Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’ debut album – iTunes Chart Performance in 7 countries

It’s OK honey, we’ll be rock stars someday…

Haim may have been ill-served by the hype surrounding them.~ Philip Matusavage

The rat pack of the music industry has been salivating and doing their weasel wiener dance (insert Redfoo from LMFAO’s “wiggle dance”) over the Haim’s trio. But in reality nothing on this album seems genuine in the least, there are some pleasant moments… much in the same way that a credit card commercial can make you smirk. I have a hard time believing that any artist could follow their muse to this sort of a sonic conclusion; if they’re not at least 25% money-motivated or manufactured by a manager/label/marketing company/department store, then I don’t want to live in this world anymore.

No matter how hard the hype machine pushed forward the geeky sisters, it’s the public who decided whether to listen or not to the sisters’ debut album or just to that song they found entertaining.  France kept the album in the charts 3 days, Italy, two days; Canada 53 days, Spain 3 days, Australia 107 days, the UK, their adoptive country, 68 days and in the U.S., the trio’s native country,  57 days.  Clearly, the group is lacking something.

It seems that touring with Phoenix didn’t help Haim much to charm the french,  and the sisters did pretty bad in Italy, with the highest position remaining 92 from beginning to end.  Australia and the UK seem to be the countries where Haim have more fans.

Writer Andy Gill of  The Independent was criticized by his peers for “giving a less enthusiastic review” of the sisters’ Days Are Gone album.  Gill gave the album three out of five stars, saying that the band has an “insubstantiality” at their core:

“Given their status as BBC Sound Of 2013 poll-winners, it’s hard not to feel somewhat underwhelmed by Haim’s debut album. The LA girl group are pleasant enough – though early descriptions of them as a folk/R&B crossover are absurdly wide of the mark – but there’s an insubstantiality at their core. They plug unashamedly into their West Coast heritage: sleek with a veneer of mystique, “Falling” could be a Fleetwood Mac outtake, but the pop-rock of “Forever” and “The Wire” brings to mind the likes of The Bangles and The Go Gos. Even when they attempt something a bit more outré, like the contrast of lumbering drums with sleek harmonies in “My Song 5″, it sounds like something off Tusk. Okay, but not much more.”

In his review of Days are Gone, Philip Matusavage of musicOMG stated:

It’s somewhere in the middle of Days Are Gone’s third track (and recent single) The Wire that you realise just how atypical Haim are as a 2013 buzz band. Feted by acts as diverse as The xx and Katy Perry, the Californian band has appeared in endless promo shots which look lifted straight from Hipstamatic while being the name on the lips of taste makers for well over a year.  It’s something of a surprise, then, to hear them sounding like mega-selling country-pop star Shania Twain. Sure, there are far more credible names that could be dropped with regards to The Wire – like much of the album it’s produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, known for his work with Usher and Vampire Weekend, while its stomping country-rock owes much to The Eagles (specifically Heartache Tonight). Nonetheless, the resemblance to Twain’s 1999 smash (and mainstay of hen parties) Man! I Feel Like A Woman! is unavoidable.

This isn’t, of course, necessarily a bad thing, not least because the band clearly shares a massive influence with Twain. The imprint of Fleetwood Mac is clear in most of the album – more specifically, Fleetwood Mac led by Christine McVie, whose frictionless vocals find an echo in main Haim singer Danielle. Further to this, much of Days Are Gone owes a debt to the glossy MOR of McVie’s Tango In The Night singles (of which Everywhere and Little Lies are the most famous).

Still, if the comparison is inescapable it’s also somewhat refreshing in an era where much mainstream pop follows the same deadening EDM template. Haim also escape accusations of imitation by placing a sparse, inventive rhythm at the heart of their music – an influence the band attributes to the r&b influences of acts like TLC and Destiny’s Child. This cross-fertilisation fits neatly with current trends (it certainly explains the adoration of The xx) and undoubtedly played a large part in the hyperbolic reception afforded to Haim’s first single Forever, a sugary rush which rides on clattering percussion and tight harmonies. Several songs here follow the same pattern: the thrilling Falling adds poppy cries of ‘hey!’ and a wall of vocals to strong effect but elsewhere (as on Don’t Save Me) the formula grows stale.

