I’ve been involved, in some capacity, with Modern Rock promotion since 1991. I know--add up the years and we’re closing in on 24. That’s for another column. I just don’t remember a time where I’ve seen so many bands and/or artists come out with new material at what feels like the same time. We’re still in February and I think the number is close to 20 new releases. For a format that plays a lot less new music than say Top 40 this is system overload. Patience is required. With that said, let’s take a look at what’s happening now.

One could say that the first to the concert gets the best seat. If that’s the case, then let’s applaud Glassnote with the job done on Robert DeLong. In what may be a blueprint for new records, “Long Way Down” started getting airplay in mid-November. It worked beautifully, as there wasn’t much competition for new and/or developing acts, and Robert was able to find his way before the big releases starting showing up. As of right now, the record is Top 3 in iGen.

As the year reached its conclusion, Epic made a genius move and dropped new music from Modest Mouse. On the last reporting day of the year, “Lampshades on Fire” got added everywhere, and when we came back in January, it was the buzzing record. It looks to be doing so well right now that I believe the record will be #1 in two weeks.

About a month back, the madness officially began. Red Bull dropped new music from AWOLNATION, which now, four weeks later, arrives in the Top 10 with “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf).” It wasn’t smooth sailing for AWOL, as Death Cab For Cutie also dropped new music at the same time with “Bad Sun,” and that record is now on the doorsteps of the Top 10.

At this particular moment, Hollywood was working its way through the system with Joywave’s new single, “Somebody New,” to some really good response. The record then got its big lift from iHeartMedia, as it became the new song for “On the Verge,” which propelled the track into the Top 20, where it continues to grow.

RCA released new music from Smallpools. “Karaoke” was a Most Added record, which fueled the historic hot-streak and allowed the label to reach new levels… And there’s still more. In January, Harvest put out some really good new music from Matt and Kim, as “Get It” is quickly approaching Top 30.

On their first headlining tour, Epic’s KONGOS released “I Want to Know,” and that one is also approaching Top 30 now.

As we entered February, Time Bomb’s Offspring returned with “Coming for You.” The record is now on close to 100 Active and Modern Rock stations and is seeing impressive early sales and callout.

Republic, in what probably was the busiest month ever for a modern rock label, dropped new music from Mowglis, Incubus, Fall Out Boy and then most recently Florence + Machine. The early read from all the new releases makes it seem like the biggest winner in terms of personal favorites belongs to Florence’s “What Kind Of Man.” In terms of charts, it’s already trending at #13 in just its second week of airplay. In just three weeks, Incubus’ “Absolution Calling” approaches Top 20, while Mowgli’s’ “I’m Good” sees strong single sales and looks to make its chart debut this weeK.

RCA also got back in the game a couple of weeks ago with Foo Fighters’ new single, “Congregation,” which is already inside the Top 20 with big gains.

Thanks to ATO, the brilliant Alabama Shakes then showed up. “Don’t Wanna Fight” immediately closed out at AAA and has now picked up two strong weeks of new adds, as it gets ready to make its chart impact at Modern Rock. (Thanks to ATO and promo head "Mean" Ed Green, pictured at left.)

Columbia jumped into the madness and dropped new music from Passion Pit last week. The band’s new single, “Lifted Up (1985),” has instantly been Most Added and looks like it will land inside the Top 30 for its chart debut next week.

I haven’t even mentioned any new bands like Saint Motel, who have been buzzing.

After all that, for me, what’s most impressive is In the Valley Below’s “Peaches.” In the sea of craziness, this record has earned top callout from KRBZ, Alt Nation and WLKK, and the new adds are even more impressive: KROQ, KNDD,KITS, KBZT, KXRK, WEQX KTWN and KRXP, to name a few.