I HAD A GOOD TOPIC to talk about this week, involving a response to my review of an artist's latest song from a couple weeks back. I had implied that this person, an excellent guitarist who has released very innovative music, was perhaps born in the wrong decade. I deduced this because thus far, none of his music has been played or charted anywhere, and his artistry was awesome enough that progressive rock stations would have been all over his material had it been released in the 1970's. Progressive FM radio, for example would have eaten it right up in my opinion.
This artist pretty much refuted my review, although I think it was more directed at the music industry in general rather than at my blog. I was going to dissect the post that he made on Facebook (he is a friend on that platform as well), but yesterday, he deleted his rant, only saying that he wasn't born in the wrong decade but thanking me nonetheless for the review.
But still, based on what he said, it's an appropriate overview on what's wrong with the music industry these days. This guitar virtuoso went on to explain that he wasn't going to "dumb down" his music just so teenagers can appreciate and listen to it.
Looking at this week's Billboard Hot 100's Top 10, it's the same songs as last week with a few different positions, including an 82nd week on the chart for "Lose Control". It's the same genres, too. I feel like a broken record (remember those?) but in this day and age, where making recordings is rather simple because of various apps, and you don't necessarily need record labels to put your music out there, enabling you to really do your own thing, that the same few songs get listened to over and over. In a perfect world, songs should just stay at the top for a few weeks, then get replaced by other worthy songs and artists.
It's pretty ironic, actually, because back in the day, when you did have good turnaround of songs on the charts, record labels would sort of "regulate" the product artists could produce. Songs that aren't "commercial enough" are often rejected by the label, or at least, regulated to an album, while the catchiest songs with commercial appeal, that have the ability to catch on and get radio airplay were pretty much the norm.
It's really a shame that with all the artists out there hoping to get their "big break" and be heard, that this seems like a dead end. This is particularly true with rock artists, whose genre these days doesn't exist unless the word "classic" is placed before it. Luckily there are plenty of Internet radio stations that play indie music and give many of these artists needed exposure,
So, while no artists are actually born in the "wrong decade", it's pretty much up to the open-minded listeners and fans to give them the needed exposure in the here and now, regardless of genre or subgenre because it sounds so much like this creativity in music has a hard time being heard. It's really why I started this blog in the first place.
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| Louisiana-based band Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers had their songs removed from various platforms, but there's a possible reason for it. |
AND SPEAKING OF INDIE ARTISTS, last week I mentioned that the band Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers, as well as its frontman, Seth Storer pulled all of its recent product from the music sites, including Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music & iTunes, and YouTube, especially since the band's recently released album was also removed. I had speculated that perhaps the band decided to pull the songs in protest to something, similar to what Neil Young did a couple years ago when Spotify had a controversial podcast on its app. It could also be some controversy similar to when the frontman of the indie band Avi Buffalo was accused of raping a female bandmate, causing their label, Sub Pop to pull the band's two albums for that label. In both cases, the artists' work is back, at least on Spotify, at last look, however the Ramblers and Storer's solo work is still not there; as hinted at last week, both of the Ramblers songs dropped off the SNS 100, including the current "Bender Coming On".
However, I did find a potential answer. The band hasn't posted anything since February 27 on their Facebook page, but a look at Storer's page shows a post about a new album, entitled Chapter I, with thirty songs on it. The tracks include all the pulled songs, including "Bender Coming On", which was rising after two weeks on my chart, as well as the recently blog top ten "Breakdown" and others.
But it raises a new question. Is this a Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers album, or a Seth Storer solo project? Did the band break up?. Are these songs the originals or did Seth re-record the band's songs? Perhaps there wasn't any logic in keeping the band's entries online while new, solo versions were being recorded. At any rate, the album drops on April 4, so we'll know exactly what's actually going on soon.
SNS 100: The competition remains tight on the blog chart this week as Thee Sacred Souls' "My Heart is Drowning" holds on at #1, for a fourth week, one that sees the entire top ten gain in points, save one, the descending "Ghost" by The Palms. Tennis, despite losing its bullet, still gains with "Weight of Desire" despite holding at #2. The one newcomer to the Top 10, Sylvia Johns Ritchie's "My Heart Knows You By Heart" moves 14-10, while there are five new debuts in the top 20. That includes Rivermist's "Oceans Apart" which garners the Impact Award (21-15) and becomes the beach outfits sixth straight top 20 hit, and the Mover of the Week, last week's Top Debut, Michael Nau's "No Quit" (34-17). In between at #16 is the Deb Browning-Michael Fite duet, "I Never Wanted To" (25-16). SZA and Almost Monday also enter.
