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The Chart Show: Return of Rock - and CAPS Lock

  Play Now [2:04:00]

by Mark Wheat

September 20, 2013

Franz Ferdinand
Domino

Rock is back on top! Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand topple Lorde after both their new albums get good reviews. Franz are on the cover of NME this week, talking about how they almost split up during the hiatus, confused about where they should go next after most of the bands that they came up with have dissipated or seemingly lost the audience's interest.

It is definitely the first time that we have ever had three bands on the Chart that spell their names with capitals, which seems to be increasingly popular, and they are all in a row this week at spots #9, 10 and 11! If you have been wondering why a band would choose all capitals, Stina Wäppling, the lead singer of NONONO, explains that it is mainly for emphasis. Part of the identity of the band is sourced from the freedom that emerged when they all turned down musical projects that they weren't comfortable with. But, as Stina explains, that can be applied across other areas of life, too:

Most of the time people want to say yes, like, "Yes, I want the job" or "Yes, I want to be your girlfriend." But it's a lot harder to say no. It's really important to live your life for yourself, and what things you want to do and what relationships you want to keep.

Perhaps Savages should have all caps, too, as they're all about intensity and emphasis! They came back for their second sold-out show in three months last week at First Avenue, much to delight of City Pages reviewer Erik Thompson.

The young sisters of HAIM started playing music in a cover band with their parents on the West Coast, and they still do good covers like Sheryl Crow's "Strong Enough" for cool radio stations like Triple J in Australia. And in the UK, they have quickly graduated to "The Best New Festival Artist of 2013"! as voted by the readers of NME.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros hold on to be inducted into the Chart Hall of Fame for the third time, and Vampire Weekend get in for their fourth. We lost Queens of the Stone Age after only a week, and The Pixies after eight. The sound for their show at Riot Fest was a little muddy, like the field we were standing in after a solid day of rain. But it was crystal clear and tight when The Replacements hit the stage, putting on a storming set that warmed the hearts of all the fans, young and old, who had braved the trip and the elements to witness the recent revival of our heroes!