Indeed, while Haim are undeniably appealing in small doses, there is something lacking over the course of a whole album. The tasteful synths and FM choruses run into one another and ultimately feel flat – you could say that the album needs a bit of Stevie Nicks grit to coarsen Danielle’s McVie silk. Certainly when main vocals are handed over to sister Alana on the album’s title track (co-written by Jessie Ware)  the results are inspired, with her more textured voice lending personality to a dance-oriented number which has a main synth line seemingly borrowed from Tom Tom Club. The penultimate Let Me Go is also a standout, beginning starkly before building furiously into a convincingly atmospheric portrayal of an obsessive, almost deranged relationship. Elsewhere, however, the efforts at variation can feel somewhat forced, with the oscillating vocal lines and busy, foreboding backing of My Song 5 sounding like a Fiona Apple tribute act. The shuffling sweetness of Honey & I is enjoyable enough, though it sounds uncannily like Indigo Girls (and causes you to realise that Danielle Haim’s voice is also reminiscent of that band’s Emily Saliers).

Haim’s stock has risen far on the basis of a few singles and an EP. Days Are Gone reveals that these compact formats are the best way to experience the band. Stretched to album length, Haim’s shtick grows repetitive and the music is too frequently solid rather than inspired. There is potential in this power pop, but Haim need to develop further, and may have been ill-served by the hype surrounding them.

FRANCE

Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’
French iTunes Chart Performance

“Days Are Gone”: Chart Statistics

• Release date: 27 Sep 2013
• Chart debut: #60 (30 Sep 2013) (low)
• Highest Position: #60 (30 Sep 2013) (low)
• Most recent chart position: #97 (01 Oct 2013) (down)
• Days on French Albums Chart: 3 Days

Detailed Chart Progress for “Days Are Gone” (Haim)

French Albums chart performance history for Days Are Gone

Year	Month	Day	Position	Movement	Number 1
2013	Sep	30 Mon	60	new	Stromae Racine Carrée
2013	Oct	1 Tue	97	down

ITALY

Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’
Italian iTunes Chart Performance

“Days Are Gone”: Chart Statistics

• Release date: 27 Sep 2013
• Chart debut: #92 (30 Sep 2013) (down)
• Highest Position: #92 (30 Sep 2013) (didn’t move)
• Most recent chart position: #92 (30 Sep 2013) (didn’t move)
• Days on Italian Albums Chart: 2 Days

Italy Detailed Chart Progress for “Days Are Gone” (Haim)

Italian Albums chart performance history for Days Are Gone

Year	Month	Day	Position	Movement	Number 1
2013	Sep	30 Mon	92	new	Alessandra Amoroso Amore puro

AUSTRALIA

Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’ Chart Statistics
Australian iTunes Chart Performance

 Album Release date: 27 September 2013

• Chart debut: #88 (05 Aug 2013)
• Highest Position: #2 (27 Sep 2013) (up)
• Most recent chart position: #43 (25 Nov 2013) (down)
• Days on Australian Albums Chart: 107 Days
  

Chart Progress Graph:

Detailed Chart Progress for “Days Are Gone” (Haim)