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| The Jay Vons have the Top Debut with "Days Undone", originally released in 2019. The band has roots in New Jersey as well as other place. |
DEBUTS: Thanks to Spotify recommending other artists similar to what I'm listening to, another song from the seemingly "golden year" of 2019 grabs Top Debut, that being "Days Undone" by The Jay Vons, which have some roots in New Jersey as well as in Brooklyn. The organ work and jangly guitar as well as the soulful vocals all come together for another bone-chiller blues entry. I've sampled some of their other work which is just as compelling. It debuts at #55.
We have another "battle of the Internet collectives" as both Orbis Max and Einsteins Dad debut this week, and Daniele Silvestri, the drummer from Italy, plays on both. Orbis, with "Follow" still bulleted in the top 5, follow it up quickly with "Lie to Me". It's sort of a rock and power-pop hybrid, with some touches of The Smithereens as well as more sixties-style overtones as well, but the song is all theirs. Dw Dunphy, Craig Carlstrom and the gang are in rare rockin' form here.
Meanwhile, Einsteins Dad have a quick follow-up to their current "Black Doves", as they have released an EP Six Days to Sunday, and I am going with the lead track, "Snap Shot". The band--Steve Shouse, Richard Bradley, Mario Licata, and Silvestri---are joined this time by vocalist Kimberly Collins. While her voice is somewhat similar to Ruth E. Music's, Collins' voice is a bit more tender and less folksy, and with a contemporary feel. Because of the nature of these Internet collectives, it enables these artists to tackle many types of styles and genres. Should put the band back into the top 20.
Next is "Never Know" by the English indie band The Kooks. This band has been favorites for years, with songs like "Junk of the Heart (Happy)" and their #1 blog topper "Chicken Bone", and their new song doesn't disappoint. A good timey feel here that should fit in perfectly what I'm listening to these days. Repeated listens just make it even better. A song to watch and another blog hit for the band.
Two beach music artists are next. MT Jones' "I'd Be Lying" has been around for a while but makes its entry onto SNS. The song sounds a lot like Thee Sacred Souls' "My Heart is Drowing"---another case for that song getting onto the beach music charts---C'mon Pat Gwinn, Don Mark, John Hooks, Mitch Harb, and anyone else, get on it! As for "Flip Flops", it's very smooth and soulful and captures the beach music essence.
The Tonez follow up "I Hear You Knocking" with "Flip Flops". This is another song that would feel at home both on the Grand Strand AND Jersey Shore as it has a touch of the latter with the horns. The song is an original, written by member Jonathan Treece, who also supplies lead vocals this go-round. The video is awesome as well. While not singing lead, usual vocalist Laura Kepley can be seen throughout the video. A smokin', jammin' track, for sure.
Valerie June returns with "Joy, Joy!". A nice slice of Americana for the singer who hit a few years back with "Call Me A Fool". This one should be a Triple-A natural, and you can sing along and rock along with it. Ireland's pMad makes his blog debut with "Feed" which sounds like the long-lost Pink Floyd track. Very dreamy progressive rock here.
Queens/Long Island quartet Øff Guard, following two singles, drops their new EP Complex Machines. The set includes those singles, "North Star" and "The Minute". I add the lead track, "Animated Feature", which takes their emo-oriented music to a new level, even bordering on nu metal, but Matt Weiss's vocal still holds things together in his usual style.
Canadian contingent Real Sickies, enter with the post-punkish "Should Have Seen It Coming", a nice jammer within that subgenre. The national #1 song, "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA, a Tremor last week, enters the big chart at #83.
