Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (March 15-21, 2020)

As the world starts to shut down due to COVID-19, one of the things we can take solace in is music. Luckily, in the midst of chaos, there is still new music being put out. This week saw some great new songs and music videos hit the internet, especially when it came to rock and pop music.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s hottest new tracks. Here are 7 (and a few more) that we think are worth revisiting as you socially-distance this weekend.

1.       Alkaline Trio, “Minds Like Minefields”: One of three new songs from Alkaline Trio’s surprise new EP,’E.P.,’ “Minds Like Minefields” is the kind of melodic, fast-paced pop-punk you would expect from the band. Matt Skiba’s haunting vocals add a heaviness to the song’s energetic instrumental melody, though not enough to weigh it down. The ghost-like gang vocals and scattered plunked piano notes during the breakdown add another layer to the track.  (video)

2.       Finneas, “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night”: Originally released in 2018, Finneas has released a video for ‘Blood Harmony’ track “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night.” The one-take video, similar to the ones for “I Lost A Friend” and “Shelter,” finds the singer/producer playing ukulele on a Los Angeles rooftop before getting up to interact with a troop of dancers. But it’s a visual that seems to work for his acoustic, heartfelt vibe. The song starts out acoustic with just the uke and Finneas’ vocals, then quickly picks up with the addition of a sparse, hand-clap-like beat guiding the ramped up pace. It’s very easy to listen and groove along to.  (video)

3.       Ben Gibbard, “Life During Quarantine”: Ben Gibbard has a way about his voice and songwriting that really tugs at the heartstrings. Written for the city of Seattle and performed during his daily live stream this week, “Life During Quarantine” speaks about the lack of being near the ones you love during these uncertain times. The gravity of the song evoked tears on first listen. (video)

4.       The Pretenders, “The Buzz”: The Pretenders announced a new album this week and gave fans a taste of what’s to come with its lead single “The Buzz.” The song sounds fresh and clear, bringing the band’s classic sound into today. Chrissie Hynde’s strong vocals lead the way over the upbeat, clean guitar melody and steady backbone rhythm section. (video)

5.       Devon, “Belong 2 U”: “Belong 2 U” is a feel-good pop-rock jam ready to get you through the isolation blues. Upbeat and catchy, the song bursts with big rock guitars and even bigger energy, making it almost impossible to resist the urge to get up and dance. (video)

6.       Deep Purple, “Throw My Bones”: The first single from Deep Purple’s upcoming ‘Whoosh!’ album, “Throw My Bones” is a heavy, swirling hard rock jam with a weighty bass line and noodle-y guitars. Ian Gillan’s haunting, blues-y vocals loom over it all prophetically, giving the song the call to action message he intends. (video)

7.       The Avalanches feat. Rivers Cuomo & Pink Siifu, “Running Red Lights”: “Running Red Lights” toes the line between melancholy and upbeat in such an easy way. The song is not so upbeat that it’s underlying topic of loss is unimaginable, but it doesn’t feel like a downer either. Cuomo’s voice works effortlessly with the aesthetic the band creates here. When Pink Siifu comes in near the end with a quote from David Berman’s Purple Mountains track “Darkness and Cold,” it all makes sense. There’s a heftiness to the song, but also a lightness to balance it out. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Waxahatchee, “Can’t Do Much”: (video)

·         The Radio Dept., “You Fear the Wrong Thing Baby”: (video)

·         Violent Soho, “Pick It Up Again”: (video)

This week saw a lot of good rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet amidst the pandemic at our doors. Being cooped up inside, there is no better time to take a look back at the week’s new music. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tunes you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Vinyl Bay 777 is your music outlet, an independent record shop devoted to bringing you a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in a variety of genres both in-store and on our website, vinylbay777.com. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we will be closed as of Sunday, March 22. We look forward to returning in the near future to help you with all your music needs. In the meantime, please stay safe and healthy. Rock on!

Seven Music Live Streams to Check Out While “Social Distancing”

COVID-19 has been ravaging the music industry, putting the concert industry at a stand-still as states close venues and artists cancel shows and other large gatherings in exchange for “social distancing.”

