RRHOF Nods; Tennis' Farewell; Remembering Jill Sobule; Sylvia Gets SNS Top Spot (SNS week of 4/27/2025)

 A LOT TO TALK about this week, so lets get right to it.....

Last week, the 2025 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was announced.    The nominees were released back in February, with the new inductees announced.   They are...

• Bad Company
• Chubby Checker
• Joe Cocker
• Cyndi Lauper
• OutKast
• Soundgarden
• The White Stripes

To be honest, I really can't disagree with any of these choices.    When I blogged about the nominees, I was against Bad Company, largely because the members of that band all came from worthy groups (Free, King Crimson, Mott the Hoople) who hadn't gotten in or even nominated yet).    But they did pioneer the "straight-ahead, arena rock" sound, and were very successful at it.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its class of 2025 inductions last week.

I also had a "let's wait" attitude with The White Stripes, who got in their second time around.   I only felt that way, because, like others, they were "too new".    But I loved that duo of Meg White and Jack White; they were one of my favorite bands of the 2000's; their "stripped-down" neo-garage sounds inspired the likes of The Strokes, The Hives, and The Black Keys, just to name three.  They would always surprise you with every release in that the style is vastly different from what you were expecting.    I only regret the band splitting up just as they were gaining momentum mainstream-wise, and right before the start of my blog.   Then again, with the demise of new rock in the 2010's, maybe it was just as well.

As for the other nods, I had predicted, or recommended that they should get in.

Cyndi Lauper is one of this year's inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the only woman to get in this year via traditional vote.

I'll start with Cyndi Lauper, who definitely deserves to be in.    What bothers me are these so-called "rock fans" who claim that Cyndi isn't "rock".   Really?    Do they not know that Cyndi started out in a punk/new wave band called Blue Angel before going solo?    Cyndi rode the wave of MTV and added a visual aspect to music; her first two videos, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" and "Time After Time"---the latter partially filmed in my town of Roxbury as well as in other portions of Morris County like Wharton and Morristown---were classics.    We now know that an artist doesn't have to be "rock", but rather to "embody the spirit" of the genre, but regardless, I consider Ms. Lauper a rock artist.    Rock, like most genres, evolves, and it's hilarious that people judge an artist by their own criteria of their favorite acts.    That's probably the reason why the genre seems dead in the water these days.

Next are two artists---one posthumously---that have waited a long time to get in.    As I mentioned back then, Chubby Checker should have gotten in long ago, and Joe Cocker as well.  Cocker, who passed in 2014 was the superb song stylist who was a hit at Woodstock, and had a span of hits reaching into the 1990's, while Checker popularized the dance as an essential tool in rock and roll music. 

As for OutKast, I figured they would get in (and I goofed when I mentioned that this was one person.  OutKast, of course is a duo, specializing in hip-hop, but it was the rather retro track "Hey Ya" that piqued my interest.   And finally, Soundgarden was a no-brainer.     Grunge was pretty much the first region-centered (Seattle) trend in a musical subgenre in ages.  Nirvana and Pearl Jam are already in, thus it makes sense.   I guess now it's Alice in Chains' turn.

So, what about the snubs?    Billy Idol is one I thought would get in.   And given that she didn't have to "rock" out but had an influence, not to mention the dearth of women this year, I was surprised that Mariah Carey didn't make it.  Phish's snub was a surprise, given that Dave Matthews Band was already in.  And while I didn't think The Black Crowes would get in,  I figured that the powers that be would have put them in.   Joy Division and New Order was another surprise snub as well.    As for the Latin band Mana, I don't think people knew much about them; they were at the bottom of the fan vote.    Finally, as for Oasis, apparently people shared my view that they shouldn't get in.   

THEN WE COME to the "Musical Influence" awards.  I'm still not certain what that means; much of it goes to acts that have been nominated before and didn't get in, for one reason or another.  One needn't be nominated in the current year to get in via this method; Warren Zevon and Salt-n-Pepa got in this way, but again, why can't they get in via traditional methods?

Then we have the Musical Excellence Award.  It was, for a time, known as a "sideman" award, although I had to scratch my head as to bands that should have gotten in but had to settle for some sort of "consolation prize" like this.   Anyway, this year, the three inductees via this method are legit.    Carol Kaye, who was a major part of The Wrecking Crew, an informal group of musicians who were the heart and soul of many recordings by acts of the 1960's and 70's, was justifiably honored.     Also, Thom Bell, who was one of the prime architects of the Philly soul sound via groups like The Spinners and The Stylistics, was honor, as was Nicky Hopkins,, the British musician who played on many major Brit acts from the 1960's thru the 1990's.     All three deserved this award.

