new. Obviously, artists like Billie Eilish have had success with this formula, so you have to give Donna credit for going in this direction. As for "insecure", it will probably take a few listens, but I will give it a chance.
Swingadelic rounds out the debuts with "The Late Late Show". This is the retro-swing contingent that had appeared at Roselle Park's Arts Festiva and is led by alumnus Dave Post. I had added "Gonna Build Me a Playlist" as the first entry from an earlier album as one of his classmates posted the song to promote their appearance, and it hit #23 on my blog last fall; this time around, I pull the song from their most recent album, Bluesville. Definitely a great example of the jazz and swing genre to jitterbug to!
COVID CONTROVERSY: We are almost two years into the Coronavirus COVID-19, and probably the most foolish thought I ever had was, given the political division in our country, that this, a world-wide pandemic, would bring us all together. I couldn't be any more wrong. Arguments over the seemingly ever-changing guidance of Dr. Anthony Fauci of the CDC, and in particular the issue of vaccinations have continued the deep crevasse between those who devotedly believe in getting vaccinated versus the "anti-vaxxers". And one issue in particular during the past couple of days, involving two singer-songwriter legends, has only fueled the fire.
The latest issue centers on comedian, reality show host, actor and podcaster Joe Rogan, whose podcast Joe Rogan Experience is on the streaming service Spotify. Rogan has a wide variety of views, some liberal, some conservative, but is in particular vocal and critical of Dr. Fauci and his take on COVID-19 protocol.
Last September, Rogan, who contracted the virus, claimed, in a video, claiming that many alternative treatments, were effective against the virus. Two days later, Rogan tested negative. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience has been available on the streaming service Spotify, causing dissention among Rogan's critics. Earlier this month, scientists wrote to Spotify, claiming that Rogan's methods were unproven and totally false, and is grossly misleading the public. Some of Rogan's guest on the podcast added to the controversy, in particular, Dr. Robert Malone, who compared policies stemming from the pandemic to the holocaust.
Fast forward to this week, Neil Young had threatened to remove his music from Spotify, if the streaming service didn't remove Rogan's podcast from the platform. That would affect six million of the service's subscribers who follow the legendary singer's music, which is about half of those following Rogan's podcast. Another legend, Joni Mitchell today (January 29, as I write this) has also pulled her music from the service.
While I am not going to comment on any "validity" of Rogan's and his guests' remarks, nor criticize either Spotify, Young or Ms. Mitchell for their actions, what I am referring to is streaming services in general. Similar to cable television systems pulling channels due to issues regarding contract issues with networks, the bottom line is that the consumer suffers. While it is certainly the right to remove music (either by the artist or platform) because of issues like this, the music listeners suffer, regardless of who they agree with. It doesn't matter whose "side" you're on, if you're a fan of these artists, you don't have access to their music.
This is one of the main reasons why I don't stream. I don't want to be at the mercy of the protesting artists or big tech. And, while streaming is constantly promoted by the artists themselves, both aspiring and established, and is a good indicator on current activity (because each time a song gets played, it "officially counts"), the consumer gets punished by not having access to an artist or song. All the songs featured in this blog are paid for by myself, unless an artist has given me a complimentary/promotional copy or link, mostly by download, but also by CD, or even vinyl. Once you purchase a song or album, it's yours forever; with the drawback that no more sales information gets forwarded to the chart compilations.
LET'S GO BRANDON PART 3: And finally, we come to another controversy stemmed in part from the pandemic. A few months ago, I had told you about two songs that occupied the #1 and #2 positions on the iTunes chart, resulting in Adele's then-newly released "Easy on Me" confined to the #3 spot. The songs, one by Loza Alexander, and one by Bryson Gray, mostly hip-hoppish in nature and really a chant of sorts, also made the Billboard Hot 100 top 40.
Well, there's another one which has, this week, topped the iTunes chart. Unlike the other two, this artist is well known: Kid Rock. Last time we visited Kid Rock in my blog, he was on my playlist in 2019 with a cover of "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch", which scored on the beach music charts, and peaked here at #66. Well, I will tell you that this is no Motown cover. Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie has released "We the People". You can pretty much describe it as a cross between "Let's Go Brandon" which he chants numerous times (if you just joined the party, this is an attack on President Biden), and last year's "Am I the Only One" by Aaron Lewis, in that he attacks the "cancel culture", and liberal-oriented institutions. Along with the current president, he also viciously attacks Fauci and his policies. He also assails the celebrity gossip show TMZ, liberal news channel CNN, social media platforms Facebook and Twitter, among other things. It is profanity-laden, but at the end, he hopes that we can all come together as one (although I doubt that will happen, based on the lyrics).