In lieu of concert halls with hundreds or thousands of people in attendance, a handful of artists have been making the leap to live streaming. An uptick in the practice started in the last week, with artists such as Code Orange, Cro-Mags, John Legend and more already clocking in time from their own homes. From singular artists “hanging out” with their fans through quiet social media gatherings to large festivals of multiple artists moving online, there is still way more to come.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has pulled together a list of some of the already announced live streams taking place over the next few weeks. Here are seven to look forward to while stuck at home.

1.       Ben Gibbard: Death Cab For Cutie / The Postal Service frontman Ben Gibbard will be live-streaming intimate sets from his home studio every day at 7PM Eastern on Facebook and YouTube. He started last night, playing a ten-song set of fan favorites and a cover of Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees.” Gibbard announced his plans on Tuesday, saying that fans can even expect special guests to “stop by digitally.” (Daily, 7PM Eastern, Facebook / YouTube)

2.       Christine and the Queens: Similarly to Gibbard, French singer/band Christine and the Queens will be live streaming on Christine’s Instagram at 6PM Eastern every day. According to a post on Twitter, “guests and weird concepts” will be included in the streams. The first stream featured a discussion with Charli XCX. (Daily, 6PM Eastern, Instagram)

3.       Shut In & Sing: Described on StageIt as “a group of songwriters joining forces to stay connected through music and community,” Shut In & Sing is an ongoing concert event launched by Kelly McCartney (‘Hangin’ & Sangin’ podcast) and singer/songwriter Natalia Zukerman featuring music from country, folk and Americana artists on a nightly basis. Artists range from the fairly well-known (such as Jill Sobule [3/21] and Lori McKenna [3/28]) to up-and-comers looking for a break. The first show starts Thursday and more are booked through April 11. All shows are pay-what-you-can. (March 19-April 11[so far], Times Vary, StageIt)

4.       Luck Reunion Festival: Initially slated to begin on Thursday (3/19), Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion Festival has moved from his backyard to the internet. ‘Luck Presents: ‘Till Further Notice’ will feature performances from Nelson and his sons, Margo Price, Jewel and more, as well as segments with “partners, charities, and makers that make up the cherished “Luck Family.” The show starts at 7PM Eastern on the Luck Reunion website, Twitch and Facebook. It is free, though a tip jar is available for those who want to donate to the artists. (March 19, 7PM Eastern, Luck Reunion/Facebook/Twitch)

5.       The Indigo Girls: After cancelling all of their March and April tour dates (including one right here on Long Island), The Indigo Girls will be taking to Facebook on Thursday for a “low key, home grown set of songs” and a “Q and A.” The stream is to celebrate the band’s upcoming album, ‘Look Long,’ out May 22. (March 19, 6PM Eastern, Facebook)

6.       Ultra Virtual Audio Festival: With Miami’s Ultra Music Festival cancelled, the festival is teaming up with SiriusXM to bring EDM fans a “virtual” alternative. The Ultra Virtual Audio Festival will be presented starting Friday (3/20) on the limited-run station UMF Radio. Artists joining the fest include Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Martin Garrix and Major Laser, among others. (March 20-23, 5PM Eastern, SiriusXM Channel 52)

7.       Neil Young: Announced on his Neil Young Archives site Monday that he plans to start streaming what he calls “Fireside Sessions” in the near future. Young’s wife Daryl Hannah will be filming the sets, describing it “a down-home production” with “a few songs,” and “a little time together.”

Now, more than ever, we need music to help us deal with the world in crisis.  These are just some of the artists and events who are attempting to bring people together through the power of music amidst the chaos. With the growing amount of restrictions being put in place, it’s only a matter of time before even more artists join the ones above in live streaming sets.

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Find music from many of these artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s largest independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (March 8-14, 2020)

Amidst the talk of COVID-19 and the cancellation of almost every upcoming tour, festival and event, new music continued to be released. Over the last week, a wealth of new songs and music videos has hit the internet, especially when it came to rock and pop music.

With the weekend here and the urge to self-quarantine high, it’s time to take a look at some of the new tracks released this week. Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island's music outlet, has been scouring the internet for some of the best. Here are eight (and a few more) of our favorites that we think are worth another listen.

