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The Chart Show: Low go as high as they can go

by Mark Wheat

October 08, 2015

Low portrait
Low are (L to R) Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Parker and Steve Garrington.
MPR photo/Nate Ryan

Low are as high as you can go! It's the first week at the top for the Duluth band who are getting rave reviews for Ones and Sixes, which was recorded at Justin Vernon's April Base studio in Eau Claire. During a recent session, Jade asked the band what the secret is for sustaining passion and creativity over their 20 year career: "Luckily we've always been pretty naive," said Alan Sparhawk!

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win tickets to Run the Jewels' sold out show at First Avenue on Friday, Oct. 23!

New Order, another veteran band, pushed up to No.2 after only two weeks on the chart. Music Complete was released Friday and many, like Pioneer Press writer Ross Raihala, think it's their best album in recent history.

Wolf Alice are inducted to our Hall of Fame for the first time. They were in town this week and dropped by the station to record a Theft of the Dial with Jade that will air on Oct. 16. They also stopped by in March to record a session, one of my favorite in-studios of the year.

Tune in this Friday at 7:30 p.m. for another of my favorite sessions with Lianne La Havas. I was very impressed with her poise and eloquence when she did her first with us in November of 2012, and she's gotten even better since then!

I wish more artists would do what Craig Finn is doing this month: playing a show in each of the Twin Cities, Oct. 24 at the Women's Club and Oct. 25 at the Turf Club! He's back in at No.17 after a week off. Fans of his band the Hold Steady might think, why's he playing a sit down, sedate venue like the Women's Club?! Well, as NPR's Tom Moon suggests, making his second solo album, Craig "sounds like a musician looking for his next act."

EL VY are the only brand new entry this week, and they're a brand new band! The National's
Matt Berninger and Brent Knopf of Menomena and Ramona Falls say that they've already recorded enough material for a follow up album, too. But don't fret, their other bands are still priorities! They made their TV debut last week on Conan.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us during our fall Member Drive! We wrap it up tomorrow at 7 p.m., so there's still time to get in on the fun! And in keeping with Tuesday's theme of books by rock stars and Monday's special Discover Music feature on how I feel for the Fall, check out the autobiography of Mark E. Smith!