As mentioned above, the song hit #1 on iTunes, and will no doubt find a place on the Hot 100, as the Lewis song and previous "LGB" songs did. Rock last made that chart in 2015 with "First Kiss" which landed there at #66, and #18 on my blog, his best showing here. The song, while it is rapped, it is also in the rock lane, akin to some of his earlier material circa 2000. Of course, the big question is, how long will it stay there? The other songs fell off the list two weeks later, so it'll be interesting to see what this one does.
AND FINISHING ON A HIGH NOTE: Two releases that I am looking forward to next week, both dropping on February 5: Winnetka Bowling League's "Fiimy", a duet with Demi Lovato, and the long-awaited (four years!) new single, "Oil and Water" from the awesome twin-sister duo Hegazy. Stay tuned!
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
January 23, 2022
|
This Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: Angels in Sandshoes (3 weeks at #1) |
12 |
|
2 |
3 |
9 |
|
|
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
|
4 |
6 |
9 |
|
|
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
|
6 |
4 |
14 |
|
|
7 |
9 |
14 |
|
|
8 |
10 |
9 |
|
|
9 |
11 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
15 |
9 |
|
|
11 |
18 |
6 |
|
|
12 |
13 |
10 |
|
|
13 |
20 |
8 |
|
|
14 |
8 |
25 |
|
|
15 |
25 |
9 |
|
|
16 |
28 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
8 |
|
17 |
12 |
12 |
|
|
18 |
14 |
12 |
|
|
19 |
24 |
10 |
|
|
20 |
27 |
8 |
|
|
21 |
19 |
17 |
|
|
22 |
17 |
15 |
|
|
23 |
22 |
15 |
|
|
24 |
30 |
8 |
|
|
25 |
16 |
16 |
|
|
26 |
46 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Long Lost |
6 |
|
27 |
35 |
Courtney Barnett - Write A Listing of Things to Look Forward To |
6 |
|
28 |
31 |
24 |
|
|
29 |
26 |
17 |
|
|
30 |
7 |
6 |
|
|
31 |
37 |
34 |
|
|
32 |
38 |
6 |
|
|
33 |
29 |
12 |
|
|
34 |
32 |
13 |
|
|
35 |
36 |
23 |
|
|
36 |
33 |
11 |
|
|
37 |
52 |
4 |
|
|
38 |
41 |
25 |
|
|
39 |
42 |
8 |
|
|
40 |
45 |
12 |
|
|
41 |
43 |
7 |
|
|
42 |
49 |
6 |
|
|
43 |
53 |
7 |
|
|
44 |
39 |
13 |
|
|
45 |
60 |
3 |
|
|
46 |
55 |
11 |
|
|
47 |
58 |
5 |
|
|
48 |
69 |
2 |
|
|
49 |
61 |
4 |
|
|
50 |
56 |
30 |
|
|
51 |
70 |
2 |
|
|
52 |
21 |
Christina Taylor, Haley Mae Campbell and Brenna Bone ft. Kaylee
Rose - Jingle Bell Rock |
6 |
|
53 |
79 |
2 |
|
|
54 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Roses for the Ride |
1 |
|
55 |
68 |
2 |
|
|
56 |
44 |
14 |
|
|
57 |
48 |
13 |
|
|
58 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
59 |
23 |
7 |
|
|
60 |
50 |
19 |
|
|
61 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
62 |
64 |
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats - Face Down in the Moment |
5 |
|
63 |
67 |
27 |
|
|
64 |
71 |
2 |
|
|
65 |
75 |
2 |
|
|
66 |
57 |
10 |
|
|
67 |
73 |
2 |
|
|
68 |
54 |
14 |
|
|
69 |
51 |
4 |
|
|
70 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
71 |
34 |
6 |
|
|
72 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
73 |
59 |
9 |
|
|
74 |
63 |
18 |
|
|
75 |
77 |
5 |
|
|
76 |
40 |
7 |
|
|
77 |
72 |
30 |
|
|
78 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
79 |
47 |
5 |
|
|
80 |
66 |
11 |
|
|
81 |
80 |
29 |
|
|
82 |
85 |
16 |
|
|
83 |
83 |
4 |
|
|
84 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
85 |
65 |
14 |
|
|
86 |
74 |
10 |
|
|
87 |
82 |
32 |
|
|
88 |
84 |
21 |
|
|
89 |
62 |
8 |
|
|
90 |
81 |
20 |
|
|
91 |
78 |
7 |
|
|
92 |
87 |
7 |
|
|
93 |
88 |
3 |
|
|
94 |
86 |
24 |
|
|
95 |
89 |
21 |
|
|
96 |
90 |
18 |
|
|
97 |
91 |
20 |
|
|
98 |
93 |
21 |
|
|
99 |
94 |
13 |
|
|
100 |
95 |
12 |
|
|
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.
|
|
Holiday Songs
What a total honour to be amidst such fine songwriters... humbled and delighted that you are enjoying my songs so much Rob. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you give to us all and for keeping the music flowing, bless you xx
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