1.       X Ambassadors, “Everything Sounds Like A Love Song”: A radio-ready pop-rock ballad, “Everything Sounds Like A Love Song” has a catchy melody and heartfelt soul. Starting out with just piano and vocals dominating the mix, the song swells as strings and horns are added. The saxophone bridge is bright and memorable, a highlight of the track. (video)

2.       Palaye Royale, “Lonely”: Approaching the difficult subjects of drugs, depression and suicide, “Lonely” is a haunting track with lyrics that are vivid and direct. The drum clicking is clock-like while the base boom and guitars give the melody a swirling, otherworldly feeling. (video)

3.       Anna Burch, “Tell Me What’s True”: “Tell Me What’s True” is a calming piano-driven track with a simple melody. Burch has a very soothing, clear voice that features strongly in the mix, holding its own against the piano. (video)

4.       Days N Daze, “My Darling Dopamine”: From the moment the horns come blasting in, “My Darling Dopamine” stuns with energy and grit. It’s a unique take on punk, edging somewhere between Celt-punk and oi. (video)

5.       The Fleshtones, “Alex Trebek”: “Alex Trebek,” written about the ‘Jeopardy’ host, gives off these old-school, melodic punk vibes that make it an interesting listen. The lyrics feel a little like Black Flag’s “TV Party,” but also a little like Joey Ramone’s “Maria Bartiromo.” It’s basically a biography of Trebek in a four-minute song and I don’t hate it. (video)

6.       The Killers, “Caution”: The Killers announced a new album this week and have treated fans to a taste of it with its first single, “Caution.” After a bit of a slow start, the song breaks out into this big acoustic-ish rock number, complete with soaring melody and lofty instrumental. (video)

7.       Brian Fallon, “Horses”: Despite being a softer sound than Fallon’s usual Americana rock fare, “Horses” is much more upbeat. His quiet, sincere vocal holds weight against the reserved guitar picking and steady drum beats. The melody picks up as the song progresses, developing into something hopeful and joyous. (video)

8.       Willie Nelson, “Our Song”: A slow country ballad, Nelson sweetly croons about his love on “Our Song.” The guitar has a classic feel, like a mix of old-time country and earnest pop vocalists like Bobby Darin. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Johanna Warren, “Part Of It”: (video)

·         Country Westerns, “Anytime”: (video)

·         Psychedelic Furs, “You’ll Be Mine”: (video)

·         Mundy’s Bay, “Seasons Pass”: (video)

·         Niall Horan, “Heartbreak Weather”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is a great time to take a respite and take a look back at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of different genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Songs Centered Around Time

This past weekend, much of the US forwarded our clocks by an hour to welcome the longer days of the upcoming spring season.

With the beginning of the year feeling like it was just yesterday and spring weather just around the corner, the switch to standard time has us thinking about time in general and its use in popular music. For many songs, whether wistfully or realistically, the artist recalls the passage of time. In others, it’s the telling of time, either celebrating it or neglecting it.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of these time-related songs. Here are seven spanning the gambit of time topics.

1.       Rocky Horror Picture Show, “The Time Warp”: Surprisingly, this show tune is pretty apt for talking about turning the clocks forward/back. Written by Richard O’Brien to mock dance songs, the loss of / gaining of an hour can feel like a strange time warp. (video)

2.       Bill Haley, “Rock Around The Clock”: Perhaps sleep isn’t your thing. Back in the 1950s, Bill Hayley’s “Rock Around The Clock” urged people to rock into the wee hours of the morning, neglecting time all together. (video)

3.       Semisonic, “Closing Time”: When Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson wrote “Closing Time,” he wanted it to have multiple meanings. In writing it before the birth of his first child, the “last call at a bar” lyrics took on the meaning of the child leaving the womb. But it’s also about passage of time, stating that when one things ends, something else can begin. (video)

4.       Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise, Sunset”: Another show tune, “Sunrise, Sunset” is sung during the wedding of Tevye’s first daughter. The song laments the passing of time with the character wondering how his daughter grew up so fast. (video)

5.       Five For Fighting, “100 Years”: A lot of songs about time are about its passage. Five For Fighting’s “100 Years” looks at time going forward. It’s about how when you’re young, you still you’re your whole life ahead and when you’re nearing the end, you’re just hoping for another moment. (video)

6.       Enya, “Only Time”: Nothing is certain in this world, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. Such is the premise of Enya’s only hit “Only Time.” Only time can tell what the future holds, you just need to let it happen. (video)

7.       Jim Croce, “Time In A Bottle”: A song about saving time, “Time In A Bottle” finds Croce wishing for more time with his girl. He wants to “bottle” time and save it because there isn’t enough of it. (video)

Time is a big theme in music, with a lot of songs lamenting how little there is and musing about its passing. Of course, there’s more light-hearted fare too, fighting the societal norms of when things can occur to stay up late and dance until you lose sense of time.

