Saturday, April 27, 2024

RRHOF Announces Inductees; Hozier Takes Billboard #1 (SNS week of 4/21/2024)

 WELL THIS PAST WEEK, we got the 2024 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  As usual, there are the usual debates, gripes about what constitutes "rock and roll", and....well who really cares.    I've pretty much lost all logic as to criteria as to who gets in and who doesn't.


Foreigner, whose first, self-titled album was released in 1977, are one of the 2024 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame


I think what I will do here is take the list of nominees that I published in February and highlight who got in, and who was snubbed.  

First, there were the actual nominee list that came out in February, with the actual inductees in bold:  

  • Mary J. Blige
  • Mariah Carey
  • Cher
  • Dave Matthews Band
  • Eric B. & Rakim
  • Foreigner
  • Peter Frampton
  • Jane's Addiction
  • Kool & the Gang
  • Lenny Kravitz
  • Oasis
  • Sinéad O'Connor
  • Ozzy Osbourne
  • Sade
  • A Tribe Called Quest

I will first start off saying that Foreigner, and Peter Frampton are definitely deserving; in actuality, they should have gotten in decades ago.  They are rock and roll and fully embody the spirit of the genre.    I will also say the same for Kool and the Gang; funk is in part a derivative of rock, and they were one of the pioneers.    You could make a case for The Dave Matthews Band, and Ozzy Osbourne, with the former leading the jam-band parade in the 1990's and Ozzy a groundbreaker in the metal field; he gets his second induction; he was already in as a member of Black Sabbath.   

As for A Tribe Called Quest, I am going to avoid the "are they rock" (clearly, they are not), but I had heard that this hip-hop group does things their own way, "which embodies the spirit of rock".   So, Okay, they get a pass.

Then there's Cher.    Whether she got in on her own merits or because she raised a tirade a few months back on the Kelly Clarkson Show about not even being nominated and would outrageously refuse if she did get in, she is officially in.   I haven't been able to read any articles about her actual reaction to her induction.    Then again, Cher is apparently notorious for saying things and not following through (like she did when she threatened to leave the country if a certain person got elected, etc).    But having said that, I read many of the Facebook comments about Cher not being rock and all the usual stuff.  As I explained when the nominations came out, Cher's music has transcended many genres; from the 1960's pop of Sonny & Cher to her 1970's pop and disco songs, plus her album with Gregg Allman, and her involvement with Black Rose.    Yes, there was "Believe", auto-tuned and all in the EDM genre, but what about her late 1980's comeback hits?    That was clearly rock, or at least pop-rock.     Just because she did other genres doesn't take away from her accomplishments in the rock field.

That leaves the one that leaves me scratching my head.  Mary J. Blige?   Really?   A friend responded to my prior blog, providing me with a song that shows her rock sensibility.   Okay, yes, but I don't think one song, an obscure one at that is enough to get her in.    If we are trying to be diverse here, I can think of a couple female artists of color that are more deserving, such as Tracy Chapman, or how about Joan Armatrading?  That's one name that never comes up, and she's been around forever, and has been nominated for Grammy Awards three times.

As for the "snubs", I totally agree with Mariah Carey and Oasis.    I don't really know Eric B and Rakim, but to me, Lenny Kravitz and Sinead O'Connor should have definitely gotten in.  Sade's omission is another head scratcher.    

And now, we come to the "Musical Excellence Award", where those were weren't nominated this year (but have been in the recent years) get in:  That includes Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield.    I have said this in years past, but why do these artists get in for musical excellence and not as an outright inductee?     Jimmy Buffett and MC5 should have been in as a regular member of the Hall.   Is this some sort of a "consolation prize"?    Why aren't they good enough for a regular award?   Would they still have a shot at being an inductee in the future?.     I love Dionne Warwick, but again, she isn't rock, she has some gems of songs over the years, but she belongs in some sort of "Adult Contemporary Hall of Fame".   

