The War on Drugs obtain their first #1 spot
by Mark Wheat
August 17, 2017
The War On Drugs are #1 for the very first time and make their debut in the Chart Hall of Fame. The new album doesn't come out until next Friday, but we got a sneak preview last weekend at The Turf Club for the latest in our series of Micro-Shows. They start their tour in Portland on Sept 19th and arrive at The Palace Theater Oct 18th.
Courtney Barnett is also inducted to the Hall of Fame, for the 7th time, which puts her at #11 on The All-Time Chart Hall of Fame. As we near the 8th anniversary of the Chart Show it provides an interesting snapshot of what has worked for YOU our listening audience over those years. Thanks to everyone who votes every week!
Sylvan Esso are back with the highest new entry at #4. They played two sold out shows at First Avenue last week, which, according to our intrepid concert reviewer Cecilia, "...felt like standing in a confetti shower!"
Belle and Sebastian are also back after a long hiatus from our chart, with a new single released ahead of their USA tour, which stopped in St. Paul Tuesday night. They had chance to do an in-studio with Looch this week, check back soon for a video of the full session.
Katie Crutchfield is the woman behind Waxahatchee, new for the very first time at #9. She has her sister Alison in her band and playing support for her on their tour. This is the lead off track from Out In The Storm, her fourth Waxahatchee album released last month, and she has re-invigorated the sound every time.
There's almost gender parity on the chart this week with nine female led acts being supplemented by Feist who emerged from the Broken Social Scene to become its biggest breakout star when her album The Reminder released in 2007 had the big hit "1234". After riding that wave with Metals in 2011 Leslie Feist took a five year break to re-assess her life and what really gave her Pleasure.
Wolf Alice creep into the basement space to also supplement the female chart cadre, leader singer Ellie Roswell is an inspiration for many young women in the UK to pick up the guitar, and hopefully, to vote. She has been a vocal supporter of Jeremy Corbyn as the NME explains this week when premiering "Beautifully Unconventional" another new track from Visions of a Life coming Sept 29th.
Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win a pair of passes to The Current's Music On A Stick at the MN State Fair!