The Chart Show: Minnesotans are back on top
by Mark Wheat
March 22, 2018
After a month of domination by the Swedish sisters of First Aid Kit this is the second local #1 of the year. When the single was released on Valentine's Day jeremy told us, "a song about two people on opposite sides of a cultural divide, who are experiencing the loneliness and disconnection of modern society in the form of the worst first date of all time." The album 'Late Stage Capitalism' is out now and he's playing First Ave next Friday with Monica LaPlante.
Janelle Monae continues her rise up the chart after three weeks and the album 'Dirty Computer' doesn't come out until April 27th. She's already doing interviews though. This week she sat down with Annie Mac of Radio 1 in the UK to discuss her respect for Prince and how hard it was to make the album during the present social upheaval.
Dessa (the other local to be #1 this year) bounced up six places this week. She's got a big start to April planned, singing the National Anthem at the Twins home opener on the 5th, sold out show at First Ave on the 6th and Live From Here with Chris Thile at The State Theater on the 7th!
When CHVRCHES came in to do a session and we were chatting football, they wouldn't tell me who they supported, as being from Glasgow that would signify their religion and they might lose half their audience. Now leader Lauren is being outspoken on American political issues, including gun control.
Low Cut Connie are the highest new entry with the first track from their new 'Dirty Pictures (Part Two)' coming May 18th. Veteran rock writer for Rolling Stone David Fricke picks them out of SXSW, calling them, "rock'n'roll purism, with a future."
Hanging out again at #18, David Byrne is our Album of the Week. Trying to review it objectively for me was very hard as a long time fan I realized that I was unsurprised by his lyrical twists, that he says what I think so often. Is his influence on my thinking that strong? How did we get here?! This is his first album ever to get into the Billboard Top Ten, his first band Talking Heads were only ever Top 40, and this is his 12th solo effort, and he's still asking questions.
The Breeders are another new entry with a track from their well received "return" album after a 14 year hiatus. The Guardian calls it, "an album that blends ancient monuments and crushed beetles into a spectral brew?!"
Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win a pair of passes to The Decemberists at the Palace Theatre on April 6, 2018!