What are some of your favorite songs about time? Let us know in the comments below.

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Find your favorite time-related songs and more at Vinyl Bay 777! As one of Long Island’s top independent records shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, there’s always something to find during your time at Vinyl Bay 777.

Albums to Watch for in March 2020

March is here, which means a brand new month of new music. This month will see some big releases on the calendar, including long-awaited works from Mandy Moore, Boomtown Rats, Pearl Jam and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’re looking ahead at some of March’s most highly anticipated album releases. Here are eight that we think will be worth a listen.

1.       Mandy Moore, ‘Silver Landings’: It’s been 11 years since pop songstress Mandy Moore released her last album, ‘2009’s ‘Amanda Leigh.’ After having a successful acting career in the interim, Moore is back with ‘Silver Landings’ this week. The album is said to be very different than the bubblegum pop she came to prominence for, instead leaning more towards “something that feels sunshiny and airy and natural, something you could listen to driving up and down the PCH with all the windows rolled down on a beautiful weekend day.” (3/6)

2.       Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, ‘Blue Moon Rising EP’: The band’s fourth EP in a little over a year, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are set to release ‘Blue Moon Rising’ this week. The 5-track EP features three new songs (including one originally written for Oasis back in 2008) and two remixes. (3/6)

3.       Boomtown Rats, ‘Citizens of Boomtown’: Boomtown Rats have reunited and are releasing their first album of new music in 36 years this month. According to Rolling Stone, the album “has the classics Rats sound,” but “with many modern twists,” with frontman Bob Geldof adding, “We made this album for 2020.” That description is apt if you listen to the album’s first single “Trash Glam Baby,” as the song has a gritty rock sound reminiscent of 70s British punk. (3/13)

4.       Deap Lips, ‘Deap Lips’: Deap Vally & The Flaming Lips came together late last year to form Deap Lips with the collaboration releasing its debut self-titled album this month. Spin called the album’s debut single “Hope Hell High” a mix of “Deap Vally’s bombastic, sludgy rock sensibilities softened a bit by Coyne and Drozd’s psychedelic tendencies.” (3/13)

5.       Adam Lambert, ‘Velvet’: Though he has been spending a lot of time with Queen lately, Adam Lambert is moving forward in his solo career with his latest album, ‘Velvet.’ The album heads in a classic rock – funk direction, inspired by his work with the legendary band. Lead single “Roses” has a big feel, blending funk and pop in a warm, full way. (3/20)

6.       Brian and Roger Eno, ‘Mixing Colours’: The first collaborative album between famed producer Brian Eno and his brother, ambient composer Roger Eno, ‘Mixing Colours’ has been a long time coming (According to Pitchfork, some of the works on the album go back to 2005). Brian said of the album’s songs, “These pieces are very Impressionistic and very much to do with sonic quality, sonic colour.”  First single “Celeste” is a piano-driven instrumental piece with a relaxing tone and sunny feel. (3/20)

7.       Pearl Jam, ‘Gigaton’: Pearl Jam return this month with ‘Gigaton,’ their first album in 7 years. The music heads in a more eclectic, experimental direction, with guitarist Mike McCready saying in a statement that making the album “was emotionally dark and confusing at times, but also an exciting and experimental road map to musical redemption.” First single “Dance Of The Clairvoyants” is a different, more electronic sound than the band has opted for in the past, but still manages to rock hard. “Superblood Wolfmoon” changes direction again, this time heading towards garage-rock.  (3/27)

8.       Coriky, ‘Coriky’: Featuring Fuguzi’s Ian MacKaye and Joe Lally and The Evens’ Amy Farina, Coriky will be releasing their debut solo album together this month. First single “Clean Kill” is a laid-back jam with a rough-around-the-edges sound and almost ska-like cadence that breaks off into some chaos towards the end but finds its way back. The song could be forshadowing an album that might be a bit more melodic than what their previous bands are known for, but also just as brash and up-front as you’d expect. (3/27)