The husband-and-wife duo Tennis is calling it quits after their current tour.  Their final album, Face Down in the Garden, was released last week.

FAREWELL, LOVE:  One of the regrets doing this blog was failing to break new acts, or give exposure to obscure ones in hopes that they have some sort of breakthrough.    I'm not just talking about the locals that I've been championing, but national acts that really never broke through to the masses.     So, I was a bit disappointed to hear the news that the husband-and-wife duo Tennis was calling it quits after their upcoming tour.   The Denver indie-pop act, comprised of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley started recording in 2010, released their seventh album this week, Face Down in the Garden.    Their first release Cape Dory came out in 2011, but it was their second effort, 2012's Young & Old that produced their blog breakthrough, "Origins", which was their first of four #1's on my chart.   2017's Yours Conditionally, produced two blog-toppers, "Modern Woman" and "My Emotions Are Blinding".    2020's Swimmer produced their most recent #1, "Runner", the first new SNS topper of the decade.    And while 2023's Pollen didn't produce a blog number one, the lead single, "One Night With the Valet" hit #6, and the album actually got some national airplay.

Face Down In the Garden's first single, "Weight of Desire", reached #2, held back from the top spot by the multi-week run of Thee Sacred Souls' "My Heart Is Drowning".  But the announcement from the duo last week is that the album will be their last, and that they will be going on a "farewell tour" to support the album which starts in May and goes to September. 

Tennis indeed was a special act that spoke to me.  Alaina's vocals definitely stirred the emotions.   I will try to pick a second single off the album shortly, unless they have one already picked out.

Alt-pop artist Jill Sobule unexpectedly died in a house fire this week.  She was 66.

TO MANY, Jill Sobule is a rather "obscure"  artist, but if you followed alternative music in the 1990's, she was a household name.   Before Katy Perry ever did a song with the same title, Jill had a big hit with "I Kissed a Girl" in 1995.  It was her only Hot 100 hit peaking at #67 that year but also reached #20 on the alternative chart listing.    Her follow-up "Supermodel", from the movie Clueless, also got airplay, and while neither song made it onto my year end list for 1995, they are well remembered, and I played them a lot.

Ms. Sobule did make my 2001 list with her cover of the Laura Nyro gem, "Stoned Soul Picnic" which originally was a hit for the 5th Dimension in the summer of 1968.   Jill's version came in #34 on my year-end list for 2001.  She released ten albums in total, starting in 1990. Her most recent album, Nostalgia Kills was released in 2018.   

Jill was born in Denver and was influenced by the likes of Harry Nilsson, Warren Zevon, Harry Chapin and Randy Newman.  Sadly, she lost her life in a house fire in Woodbury MN, on May 1.  She was 66.

HOT 100: Before we get to my chart, a brief look at the top of Billboard this week.  Once again, "Luther" is atop the chart for a tenth week.   "Die With a Smile" is still #2, but "Ordinary"by Alex Warren is up to #3.  "Lose Control" is #9 in week 88; it's almost certain to break the record.   "I Ain't Coming Back" by Morgan Wallen and Post Malone debuts at #8.

SNS 100:   We have a very tight race this week on my chart, with the top 3 songs separated by just one point.   But it's Sylvia Johns Ritchie's "My Heart Knows You By Heart" that advances 2-1 for her second blog #1, following "Good Love Don't Come Easy" a year ago.   That forces last week's chart topper, Michael Dau's "No Quit" to #2, but in a virtual tie with Deb Browning and Michael Fite's "I Never Wanted To" holding at #3.   Fite actually has two songs in the top 10 as his outfit The Mac Daddy's Band moves 11-7 with "Seaside in the Sand".    Actually, beach music has half the top 10 this week as Rivermist moves 10-8 with "Oceans Apart" and M.T. Jones' first blog top 10 moves 14-9 with "I'd Be Lying". 

In the second ten, The Kooks grab Impact honors with "Never Know", while Deb Browning has yet another top 20 as her solo "Does Your Baby Got Your Back" moves 33-19 to grab a share of the Mover of the Week.   Lady Gaga enters the top 20 with "Abracadabra" (27-20).     

Sharing Mover honors is another beach artist, Jerry Powell, as "Dance With Me" advances 41-22.  Both Jerry and Deb entered the chart the same week, with Deb garnering Top Debut.   Last week, it was Jerry's turn to get the Mover award, but this week, they share the designation. 

