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The Chart Show: Messersmith clinches top seed

  Play Now [1:04:00]

by Mark Wheat

April 10, 2014

jeremy messersmith forum case
Jeremy Messersmith performs in The Forum at Minnesota Public Radio.
MPR photo/Nate Ryan

Jeremy Messersmith consolidates his position at the top for the 5th week in total. It was a very tight race with only a hand full of votes separating the top 4. A nice jump for St. Vincent this week, perhaps because of her stellar show at State Theatre; Nate Ryan took amazing photos of the performance. Her self-titled album our CD of the Week and she did a Theft of the Dial with me when she was in town and you can hear that this Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m.

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to see Queens of the Stone Age perform at Roy Wilkins Auditorium on May 6!

Biggest move up was for Temples who'll be in First Avenue April 24th. On the record label's page they sight The Byrds rather than the Beatles as a major influence, interestingly noting, "They're hazier and more interesting," reasons Tom. "The Beatles give too much away; the Byrds make you work hard. It's that quest to learn more and discover more."

Asgeir, new artist from Iceland whose album In the Silence has out sold even Bjork and Sigur Ros in his homeland, is the highest new entry this week. He got a helping hand from American musician John Grant who's on tour with Elbow right now. He helped translate the original Icelandic lyrics during his stay in Iceland.

Ray LaMontagne is the other new entry this week, back after an extended hiatus when he even considered not making another album after the success of his 2004 album Trouble. But hooking up with Black Key Dan Auerbach in his Nashville studio for three weeks re-energized him and he "just let the songs happen."

Courtney Barnett is inducted into the Chart Show Hall of Fame this week and will finally be in town at The Varsity Theater June 24.