There are a lot of highly-anticipated albums heading to shelves in the month of March. From works years in the making to interesting collaborations and beyond, there is much to look forward to. Check out some of our new release picks above and let us know what new albums you’re excited to listen to in March.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Video You Need to Check Out (February 23-29, 2020)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This one was no exception as we saw a plethora of new songs and music videos hit the internet, vying for our collective attention. It was an especially good week for rock and pop, with Neck Deep, Four Year Strong, Gorillaz and Sheppard were among those who put out new tunes.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s best songs and music videos. Here are six (and a few more) of our favorites that we think are worth another listen this weekend.

1.       Neck Deep, “Lowlife”: UK pop-punk band Neck Deep have announced a new album, ‘All Distortions Are Intentional,’ and are back with a new single. “Lowlife” is rough around the edges instrumentally and lyrically, hitting on more of the traditional angry, disaffected youth punk attitude than the songs of ‘The Peace and the Panic.’ The band adds this element without losing the melodic and memorable qualities that got them noticed in the first place. (video)

2.       Sheppard, “Don’t Believe In Love”: Australian family band Sheppard move ever closer to the pop end of their pop-rock sound with “Don’t Believe In Love.” The choruses are upbeat and fun with as bit of the island-y groove that made their early work so great. George Sheppard’s falsetto verses are a bit more sullen, soulful and electronic-tinged. As a whole, it’s another very catchy track from the band. (video)

3.       Gorillaz feat. Fatoumata Diawara, “Desole”: The second in Gorillaz’s Song Machine project, “Désolé” has a cool, low-key tone and easy groove that balances electronic beats and worldly melody. Starting out rather minimal, the addition of horns and strings near the end makes the sound fuller without losing any of the effortlessness. (video)

4.       Four Year Strong, “Get Out Of My Head”: “Get Out Of My Head” is melodic hardcore at its catchiest. The rough, thrashing guitars and lightly gritty hardcore vocals are aggressive yet tuneful. It’s an earworm that will surely get stuck in your head. The video has this tongue-in-cheek, underground 90s-style quality to it, which makes this a great watch as well. (video)

5.       SZA & Justin Timberlake, “The Other Side”: “The Other Side” has a great groove and beat that feel both modern and mid-2000’s pop-R&B at the same time. It brings back memories of ‘Justified’-era Timberlake.” His and SZA’s vocals meld beautifully, like they were made to sing together. The song makes you want to get up and dance. (video)

6.       Luke Rathborne, “Ordinary Woes”: There’s a certain punk-y, garage-rock-y sound to “Ordinary Woes” I found really dragged me in. The song is lively and upbeat, led by fast-paced guitars and driving snare drum that keep it barreling along. (video)

Further Listening:

·         I’m Glad It’s You, “Big Sound”: (bandcamp)

·         Suicide Machines, “Anarchist Wedding”: (video)

·         Alanis Morissete, “Reasons I Drink”: (video)

·         Dave Godowsky, “Better Just To Be”: (video)

·         Taylor Swift, “The Man”: (video)

This week saw some great new rock and pop songs hit the internet. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take a look back at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new songs you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Vinyl Sales Continue to Grow, Streaming Dominates Music Industry in 2019

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a brief look at the RIAA, Nielsen and BuzzAngle’s Year-End numbers

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released their 2019 year-end report Tuesday. With Nielsen Music and BuzzAngle’s reports having come in January, we now have a more complete idea of what the music industry’s revenue and cultural trends were over the last year. A year of growth for the industry, streaming dominated the field while vinyl continued its rapid rise in the physical sales space.

In 2019, the music industry saw its fourth straight year of double-digit growth, taking in more than $11.1 billion in revenue, a 13% increase over 2018’s $9.8 billion.

Streaming was the biggest part of the revenue equation in 2019. Jumping nearly 20% over 2018’s numbers, the format ended the year with more than $8.8 billion in revenue. That means streaming now makes up 79.5% of all revenue brought in by the music industry. It also means, according to Billboard’s reporting, that streaming’s revenue exceeded the music industry’s yearly earnings for every year between 2008 and 2017. Much of that came from paid subscription services (Apple Music, Spotify’s paid tier), which grew by another 25% this year.