DEBUTS: As it is a very competitive SNS 100 this week, only five of the nine new entries actually makes the big chart, with the others confined to the Tremors "bubbling-under" status.    Thus, the Top Debut, at #88 is Pepper Creek's 'Salty Southern Saturday Night", the third straight week that Carolina beach music has the highest entry.    The band, coming off a top 10 with "We're Cruis'n"   This band has a magical aspect to them; they know where to put the catchy and soulful hooks in songs.    It's a perfect follow-up to the prior hit, and complements it without sounding like it.    Life at the Grand Strand is covered very well here, and this is the reason why I love beach music so much.    

British soul singer Pip Millett returns with "Better".   Pip, of course was part of the monster blog hit with Gotts Street Park with "Got to Be Good", which also contains "better" in the lyric.   It's from her current album Tell Jimmy I'm Fine which also includes her recent "Have Your Babies".   While that track has far more streams, this one is dreamier, a bit sort of jazzy and laid back and should outdo that song on this chart.    It may take a few listens, but it should be another hit for Pip. 

I mentioned this above, but The Hives were part of the neo-garage movement of the early 2000's, and they are still around, debuting with "Enough is Enough".   They are still  rocking, even rather harder than I remembered them.   But the sound is still infectious, reminding me at times of mid-period Stone Temple Pilots' Tiny Music...era.   Entering at #94, it should top their 2023 "Bogus Operandi" which only got to #90 in 2023.  

The Marias follow "No One Noticed" with "Back To Me".   A big slowed down from the prior song, this one has 90's alternative, haunting vibe.   May take a few listens to fully appreciate, but a well done effort.    

Wet Leg scored a couple of blog hits in 2023 and they return with "Catch These Fists".  The indie-punk from Britain fronted by Rhian Teasdale also has 90's vibes, albeit in a more rhythmic way.  The song is uptempo and grabs its hooks on you.  

BUBBLING UNDER:  Looking at the Tremors list, we see the return of Bush.  The Gavin Rossdale-led band has "60 Ways to Forget People".    Their best in quite a while.  With a rather somber beginning, it's a bit of a departure at times for the band before it settles in a familiar groove for the band.  The instrumentation is different enough to distinguish it from past efforts...David F. Porfirio continues to dig deep into exotica with "Arabian Nights".    His artistry is in full force here, with a definite influence from cultures around the world.   He is the consummate  DIY artist.   I could spend several hours listening to his music...Lucius takes another stab for a hit with "Do It All For You".     Not a bad effort, but to be honest, it never really gets off the ground.  But repeated listens could do it.

