First Aid Kit make their first appearance at the top of our chart with a song that they see as a, "bit of a new sound for us, though not in a forced way." It's based on the structure of a 50's ballad like The Everly Brothers and it's about hopes and long-term aspirations, and how they can get in the way. There's more insight about all the songs from the new 'Ruins' album and a story about getting a present from Jack White in this fascinating recent article on Consequence of Sound.

Brandi Carlile is the highest new entry with another track from her sixth studio album, out last week, 'By The Way, I Forgive You'. She invited our Music Director David Safar to her home near Seattle for a special In-studio performance of some of the songs and he's played them on 'New Hot'.

Brand new at #11, 'Neighbors' is one of the original songs on the forthcoming 'Nudes' album from Lucius, out on March 2nd. It's an acoustic set of some old songs and covers, including one of Tame Impala?! And there's help from their friend Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, who took them on his tour last year and Nels Cline from Wilco.

Ezra Furman doesn't seem to love us enough to come play in the Twin Cities, after the release last week of his new 'Transangelic Exodus'. But his old home town of Chicago still loves him enough that he's playing two shows at Thalia Hall, on the same day next week, February 26. He doesn't call it a concept album, although there's a narrative thread. "It's a queer outlaw saga. I'm in love with an angel and the government is after us because angels are illegal."

Eels however will grace the stage of First Avenue's Mainroom on June 5, in support of his first album in four years. 'The Deconstruction' out April 6th, is a reaction to, as leader Mark Oliver Everett put it, "the world going nuts."

JD McPherson is back on the chart with the third song from his most recent release 'Undivided Heart and Soul.' When they did an in-studio session for us they performed a cover of the Erasure song "A Little Respect". It was included on Amazon's 'Love Me Not' playlist for Valentines Day!

Thanks, much love AND respect to all those who shared their love with us last week for Valentines and for the Member Drive! Over seven thousand listeners donated over $900K for programming at MPR, we are blessed.

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win a pair of passes to MGMT at Myth Live on March 2, 2018!