I believe this "Excellence" award was formerly the "Sidemen Award".  I don't see how the above would be "sideman" (or "-women"), but actually, Norman Whitfield is perfect for this.  If you don't know who he is, he was a producer for several Motown acts in the 1960's and 70's, most notably The Temptations.   He produced most of their hits and transformed them from a soul vocal group into what was known as "psychedelic soul", with songs like "Cloud Nine", "Ball of Confusion", "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"", and others.   "Smiling Faces Sometimes", a hit for Undisputed Truth was also a Whitfield production   He was also a proponent of some disco era songs as well, involving Undisputed Truth and others as well.     Much of the instrumentation of these songs was orchestrated via Whitfield.     

I've said this before, but this whole Hall of Fame thing is just fun to talk about, but it doesn't diminish the perception, talents and reputation of those who don't get in.    If you love and follow an artist, that's all that matters, then they're in YOUR Hall of Fame.


HOT 100:  Glad to see Hozier's "Too Sweet" make it to the top spot.  It's a very good song, and it's a surprise to see it stay in the top five.    With Bension Boone at #3, Teddy Swims at #4, and yes, even Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em" at #5, it's great to see a diversity in song styles this high up on the chart.    It's Hozier's first #1 on the Hot 100, besting the #2 peak of "Take Me To Church" over nine years ago.    Maybe this can spark a trend.   On the Scenes 'n' Soundwaves 100, the song grabs Impact honors, moving 33-16 and advancing on various airplay tallies as well.     

While all the songs I listed will most likely be wiped out because of the new, surprise Taylor Swift double album that came out this past week, that most likely will dominate the whole top 10 (or even top 20), hopefully in a few weeks, these can all come back to the top---along with perhaps some new, deserving music.    We shall see.

SNS 100:  Starbuck holds at #1 for a second week with "Spring Break Shake", but there are many contenders in positions 2 through 6.   Deb Browning's take on "Put Your Hand in the Hand" advances 4-2, while her duet with Marlisa Kay Small, "Sunshine and Summertime" leaps 15-5. Also strong is Sadie Leigh's "Finger Wave" (6-3), Jalen Ngonda's "If You Don't Want My Love" (8-4), and "I Thought You Knew" by The Six Piece Suits (7-6).    Rivermist's "Everything's Change" returns to the top 10 after a few weeks away from it (12-10).   

In the second ten, there are no new entries aside from Hozier, but movers include Anna Lavigne's "Butterfly" (18-12), SZA's "Saturn" (20-14), which incidentally is back on the Hot 100 top ten this week; and Jaime Wyatt's "Feel Good" (21-18).   

last week's Top Debut, Juliet Callahan's "Don't Phase Me" is this week's Mover (60-36), and The Mac Daddy's Band's "Flip Flops and Margaritas" rises 83-56.

DEBUTS:  Eight new songs, led by the latest by The Black Keys, "On the Game", following up the top 3 "Beautiful People (Stay High)".  It's a little change of pace for the duo; it's a slower tempo with more of a melodic take and sort of a power ballad status with even hints of a slow Electric Light Orchestra feel, or even latter-day Beatles flair to it.   Different enough for another shot at the top.

Although Kasey Musgraves had a great run on the Hot 100 top ten with her duet with Zach Bryan, and a solo chart entry with "Deeper Well", her new entry, "Cardinal" is an awesome singer-songwriter vibe, similar to that which propelled her to the blog top 5 with "Justified" in early 2022.     This song, moving up the Triple-A airplay chart should put her back there, and is definitely in my wheelhouse.   

The Driver Era topped the SNS 100 in 2019 with "Low", and they return with "Get Off My Phone", a slice of alternative pop/rock and changes tempo frequently and does it with emotion.    It took a few listens to get into it, but it should top last year's "Malibu".

