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The Chart Show: Record Breaking Hall of Famers

Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend
Ezra Koenig of Vampire WeekendMonika Mog

by Mark Wheat

May 23, 2019

Momentum is building for the new Vampire Weekend album, it went to Number One on the Billboard charts last week and this week, to the top of ours! They just released a sumptuous video for this track with guests including members of HAIM and SOPHIE.

The most successful chart act ever is again inducted to the Hall of Fame, for a record breaking 11th time! The Black Keys are now clear of Arcade Fire and Courtney Barnett on ten. Meanwhile Dessa adds her 8th induction taking her to eight on the All Time Chart. She's playing one of the free shows at The MN State Fair this year and this weekend at Soundset.

Highest new entry is Jenny Lewis, with a song that could count as her anthem from the new album On The Line. But in this interesting review from Salt Lake City the writer thinks another track is Jenny's "Wonderwall"!

One of the biggest double bills touring the country this summer will be Beck and Cage The Elephant who are new at #8 this week. They just dropped a collaborative video for their duet on 'Social Cues'.

Another great double bill heading out on tour in the fall is The Black Keys and Modest Mouse, who are new at Number Nine with the first single released on Record Store Day from an unnamed album coming later in the year.

There's going to be a video for every song apparently on the new Lumineers album III They just dropped the one for this first single, new at #17, which looks at a life unravelling through alcoholism.

We have to wait until June 21 for the full album and until September 14 to see Hot Chip at First Avenue. Their new single takes no time getting in at #18 this week. They just wrapped up a string of sold out shows in Europe and also posted the video for this track which was directed by Saman Kesh, the man behind FIFA's World Cup videos of 2014, who's also worked with Bret Easton Ellis and Ed Sheeran.

Local Natives are donating a dollar for every ticket sold at their shows this year to local charities. So far they've included domestic violence shelters and get out the vote efforts. They talked to Mary Lucia yesterday before their First Ave gig last night.

Of Monsters and Men are one of my favorite discoveries from Iceland. The first time I heard their global hit "Little Talks" I was hooked and saw them play a great live show at SXSW in 2012. They're back after an extended hiatus in the basement space. Our friends at WERS in Boston had only just done a nice little 'where are they now' piece on them back in February.

Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win The Current's Vampire Weekend giveaway at The Armory in Minneapolis, MN on June 9, 2019.