Music is a cultural indicator

Only last week did I realize that Soundscan statistics for specific cities in Canada are freely available on the internet.

Top albums for the past week in St. John's.


Albums Which Are Significantly More Popular Here

Hey Rosetta: Into Your Lungs
St John's: #1 (last week #1)
Canada: #156
Likely Reason For Discrepancy: Hey Rosetta! are local and beloved by locals who also probably enjoy such as The Arcade Fire.

Neil Diamond: Home Before Dark
St. John's: #5
Canada: #22
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: There is a disproportionate population of people with terrible taste in Newfoundland. Please note, 'Home Before Dark' may mark a stunning artistic zenith for Neil Diamond; I am judging him solely on his better-known Velveeta classics.

Hannah Montanna / Myley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert
St. John's: #6
Canada: #40
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Your guess is as good as mine, internet. I don't notice a disproportionate number of preteen girls running around here.

Barenaked Ladies: Snacktime
St. John's : #7 (last week #5)
Canada: #23
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Again, I am at a loss to theorize this.

Celtic Thunder: Celtic Thunder Show
St. John's: #8
Canada: #135
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Newfoundland is "the most Irish place in the world outside of Ireland;" file this with the Dictionary of Newfoundland English as proof.

Various Artists: Just the Hits 2008
St. John's: #9
Canada: #30
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Commercial radio in this city is excessive in its dedication to only play the most wretched of musical abortions, so compilations of the same are naturally very popular.

Kevin Collins: Just Call My Name
St. John's: #14 (last week #8)
Canada:: (did not chart)
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Another admired local, although a Venn diagram of Kevin Collins and Hey Rosetta! fans would likely have two one-foot diameter circles at opposite ends of a football field.
Bonus Trivia: The website incorrectly names the album "Just Call My Mane." I'm not sure how to feel about that.

Hannah Montanna 2: Meet Miley: CSoundtrack
St. John's: #19
Canada: #43
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Again? There is no excuse for this, St. John's.



Albums Which are Significantly Less Popular Here

The Lost Fingers: Lost in the 80's
St. John's: (did not make Top 20)
Canada: #6
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Huh? The Lost Fingers? Who?

Martin Renee: Heritage L
St. John's: (did not make Top 20)
Canada: #8
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Churchill Falls.

Duffy: Rockferry
St. John's (did not make Top 20)
Canada: #9
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: I can't say for sure, but I think it's a positive thing.

Weezer: The Red Album
St. John's: #11 (last week #2)
Canada: #4
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Newfoundland's Weezer fanbase is apparently much more polarized, or they didn't like the new album much. We've got a lower tolerance for 'ironic' self-aggrandizing, perhaps. A Newfoundlander will take you down a peg.

Madonna: Hard Candy
St. John's: #17
Canada: #7
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Local gay population more canny and discerning, as a whole.

Usher: Here I Stand
St. John's: #18
Canada: #5
Likely Reason for Discrepancy: Solid musical education programs in Newfoundland schools.