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HITS Daily Double
With Bush’s self-released single, “The Sound of Winter,” topping the Alternative chart for the third straight week, wonderers are wondering if this is the beginning of a trend for established acts going it on their own.

LENNY BEER ON RECORDS: THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO HMMM

Our Resident Pundit Ponders Columbia, Glassnote, the Grammys, L.A. Reid, Bush, BMG/Chrysalis, WB’s Peter Gray, L.A. Radio, Zooey Deschanel and Ryan Adams
1. So, while certain bloggers continue their horse-shit vendettas, Columbia Records once again tops the Album chart with #1, 2 and 5 in Casting Crowns, Adele and Tony Bennett.

2. Has anyone noticed that Mumford & Sons is edging closer to the two million sales mark? And with a hot buzzing Childish Gambino album about to hit retail and new albums from Temper Trap, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club and the aforementioned Mumfords in the new year, Daniel Glass’ Glassnote is heading for another sensational run. Anyone want to buy a hot indie? The price goes up every day..

3. With all the hoopla revving up for this year’s Grammy Awards, and Adele poised to sweep the board, the attention turns to a very competitive race in the Best New Artist category. Foster the People, Nicki Minaj and The Civil Wars lead a powerful freshman class on this year’s ballot. (Attention Ken Ehrlich: Make some real space on the show for this charismatic group of burgeoning superstars.)

4. Expect an announcement shortly on the winner of the much-coveted Presidential sweepstakes for L.A. Reid’s revitalized Epic Records.

5. With Bush’s self-released single, “The Sound of Winter,” topping the Alternative chart for the third straight week, wonderers are wondering if this is the beginning of a trend for established acts going it on their own.

6. BMG/Chrysalis honcho Laurent Hubert is fast becoming “the man to know” in the publishing world, and the leading contender for the EMI pubco sweepstakes.

7. New WB promo domo Peter Gray and his retooled staff flexed their muscles this week at Top 40 with Outasight’s Pepsi X Factor ditty. Now the pressure reverts to Messrs. Moscowitz and Cavallo to keep feeding the pipeline with talent.

8. Maybe it’s because I live in L.A. and my focus leans locally, but I am in awe of the continuing excellence in multiple station radio programming from Kevin Weatherly and Julie Pilat.

9. Pay attention to Zooey Deschanel. Not only does she have a hot TV show to go with her winning smile in movies, but her new Christmas album with the She & Him on Merge (yes, the Arcade Fire label) is the delight of the holiday season.

10. I’ve been listening to and enjoying the quiet beauty of the new Ryan Adams album. I suggest you do the same.