Both of the Internet bands----Einsteins Dad and Orbis Max, enter the chart this week.    Einsteins Dad follows up the Top 20 "Rolling Indie" with "To the Moon".   Core members Steve Shouse, Mario Licata and Richard Bradley return, with Daniele Silvestri coming back to the fold on drums.    Taking over the vocals is Seth Storer.  His gravelly voice is distinctive and reminds me a bit of Crash Test Dummies or perhaps a bit of Eddie Vedder.    A bit different from past chart entries should put them back in the upper reaches of the chart.   Meanwhile, Orbis Max, already with two entries on the list, once again join forces with Tim Izzard with "You Know What You're Doing".    The two entities are coming off their top 10 "Here and Now".    The song continues Orbis' Jersey Shore sound, and it appears that both Izzard and Dw Dunphy are sharing vocals here.   Tim really adapts to the musical style here; any doubt that his talents are limited to neo-glam should definitely be put to rest once and for all here.

Also added are "New Lattitude" by Calypso Joe and the Coconuts, which has that beach music/tropical vibe mix going on (it's on some beach charts and was definitely influenced by Jimmy Buffett.   A perfect summer song.    I'm starting to follow some national indie charts and noticed that "Op Operater" by The Shang Hi Los topped that list a few weeks back.  The song has that retro punk/new wave thing going on that gets stronger with each listen.   Very melodic and gutsy as well.   Finally, we have "Everything We Lost in the Fire" by Blue October which should attract some spins with sort of a post-grunge sound.

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

April 21, 2024




This Week

Last Week

ARTIST-Title

Weeks on List

1

1

NUMBER ONE:


STARBUCK

Spring Break Shake"

(Single Release)

(2 Weeks at #1)

8

2

4

Deb Browning - Put Your Hand in the Hand

5

3

6

Sadie Leigh - Finger Wave

9

4

8

Jalen Ngonda - If You Don't Want My Love

8

5

15

Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay Small -Sunshine and Summertime

3

6

7

The Six Piece Suits - I Thought You Knew

9

7

2

Charlotte Sessions - I've Fallen For A Dragon²

12

8

9

Beyonce - Texas Hold Em

9

9

3

Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill

12

10

12

Rivermist - Everything's Changed

16

11

10

Black Pumas - Sauvignon

17

12

18

Anna Lavigne - Butterfly

6

13

16

Vacations - Next Exit

11

14

20

SZA - Saturn

7

15

5

Teddy Swims - Lose Control

14

16

33

TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:


HOZIER

"Too Sweet"

Album: Unheard (EP)

3

17

14

Rick Strickland - Joined At the Heart

13

18

21

Jaime Wyatt - Feel Good

9

19

11

Juliet Callahan - She Was Me

11

20

13

Karen Clayton and Mike Taylor - I'm Your Puppet

12

21

23

The Decemberists - Burial Ground

7

22

24

Royel Otis - Murder on the Dance Floor

6

23

17

Suki Waterhouse - OMG

10

24

28

Mumford and Sons ft Pharrell Williams - Good People

8

25

19

Nadia Shutkufski - Top Down

10

26

27

Say Sue Me - 4 AM

7

27

36

Eavesdrop - Honest

4

28

26

Orbis Max - Something About You

8

29

29

The Castaways - Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me

8

30

25

Billy Joel - Turn the Lights Back On

11

31

22

The Black Keys - Beautiful People (Stay High)

13

32

32

Portugal. The Man - Grim Generation

7

33

35

Sheryl Crow - Alarm Clock

13

34

43

Sylvia Johns Ritchie - Good Love Don't Come Easy

4

35

37

Knox - Not the 1975

7

36

60

MOVER OF THE WEEK:


JULIET CALLAHAN

"Don't Phase Me"

(Single Release)

