Portugal. The Man top the chart again, land in hot water
by Mark Wheat
June 01, 2017
Portugal. The Man are feeling it still at the top, but not without some controversy. Some resemblance of the song to "Please, Mr. Postman" by The Marvellettes had lawyers involved. And the video, inspired by the zeal of Woodstock (the title of the album coming June 16th) not surprisingly has some pointed political content, as our friends on World Cafe found out recently.
Brother Ali went up seven places this week, spurred perhaps by his appearance at the 10th Annual Sounset Festival at the State Fairgrounds. It was the biggest ever with over 35,000 people and although Mac Miller couldn't perform, Ms. Lauryn Hill started on time and blew everyone away.
Another local on the chart, Chastity Brown is having a big occasion this Friday night at the Fitzgerald Theater. She recently explained to our news colleagues why the new album, out on Red House Records took 3 years to make.
Sufjan Stevens and friends are the highest new entry with a song from an album all about the planets. It's out June 9th and will have some innovative listening parties around the country... in planetariums!
LCD Soundsystem also jump back into the fray at #13. They made a big announcement while playing the big
Sasquatch Festival last weekend, the new album is done and MIGHT be out in 6 weeks!?
Harry Styles is Number One all over the planet this week with his first solo release since leaving One Direction. It's also our Album of the Week and our boss Jim explains why.
Sept 8th is when the new album from The National will be released by one of my fave record labels ever, 4AD. 'Sleep Well Beast' will be unveiled live at The Glastonbury Festival in the UK and they'll spend most of Autumn in Europe, then Canada, before, at this point, ending for the year with two already sold out shows at The Civic Opera House in Chicago.
The War On Drugs will visit us here however, at The Palace Theater in St. Paul on Oct 18th. Their new single was over 11 minutes long when it was released on Record Store Day, its edited version clambers on to the chart at #19.
Beth Ditto became just as famous in the international world of fashion as she was with her first band The Gossip, after they went on hiatus. That band is over for good now apparently and her solo debut is out June 16th. Brand new in the basement space, she explained its creation to The Guardian at the weekend.
Fleet Foxes are inducted for the third time putting them at #42 on the All Time Hall Of Fame Chart. They've already sold out one show at The Palace, so they added another Oct 1st.