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

April 27, 2025

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	2	NUMBER ONE: SYLVIA JOHNS RITCHIE "My Heart Knows You By Heart" (Single Release)	11
2	1	Michael Nau - No Quit●	8
3	3	Deb Browning and Michael Fite - I Never Wanted To	10
4	4	The Black Keys - The Night Before	10
5	6	The Jay Vons - Days Undone	7
6	9	Billie Eilish - Wildflower	9
7	11	The Mac Daddy's Band - Seaside in the Sand	5
8	10	Rivermist - Oceans Apart	13
9	14	MT Jones - I'd Be Lying	7
10	7	Almost Monday - Can't Slow Down	10
11	5	Starbuck - Beach Radio	11
12	8	My Morning Jacket - Time Waited	13
13	16	The Tonez - Flip Flops	7
14	15	Guster - When We Were Stars	12
15	17	Ashley Clark and Matthew Simon Clark - Liberty	8
16	19	Bachman Turner Overdrive - 60 Years Ago	5
17	22	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: THE KOOKS "Never Know" Album: Sunny Baby	7
18	33	CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK: DEB BROWNING "Does Your Baby Got Your Back" (Single Release)	3
19	13	Thee Sacred Souls - My Heart is Drowning	15
20	26	Lady Gaga - Arbracadabra	9
21	27	Einsteins Dad ft. Ruth Moranyss - Black Doves	12
22	41	CO-MOVER OF THE WEEK: JERRY POWELL " Dance With Me" (Single Release)	3
23	25	Lola Young - Messy	14
24	12	Tennis - Weight of Desire	12
25	21	Calypso Joe and the Coconuts - Me Myself and the Blues	14
26	28	Orbis Max - Lie To Me	7
27	32	Balu Brigada - So Cold	6
28	18	The Six Piece Suits ft. Nina Starsong  - Lovers Into Strangers	13
29	35	Ruth Morayniss. - Any Day Now	8
30	34	Phantogram - Come Alive	8
31	20	Moon Soul - Love Again	14
32	36	Teddy Swims - Guilty	8
33	39	Valerie June - Joy, Joy	7
34	24	Jim Quick and Coastline ft Albert Rogers- Hustlin'	15
35	31	The Cure- A Fragile Thing	13
36	42	Tim Sidden - You Make Me Crazy	6
37	44	Seth Storer - Insomnia	4
38	37	Einsteins Dad - Snap Shot	7
39	38	Kjband - The Outsider	11
40	23	Orbis Max - Follow	12
41	30	The Pozers - What You Do To Me	11
42	51	Wilder Woods ft. Nick Waterhouse - Time On My Hands	4
43	29	Justice ft. Tame Impala - Neverender	10
44	43	Dani Zanoni - Safe Space	9
45	50	Fitz and the Tantrums - Ruin the Night	5
46	53	Clover County - Ultraviolet	6
47	52	Sarah Teti - Prayer For Sinead	5
48	61	The Beaches - Last Girls At the Party	4
49	63	Elton John and Brandi  Carlile - Who Believes in Angels	5
50	75	Starbuck - Who's Gonna Love You	2
51	71	Jackie Gore and Terri Gore - Unforgettable	3
52	40	Kathleen Turner Overdrive - Best Dog	11
53	59	Morgan Wallen - I'm the Problem	8
54	77	Rick Strickland and Lesa Hudson - All Because Of You	2
55	62	Don West - Friends	6
56	46	Beach Weather - Seth Cohen	14
57	81	Miley Cyrus - End of the World	2
58	48	Sir Prize and the Twomorrow Knightz - Glide to Arrive	10
59	69	Lenny Kravitz - Honey	13
60	70	Jelly Roll - Liar	15
61	73	The Cynz - Heartbreak Time	3
62	47	Sofi Tukker - Purple Hat	15
63	60	Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile●	33
64	85	Ed Sheeran - Azizam	2
65	49	Jalen Ngonda - Anyone in Love	16
66	88	Claire Davis - Thrive	2
67	56	ROSE and Bruno Mars - APT	13
68	45	Juliet Callahan - Intoxicated (Excuse Me)	10
69	72	Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA - Luther	7
70	76	Fontaines DC - It's Amazing To Be Young	4
71	54	The Palms - Ghost●	21
72	98	Alex Warren - Ordinary	2
73	74	The Beaches - Takes One to Know One▲	34
74	57	Duran Duran - Evil Woman	12
75	65	Moon Soul - I Really Do	17
76	80	The Warning - Hell You Call a Dream	9
77	68	Don West - Small Change●	20
78	86	Myles Smith - Nice to Meet You	4
79	55	Carly Pearce - Truck on Fire	11
80	78	Lucy Dacus - Ankles	6
81	84	DWLLRS - TTYLSOS	3
82	87	The Blue Stones - Come Apart	3
83	94	Harley Olivia - Diggin'	2
84	92	Lizzo - Still Bad	3
85	58	The Marias - No One Noticed	12
86	64	I-42 Band - Love Comes Knocking	16
87	89	Miya Folick - Love Wants Me Dead	4
88	---	TOP DEBUT: PEPPER CREEK "Salty Southern Saturday Night" (Single Release)	1
89	67	SZA - BMF	15
90	---	Pip Millet - Better	1
91	66	Linkin Park - Heavy Is the Crown	6
92	79	Declan McKenna - Champagne	5
93	97	Think/ pMad - Chance	2
94	---	The Hives - Enough is Enough	1
95	95	Calvin Harris - Smoke the Pain Away	3
96	102	Sleigh Bells - This Summer	1
97	96	Haim - Relationships	3
98	---	The Marias - Back To Me	1
99	83	Øff Guard - Animated Feature	7
100	---	Wet Leg - Catch These Fists	1

Tremors:

101. Whiskey-Chitto Ramblers, Bender Coming On

102, The Streetwalkin Cheetahs, Long Haul

103. Tony Torre, Carolina Girls

104. Bush, 60 Days to Forget People

105. David F. Porfirio, Arabian Nights

106. Sleep Token, Emergence

107. Lucius, Do It All For You

Tremors: Songs which have steady or increasing points but not enough to chart on the SNS 100.

Murmurs:

Moonsoul - Don't Change

Tim Clark - This Love

Einsteins Dad - Keeping It Real/Treat Me  Kind

Sports Team - Bang Bang Bang

Caroline Rose - everything in its right place

Orbis Max - Oh Polaris

Linkin Park - Up From the Bottom

Michael Nau - Montrose Tape

MT Jones - Punching

Evanescence - Afterlife

Almost Monday - Jupiter

The Tonez and Sylvia Johns Ritchie - The Ladies Man

Mt Joy - Coyote

Lorde - What Was That

Jade Bird - Dreams

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

 

●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.