2

37

40

Benson Boone - Beautiful Things

10

38

41

Rivermist -Don't Walk Away

6

39

39

Winnetka Bowling League  - Sha-La-La

8

40

42

Paramore - Burning Down the House

7

41

31

Varsity - Runaway

20

42

48

Orbis Max - Not This Time

5

43

30

Rev. Bubba D. Liverance and the Cornhole Prophets - Something In the Water

14

44

52

X Ambassadors - No Strings

6

45

34

Molly Lewis and Thee Sacred Souls - Crushed Velvet

11

46

38

Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - Sitting In the Park

23

47

53

Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - It's Over

7

48

46

Love Fame Tragedy - Don't You Want To

11

49

56

Girls Who Care - You'll Never Know That

6

50

59

Debbie Gibson - Love Don't Care

5

51

58

Lucius - Stranger Danger

6

52

45

Richard Swift - Would You

20

53

49

Deb Browning - Chain Breaker

8

54

51

Thee Sacred Souls - Easier Said Than Done

21

55

54

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton - Purple Irises

5

56

83

The Mac Daddy's Band - Flip Flops and Margariotas

2

57

75

Bon Jovi - Legendary

2

58

67

Lainey Wilson - Country's Cool Again

4

59

68

Randy Clay Band - Party Street

4

60

44

Cayucas - Punch Bowl

10

61

69

The Rolling Stones - Mess It Up

3

62

70

Local Natives - April

3

63

--- 

TOP DEBUT: 


THE BLACK KEYS

"On the Game"

Album: Ohio Players

1

64

47

Carolina Blue Dots - Coolin' Out

14

65

50

Colorjoy - Cigarettes and Vanilla

15

66

55

Everybody Loves An Outlaw - I See Red

24

67

81

Jade Bird - Burn The Hard Drive

2

68

72

Catfish and the Bottlemen - Showtime

3

69

74

Green Day - Dilemma

9

70

62

David F. Porfirio - Ninja Assasins

7

71

86

Zac Brown Band - Tie Up

2

72

65

Charlotte Sessions - Should I Be The Man

29

73

 ---

Kasey Musgraves - Cardinal

1

74

57

Anna Lavigne - Edge of the World

18

75

--- 

The Driver Era - Get Off My Phone

1

76

--- 

Einsteins Dad - To The Moon

1

77

66

Foo Fighters - The Glass

11

78

61

Gary Alexander - There's Always Beach Music

20

79

90

Guster - Keep Going

2

80

--- 

Orbis Max and Tim Izzard - You Know What You're Doing

1

81

--- 

Shang Hi Los - Op-Operator

1

82

 ---

Calypso Joe and the Coconuts - New Lattitude

1

83

64

Cannons - Crush

8

84

89

Bleachers - Tiny Moves

5

85

71

Stephen Sanchez - High

9

86

92

Mt. Joy - Highway Queen

2

87

63

Starbuck - Coldest Night of the Year

14

88

80

HotWax - Phone Machine

5

89

--- 

Blue October - Everything We Lost In the Fire

1

90

82

Say She She - Never Say Never

11

91

91

Marlisa Kay Small - No Matter Where You Go

20

92

78

Real Estate - Water Underground

13

93

73

Kasey Musgraves -Deeper Well

4

94

97

The Tams - Our Love Will Grow

5

95

98

St. Vincent - Broken Man

2

96

84

Orbis Max with Tim Izzard - Here And Now

14

97

76

Sleater-Kinney - Hell

11

98

79

Dua Lipa - Training Season

6

99

77

M83 - Mirror

11

100

87

The Palms - Ready or Not

15




Murmurs:

 

Glass Animals - Creatures in Heaven

Arianna Grande - We Can't Be Friends

Phillip Phillips - Love Like That

Dua Lipa - Illusion

Eavesdrop - Only One

Lenny Kravitz - Human

Suki Waterhouse - My Fun

Rachel Platten - Girls


Murmurs: Songs which are in the queue for future adds onto the Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist.


 

 

 

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week Song garnered most plays on Spotify, for the  month, with a superscript following the symbol if most played for multiple months; or if a song was among the top 5 most plays for two months. Song among top 5 most plays on Spotify.  Awards given during the last blog of each month.  To qualify, the song must be currently or have peaked in the top 40.

 

Songs on the SNS 100 are included on the following public Spotify playlists

 

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves Top 40:  Contains songs in positions 1-40 on the SNS 100

Scenes Up and Coming:  Songs below #40 that are moving up the chart.

Scenes Recurrents: Songs which have dropped below the top 40 but are still on the SNS 100

 












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