While streaming was popular in the US, video was an even more lucrative venture in the rest of the world. According to both Nielsen and BuzzAngle, YouTube outpaced paid services like Spotify and Amazon Music, especially when it came to genres like K-pop and Bollywood.

As for traditional sales, the numbers stayed relatively steady. While there was a dip, the RIAA reports it was only 0.6% over 2018, making up $1.15 billion of the year’s revenue. While CD sales once again dropped, this time 12%, they still made up the bulk of physical sales at $615 million. Vinyl continued to gain on CDs, though, rising 19% to take in $504 million in 2019, the only physical format to experience any gain. That’s the 14^th straight year of growth for the vinyl medium and puts it squarely in striking distance to potentially take over that dominating sales spot from CDs.

Digital sales took a nosedive, however. Following a trend that has been occurring for a few years now, digital single and album sales dropped 18%, taking in $856 million in 2019, the first time that number has dropped below $1 billion since 2006.

In total, digital (streaming and sales) made up 87.2% of the music industry’s 2019 revenue, physical sales made up 10.3% and synch royalties (radio) made up 2.5%.

According to Nielsen, Post Malone, Drake, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande were the year’s top-selling artists. Post Malone’s ‘Hollywood’s Bleeding’ took the top album spot (including track-equivalent albums and streaming-equivalent albums), however Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ topped total album sales, digital album sales and physical album sales for 2019. Vinyl sales continued to trend towards catalog album popularity with the Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ topping the list. Billie Eilish’s ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go,’ is the only current album in the vinyl top 10, coming in a number 2. Digital belonged to Lil Nas X’s single “Old Town Road” for both sales and on-demand streaming.

In terms of genre statistics, R&B and hip-hop were the most consumed overall. However, when it came to physical album and digital album and song sales, rock came out ahead.

The music industry experienced a lot of growth in 2019. Music consumption grew along with the increasing popularity of streaming. While sales have decreased again, especially in digital, vinyl continues to be a bright spot, gaining year-over-year for a 14-year high. These numbers point to a lot of change in the way we consume musical media and what we can expect to see in the future.

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Get your physical music fix at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres to suit the tastes of most music fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (February 16-22, 2020)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This one was no different as we saw a wealth of new songs and music videos hit the internet this week, especially when it came to rock and pop.

With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take a look back at some of the musical highlights of the week that was. Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, has once again scoured the internet for some of the hottest new tracks of the last seven days. Here are eight (and a few more) of our favorites that we think are worth a second listen.

1.       Waxahatchee, “Lilacs”: The mix of alt-country twang and folk-y indie-pop on “Lilacs” is bright and upbeat. It’s easy-going melody makes for a pleasant listen while the steady metronome-like beat is easy to follow. (video)

2.       The 1975, “The Birthday Party”: “The Birthday Party” is an ethereal track that contrasts the 80s feel of much of what The 1975 has been putting out lately. A more deconstructed kind of song (it lacks a chorus), the melody’s relaxing qualities mask the rather stressed lyrics about what Matty Healy has called “the interesting social minutiae of house parties.” The video portrays the relaxed aura of the song, using “digital detox” site mindshower as a jumping off point for a computer animated visual that looks like a 1990s Sims game filled with memes. (video)

3.       The Strokes, “Bad Decisions”: The Strokes continue their comeback with their latest single “Bad Decisions,” a garage-rock-tinged indie-rock track that sounds like the band at their early 2000s best. The 80s-inspired, upbeat melody borrows from Billy Idol’s “Dancing with Myself,” though the band puts it through their distinct sonic lens, making it feel both new and familiar at the same time. (video)

4.       Yves Tumor, “Gospel For A New Century”: “Gospel For A New Century” is an energetic track that mixes rhythmic soul with thrash-y rock guitars. The sound really jumps out and grabs a hold of your attention. (video)

5.       Ozzy Osbourne feat. Post Malone, “It’s A Raid”: The last single released before his new album, ‘Ordinary Man,’ was released this week, “It’s A Raid” finds Osbourne reuniting with Post Malone for an aggressive metal duet. It’s fast pace and thrash-y guitars make it one of the more chaotic songs on the album. The screaming crowd vocals at the beginning are a bit disconcerting, but add atmosphere to the hurried nature of the track. Malone adapts to the song’s harder tone, going to his deeper register in attempting to riff off Osbourne’s signature vocal. However, his back-up vocal role does more for the song than his verses do. (video)

