IVANA SEES THE DARKNESS TURN TO LIGHT
SHE WANTS TO MOVE
Greetings from my office at HITS, where every Tuesday is Fat Tuesday. I’m feeling somewhat bludgeoned physically, emotionally and mentally, so I will err on the side of brevity, as levity seems unlikely.
Although I’ve been a bit under the weather (cue Travis’ "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?"), there’s no way I’m missing the Stills show at the Troubadour on Thursday night. I’ve grounded myself from all extracurricular activities prior to the gig (which was made easier once my beloved J.C. Chasez’s record release party was cancelled), so I’ll be in some semblance of good health (at least physically). "Still in Love Song" is one of those rare songs that instantly turned me into an uber-fan the first time I heard it. Maybe I was influenced by my pals in Interpol also being fans of The Stills, but I prefer to think my response was authentic, as I like to think of myself as an arbiter, rather than follower. There’s also the possibility I’m having a delusional episode, in which case, let’s just look at the facts: Atlantic’s brilliant promo team launched "Still in Love Song" to Most Added this week, including KNRK, CIMX, WSUN, WROX, WWCD, WZTA, KRBZ, WZNE and KHRO! Anyone who subjects themselves to the torture of trying to get records played knows that most of these guys aren’t known for being what you’d call "first week." I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a Canadian band since Zumpano!
I keep looking out of my office window onto Ventura Blvd. for any visible sign that hell has frozen over. It’s the only reason I can fathom why Lenny Diana finally added The Darkness at WEDG this week, as logic and empirical evidence had failed miserably up to that point. Sales of Permission to Land exceed 40k this week and the band’s upcoming tour is beyond sold-out. You can’t deny the power of a great falsetto, an undeniable chorus and a spandex catsuit. That’s why Ron, Bonnie and Kris are so good at what they do.
Have you noticed how many fantastic new records are currently being worked at PoMo, or have you been too busy adding depth tracks by (insert overrated ’90s band here) to focus? RCA is in the thick of it with the new Strokes single, the ongoing Foo Fighters project, as well as the completely genius Stellastarr* single, "My Coco," which found friends this week at KNRK, 91X, WZNE, WBUZ, WFNX, WWCD, KRBZ and more! Chris Woltman should also be hailed for being one of Maroon 5’s biggest cheerleaders, as that band continues its certain ascent to multi-platinum. Chris and his team are readying the release of the Velvet Revolver single, "Slither," which has radio in a lather of anticipation.
Yesterday’s sick day was spent watching judge shows on TV without the sound (I’m obsessed with Divorce Court) while listening to music. In heaviest rotation was the import of the Muse CD, Absolution, which I think is an absolute prog-rock masterpiece. It’s funny how one ascribes their own personal references to music they like—I listen to Muse and immediately think of ELP, UK, Yes and other bands likely to make the members of Muse wretch, while Rob Goldklang says it reminds him of early Jane’s Addiction. I’m sure that what made me fall in love with this record has no relevance to KNDD, where "Time is Running Out" has been in Power for nine weeks and is the station’s biggest audience "passion" record. The aforementioned Goldklang has set an add date for March 9, with the domestic street-date set for March 23. I should have call-out from my in-home play as soon as my cats analyze the data.
Bill Carroll and his Elektra posse had another genius week on Jet’s "Cold Hard Bitch," including WBCN, WEDG, WRZX, WEND, WOCL, WDYL and a host of others who want, no wait, need to play two songs by this band. Bill and the gang also had a stellar week on Blindside’s "All of Us," including KXTE, WSUN, WAQZ, WFXH and KMBY, building upon the success CIMX, KRBZ, KCXX and WRZX are already having with this track. I like Blindside, I just hate being "blindsided."
Our friends at MTV2 added the Vines’ video this week, as "Ride" continues to, well, ride up the PoMo charts. Ted Volk, my friend, my life coach, my favorite philosopher, and his trusted cohorts, had another double-digit add week, including WEDG (next thing you know, Lenny Diana will be programming a "White Stripes Weekend"). If you shift your gaze slightly to the left, you’ll notice that Yellowcard has re-entered the Post Modern Chart, as "Ocean Avenue" becomes a PoMo hit that SELLS CDS. Imagine that, we might all still have jobs in a year!
It wasn’t my ongoing low-grade fever that compelled me to dance around my office this afternoon, rather it was the news that WBCN and KEDJ added Hoobastank’s "The Reason." This unmitigated SMASH is immediately Top 5 phones at stations both "world-famous" and "non-monitored."
Do whatever you have to do to get Greg Seese to send you a copy of the Elefant video for "Misfit." When I say that singer Diego is one of the most charismatic lead singers to emerge in YEARS, I’m deliberately understating his appeal. What a concept—the format understanding the value of ROCK STARS.
SONG TO HEAR: Modest Mouse’s "Float On"
PEOPLE TO WATCH: I’m watching Judge Judy—leave me alone!
