The new year begins with a fresh NACC 200 chart-topper. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer Kurt Vile has reached the Top 10 of the NACC 200 numerous times, but has never been able to reach the top… until now. His new EP, Back To Moon Beach (Verve), was mostly recorded in 2019 and includes contributions from Vile’s recording partner Rob Laakso, who was also a member of his backing band the Violators. Laakso tragically passed away from cancer last May so this is certainly a nice honoring of his memory. The EP rises 3-1 on the NACC 200 this week.
One new album reaches the Top 10 of the NACC 200 this week. Our most recent highest-debut (and a recent most-added honoree as well) from Darksoft makes a big climb into the top tier, rising 26-8. Seattle-bred musician Bill Darksoft (who now resides in Portland, ME) scores his second straight Top 10 record with Greyscale (Spirit Goth). Also of note, Wilco rebounds back into the Top 10 for a second time this week, moving 13-9.
Los Angeles trio Health formed in 2005 and came to prominence with a remix of the song “Crimewave” from Crystal Castles. They released their own self-titled debut album in 2007. A number of LPs have followed, including Rat Wars (Loma Vista/Concord), their sixth studio album, released December 7. The album soars onto the NACC Heavy Chart at #1 this week and also scores the highest debut on the NACC 200, opening at #27.
This week’s biggest climb on the NACC 200 comes from Indianapolis singer-songwriters Kevin Krauter and Nina Pitchkites. The duo began in 2021 when Pitchkites moved back home from Philadelphia. They released their self-titled debut EP under the name Mana last year. They’ve now changed their name to Wishy for their second EP, Paradise (Winspear). The album races from 147-33 on the NACC 200 this week.
Boston trio Pile have returned with a new EP, Hot Air Balloon (Exploding In Sound), less than a year after their eighth studio album, All Fiction, was released. The five songs that make up this EP (which lands at #1 on this week’s NACC 200 Top 30 Adds Chart) were recorded as part of the same sessions of last year’s LP. Pile’s history dates back to 2007 as a then solo project for vocalist and guitarist Rick Maguire.
On our Halloween charts back on October 31, Brittany Howard reached #1 on the NACC Singles Chart with “What Now,” the first single from her upcoming second solo studio album of the same name, due February 2. She then waited patiently, most weeks right at #2 behind the big Beatles single that spent the next six week at #1. This week her patience pays off as she rises back 2-1 for a second week at #1. The Lemon Twigs leads an oversized 12 singles onto the NACC 200 Top 30 Adds Chart this week. “My Golden Years” is a Top 5 overall add just ahead of new singles from Mother Mother (a Top 10 Add), Youth Lagoon, The Bevis Frond, and Ducks Ltd., among others further down the chart.