6.       A. Swayze & the Ghosts, “Mess Of Me”: “Mess Of Me” is an upbeat, pummeling track that takes its inspiration from early punk/new wave and melds it with the more aggressive punk sounds of the 2000s/2010s. Think Iggy Pop filtered through Against Me!. (video)

7.       RVG, “I Used To Love You”: A song for falling out of love, “I Used To Love You” tries to reason with the realities of two people growing apart. The swirling, airy guitars make the melody feel very open. As the song progresses the emotion grows, becoming more passionate and intense. (video)

8.       Man Man, “Cloud Nein”: “Cloud Nein” is an upbeat track in tone and melody, though the lyrics aren’t as cheery, essentially telling someone that they’re “in denial.” It’s a very interesting play off the expression “on cloud nine,” using the phrase’s original meaning as the melody and the homonyms of “nine / nein” as the basis for the lyrics. The video is reminiscent of Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice,” with the older gentleman dancing around the street as if nothing were about to happen. (video)

Further Listening:

·         All Time Low, “Sleeping In”: (video)

·         5 Seconds Of Summer, “Old Me”: (video)

·         Sparks, “Self-Effacing”: (video)

·         Alanis Morissette, “Smiling”: (video)

·         The Amity Affliction, “Forever”: (video)

This week saw a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos vying for our attention. With the weekend here, now is a great time to look back at some of the best. Check out some of our favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Edison’s Phonograph and Its Impact on Music

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s Music Outlet, takes a brief look how the phonograph revolutionized how we listen to music

On February 19, 1878, a patent was issued for an invention that would revolutionize the way people would communicate for centuries to come. The invention, of course, was Thomas Edison’s phonograph.

Though the concept was not new (sketches of early devices had been found), Edison’s phonograph became the first to be put into practice. A groundbreaking machine, the device allowed someone to both record their voice and play it back. This idea would become the basis for all physical recordings through the 21^st century.

Edison’s first phonograph used an embossed diaphragm that made indentations on a piece of wax paper attached to a rapidly moving metal cylinder from the vibrations of a person speaking. He would later start recording to tin foil instead of the paper. A second diaphragm and needle unit on the machine was used to play the recording back.

Edison’s famous first recorded words? The nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

At the time, Edison knew this would be big, having brainstormed several ways this technology could be used by the public. In an article in the North American Review dated June 1878 (quoted in an article by the Library of Congress) he mentions such possibilities at dictation, audio books, music recordings, toys, answering machines and preservation of languages and sounds, among other ideas. Edison wasn’t far off, as many of these ideas came to fruition, especially recording music.

Obviously there were changes made over the years to improve the quality and availability of recordings, namely the switch to wax and the invention of discs to replace cylinders (which ultimately led to records and turntables). But the stage had been set, as listening and creating music would be changed forever. 

Phonographs brought music out of the concert hall and into the home, no personal musical ability required. It ushered in, as Smithsonian Magazine introduces it, “the beginnings of ‘on demand’ listening.” Someone could listen to a particular artist whenever they wanted, as many times as they wanted.

Because of this, listening also became less of a group activity and more of a personal journey. Defined genres started becoming a thing around this time as well, as phonographs were advertised as letting people each have their “own kind” of music. Listening to music has only gotten more and more personal as the years have progressed. While it has been argued recently that defined genres have been falling out of favor with the advent of streaming services, it has become even more common to see people with their headphones on immersed in the music on their digital device, enjoying music in an individualistic way.

Music itself changed as well. To comply with the limited amount of space on a cylinder, songs became shorter, usually two-three minutes. According to the same Smithsonian article, artists started writing for recording, giving examples of Igor Stravinsky’s “Serenade in A” and country and blues artists “chopp[ing] their tunes to perhaps one verse and two choruses.” While modern pop songs might be slightly longer (and, you know, full-length albums are a thing), the standard length of a song remains between three and five minutes to this day.