Finally, last year's #1 song of the year, "Sunshine and Summertime" by Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay Small, re-enters the SNS 100 at #96, as it appears the song is resurging on many of the regional beach music charts.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
March 16, 2025
|
This Week |
Last Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks on List |
|
1 |
1 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: Got a Story to Tell (4 Weeks at #1) |
9 |
|
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
|
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
4 |
4 |
6 |
|
|
5 |
6 |
8 |
|
|
6 |
7 |
5 |
|
|
7 |
9 |
The Black Keys - The Night Before |
4 |
|
8 |
8 |
The Six Piece Suits ft. Nina
Starsong - Lovers Into Strangers |
7 |
|
9 |
5 |
15 |
|
|
10 |
14 |
5 |
|
|
11 |
13 |
9 |
|
|
12 |
16 |
9 |
|
|
13 |
18 |
8 |
|
|
14 |
19 |
10 |
|
|
15 |
21 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Release) |
7 |
|
16 |
25 |
Deb Browning and Michael Fite - I Never Wanted To |
4 |
|
17 |
34 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  "No Quit" (Single Release) |
2 |
|
18 |
23 |
9 |
|
|
19 |
31 |
Almost Monday - Can't Slow Down |
4 |
|
20 |
17 |
14 |
|
|
21 |
10 |
13 |
|
|
22 |
15 |
10 |
|
|
23 |
20 |
14 |
|
|
24 |
11 |
16 |
|
|
25 |
12 |
16 |
|
|
26 |
24 |
18 |
|
|
27 |
29 |
9 |
|
|
28 |
33 |
6 |
|
|
29 |
45 |
3 |
|
|
30 |
26 |
10 |
|
|
31 |
36 |
8 |
|
|
32 |
22 |
16 |
|
|
33 |
32 |
15 |
|
|
34 |
27 |
8 |
|
|
35 |
37 |
5 |
|
|
36 |
38 |
6 |
|
|
37 |
44 |
Justice ft. Tame Impala - Neverender |
4 |
|
38 |
39 |
8 |
|
|
39 |
30 |
27 |
|
|
40 |
43 |
7 |
|
|
41 |
42 |
6 |
|
|
42 |
35 |
28 |
|
|
43 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
44 |
48 |
Juliet Callahan - Intoxicated (Excuse Me) |
4 |
|
45 |
46 |
8 |
|
|
46 |
50 |
6 |
|
|
47 |
52 |
6 |
|
|
48 |
51 |
5 |
|
|
49 |
54 |
Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz - Glide to Arrive |
4 |
|
50 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
51 |
41 |
7 |
|
|
52 |
57 |
5 |
|
|
53 |
58 |
7 |
|
|
54 |
40 |
20 |
|
|
55 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: The Word |
1 |
|
56 |
62 |
3 |
|
|
57 |
63 |
3 |
|
|
58 |
49 |
23 |
|
|
59 |
60 |
Barry Walsh - The Sound |
4 |
|
60 |
61 |
Franz Ferdinand - Night or Day |
4 |
|
61 |
74 |
2 |
|
|
62 |
83 |
2 |
|
|
63 |
59 |
5 |
|
|
64 |
76 |
2 |
|
|
65 |
53 |
28 |
|
|
66 |
72 |
3 |
|
|
67 |
66 |
5 |
|
|
68 |
69 |
3 |
|
|
69 |
56 |
15 |
|
|
70 |
|
1 |
|
|
71 |
65 |
7 |
|
|
72 |
82 |
11 |
|
|
73 |
90 |
2 |
|
|
74 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
75 |
85 |
3 |
|
|
76 |
86 |
2 |
|
|
77 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
78 |
89 |
3 |
|
|
79 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
80 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
81 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
82 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
83 |
77 |
29 |
|
|
84 |
98 |
2 |
|
|
85 |
100 |
9 |
|
|
86 |
93 |
3 |
|
|
87 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
88 |
80 |
9 |
|
|
89 |
91 |
9 |
|
|
90 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
91 |
64 |
20 |
|
|
92 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
93 |
102 |
1 |
|
|
94 |
87 |
26 |
|
|
95 |
101 |
1 |
|
|
96 |
RE ENTRY |
Deb Browning and Marlisa Kay
Small -Sunshine and Summertime● |
33 |
|
97 |
68 |
16 |
|
|
98 |
75 |
19 |
|
|
99 |
84 |
12 |
|
|
100 |
70 |
9 |
Tremors:
101. Teddy Swims, "Lose Control"
102. Alabama Shakes, "Until There's Nothing Left"
Tremors: Songs which have steady
or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.
Murmurs:
Roxanne Fontana - Card Throwing #2
Lucy Dacus - Ankles
Clover County - Ultraviolet
Caamp - Let Things Go
Balu Brigata - So Cold
Linkin Park - Heavy Is the Crown
Elton John and Brandi Carlile - Who Believes in Angels
Joe P. - Pass Me Your Love
The Weeknd - Cry For Me
Declan McKenna - Champagne
Micheal Nau - Love Survive
Don West - Friends
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - 60 Years Ago
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - I Can Dream About You
Fontaines DC - It's Amazing to Be Young
Ty Segall - Fantastic Tomb
Haim - Relationships
Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot - I Can Dream About You
Moonsoul - Don't Change
Awolnation - Barbarian
Myles Smith - Nice To Meet You
Calvin Harris - Smoke the Pain Away
Tim Clark - This Love
Tim Sidden - You Make Me Crazy
Tony Torre - Carolina 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. (Until September 2024)
●Songs garnering 25 plays
on Spotify (“Scrobbles”) according to Last.Fm (effective October 2024) ▲ Songs garnering 50 plays.
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 From 41-100 that are moving up the
chart that have not reached the top 40
Scenes
Down and Going: Song formerly in the top 40 that are
descending but still on the SNS 100.
Scenes
Recurrents: Songs which had been in
the top 20 and/or songs on the chart 25 weeks or more, that have dropped off
the SNS 100.
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