Over the last two centuries, the way we come to know music and listen to it has evolved. That is in no small part thanks to the phonograph player. The device let professional music come into the home and let people discover their individual tastes as independent listeners for the first time. Songwriting changed as well, developing the shorter song culture that is still standard form today. Even as technology continues to change the way we listen, the phonograph’s legacy remains an invaluable part of music’s history.

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Whatever form of technology you use to listen to physical music, Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered. As one of Long Island’s largest independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Week In Review: New Songs / Music Videos You Need to Check Out (February 9-15, 2020)

A lot of new music is released over the course of any given week. This one was no exception as the last seven days saw a wealth of new songs and music videos hit the internet. This was especially true when it came to rock and pop, as we saw releases from the likes of AJR, Billie Eilish, The Strokes and more.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, loves new music. That’s why we’ve once again scoured the internet for the week’s best new songs and music videos. Here are seven (and a few more) that we think are worth a second listen this weekend.

1.       AJR, “BANG!”: “BANG!” is a catchy piece of pop-rock with a head-bobbing beat that drives the song and keeps the listener’s interest throughout. The big, show-stopping melody builds off the pace of the beat (keeping time with the well-placed rhythmic snapping), bringing in island-y vibes with the added brass. (video)

2.       Billie Eilish, “No Time To Die”: Billie Eilish was given the honor of recording the next ‘ James Bond’ theme song, which was released this week. Eilish’s brother/producer Finneas really got the vibe on “No Time To Die” perfect, as it has that certain jazzy, dramatic, anthemic quality you expect in a ‘Bond’ theme. Surprisingly, Eilish’s fragile vocals work really well in the song’s dramatic context as well. I mean, obviously Finneas is good at writing for his sister’s voice, but as a ‘Bond’ theme, it doesn’t disappoint. (video)

3.       The Strokes, “At The Door”: The Strokes announced their first album in seven years, ‘The New Abnormal,’ and gave fans a taste of what they could expect with single “At The Door.” Surprisingly minimal for a band known for their garage-rock sound, the song mostly consists of Julian Casablancas’ mournful vocals and synth-y, electronic bursts and light piano. Casablancas carries the melody as the instrumentals swirl around him, building as the song progresses. (video)

4.       Falling In Reverse, “The Drug In Me Is Reimagined”: Falling In Reverse have revamped their 2011 breakout single “The Drug In Me Is You.” The revised song has this beautiful, haunting vibe that exchanges post-hardcore guitars for dramatic piano and sweeping cello. It feels like there’s more meaning drawn out from the slowed down melody. (video)

5.       The Used, “Paradise Lost”: The Used turn John Milton’s poem “Paradise Lost” into a ripping hardcore jam. Switching between soft and heavy vocals, Bert McCracken sings as the guitars buzz around Milton’s words. Sometimes the words and instrumentation stagger, at points letting the words take over for emphasis and at others letting the powerful instrumental carry the impact. (video)

6.       Brendan Benson, “Good To Be Alive”: “Good To Be Alive” finds itself at a crossroads between contemplating mortality and celebrating life for what it is. The song goes from contemplative indie-rock ballad in the verses to upbeat electronic dance track in the chorus twice in the span of four minutes, connecting the two hemispheres through shared percussion and electronic elements. (video)

7.       Grimes, “Delete Forever”: “Delete Forever” feels more like 90s alt-rock than her normal electronic fare. The acoustic guitar dominates the melody, really showing off Grimes’ vocals. The added violin flourishes give it a bit of an added alt-country vibe. (video)

Further Listening:

·         Set It Off, “One Single Second”: (video)

·         Hollywood Undead, “Upside Down”: (video)

·         Zachery Allan Starkey, “XXX”: (video)

·         Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, “Be Afraid”: (video)

·         The Bombpops, “Double Arrows Down”: (video)

·         Brian Fallon, “21 Days”: (video)

·         New Found Glory, “Greatest Of All Time”: (video)

·         Jacob Jeffries, “Let You Down”: (video)

There were a lot of great new rock and pop songs and music videos released this week. With the weekend here, now is the perfect time to take another listen. Check out some of favorites above and let us know what new tracks you’ve been digging this week in the comments below.

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Discover music new and old at Vinyl Bay 777. As one of Long Island’s top independent record shops, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. Whether you’re looking for something new to you or to rediscover the classics, we have you covered. And with more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.