Australian Albums chart performance history for Days Are Gone

Year	Month	Day	Position	Movement	Number 1
2013	Aug	5 Mon	88	new	Lorde The Love Club – EP
		6 Tue	24	up
		7 Wed	17	up
		8 Thu	23	down
		9 Fri	27	down	RÜFÜS Atlas
		10 Sat	31	down
		11 Sun	33	down	Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac: Greatest Hits
		12 Mon	37	down
		13 Tue	31	up	RÜFÜS Atlas
		14 Wed	39	down	Lady GaGa ARTPOP
		15 Thu	40	down	RÜFÜS Atlas
		16 Fri	57	down	Boy & Bear Harlequin Dream
		17 Sat	79	down
		18 Sun	73	up
		19 Mon	89	down
		23 Fri	74	re-entry	John Mayer Paradise Valley
		24 Sat	69	up
		25 Sun	92	down
		26 Mon	76	up
		27 Tue	71	up
		28 Wed	87	down	Katy Perry PRISM
		29 Thu	96	down	Various Artists triple j House Party, Vol. 2
		30 Fri	73	up	Ariana Grande Yours Truly
		31 Sat	84	down
2013	Sep	1 Sun	84	no-move	Vance Joy God Loves You When You’re Dancing – EP
		2 Mon	73	re-entry
		3 Tue	67	up
		4 Wed	80	down	Bethel Music Tides
		5 Thu	74	up	Arctic Monkeys AM
		6 Fri	83	down
		9 Mon	94	re-entry
		10 Tue	66	up
		11 Wed	73	down
		12 Thu	86	down
		13 Fri	94	down	Avicii True
		15 Sun	82	re-entry	Keith Urban Fuse
		16 Mon	94	down
		17 Tue	76	up	Avicii True
		18 Wed	67	up	Various Artists So Fresh: The Hits of Spring 2013
		20 Fri	76	re-entry	Kings of Leon Mechanical Bull
		21 Sat	61	up	Drake Nothing Was the Same
		22 Sun	55	up
		23 Mon	38	up
		24 Tue	37	up
		25 Wed	28	up
		26 Thu	15	up
		27 Fri	2	up	Lorde Pure Heroine
		28 Sat	2	no-move
		29 Sun	3	down
		30 Mon	3	no-move
2013	Oct	1 Tue	5	down	Hillsong Young & Free We Are Young & Free
		2 Wed	4	up	Lorde Pure Heroine
		3 Thu	3	up
		4 Fri	12	down	Miley Cyrus Bangerz
		5 Sat	8	up	Lorde Pure Heroine
		6 Sun	7	up
		7 Mon	8	down
		8 Tue	4	up
		9 Wed	4	no-move
		10 Thu	9	down
		11 Fri	9	no-move	Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt
		12 Sat	8	up
		13 Sun	9	down	Lorde Pure Heroine
		14 Mon	9	no-move
		15 Tue	12	down
		16 Wed	13	down
		17 Thu	11	up
		18 Fri	16	down	Various Artists Triple J – Like a Version 9
		19 Sat	17	down
		20 Sun	19	down
		21 Mon	20	down
		22 Tue	25	down
		23 Wed	25	no-move
		24 Thu	27	down
		25 Fri	23	up	Katy Perry PRISM
		26 Sat	21	up
		27 Sun	35	down
		28 Mon	34	up
		29 Tue	33	up
		30 Wed	25	up
		31 Thu	29	down
2013	Nov	1 Fri	39	down	Arcade Fire Reflektor
		2 Sat	31	up	Katy Perry PRISM
		3 Sun	36	down
		4 Mon	41	down	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP2
		5 Tue	37	up
		6 Wed	27	up
		7 Thu	24	up
		8 Fri	37	down	Lady GaGa ARTPOP
		9 Sat	43	down	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP2
		10 Sun	43	no-move
		11 Mon	34	up
		12 Tue	28	up
		13 Wed	26	up
		14 Thu	26	no-move
		15 Fri	39	down	Dami Im Dami Im
		16 Sat	32	up
		17 Sun	34	down
		18 Mon	35	down
		19 Tue	40	down	One Direction Midnight Memories
		20 Wed	34	up
		21 Thu	33	up	Various Artists Ministry of Sound – The Annual 2014
		22 Fri	57	down	Bernard Fanning iTunes Session
		23 Sat	53	up	Various Artists Ministry of Sound – The Annual 2014
		24 Sun	48	up	One Direction Midnight Memories
		25 Mon	43	up

Latest Australian Albums Top 10

• 1 One Direction – Midnight Memories
• 2 One Direction – Midnight Memories
• 3 Various Artists – Ministry of Sound – The Annual 2014
• 4 Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2
• 5 The 12th Man – Willy Nilly – The 12th Man’s Biggest Hits, V
• 6 Various Artists – So Fresh: The Hits of Summer 2014 + Best of 2013
• 7 Bernard Fanning – iTunes Session
• 8 Avicii – True
• 9 Lorde – Pure Heroine
• 10 Various Artists – Ministry of Sound Presents Chillout Sessions XVI

UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA

Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’ Chart Statistics
U.S.  iTunes Chart Performance

Chart Statistics

• Release date: 30 Sep 2013
• Chart debut: #70 (06 Aug 2013) (low)
• Highest Position: #4 (30 Sep 2013) (up)
• Most recent chart position: #6 (24 Nov 2013) (down)
• Days on US Albums Chart: 57 Days
  

U.S. Chart Progress Graph

Detailed Chart Progress for “Days Are Gone” (Haim)

US Albums chart performance history for Days Are Gone

Year	Month	Day	Position	Movement	Number 1
2013	Aug	6 Tue	70	new	The Civil Wars The Civil Wars
		7 Wed	76	down
		14 Wed	99	re-entry	Luke Bryan Crash My Party
2013	Sep	25 Wed	96	re-entry	Drake Nothing Was the Same
		26 Thu	90	up
		27 Fri	85	up
		28 Sat	89	down
		29 Sun	79	up
		30 Mon	4	up	Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2
2013	Oct	2 Wed	4	no-move
		3 Thu	5	down	Lorde Pure Heroine
		4 Fri	5	no-move
		5 Sat	5	no-move
		6 Sun	5	no-move
		7 Mon	5	no-move
		8 Tue	22	down	Miley Cyrus Bangerz
		9 Wed	20	up
		10 Thu	22	down
		11 Fri	22	no-move	Glee Cast The Quarterback – EP
		12 Sat	23	down	Miley Cyrus Bangerz
		13 Sun	20	up
		14 Mon	24	down
		15 Tue	47	down	Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt
		16 Wed	48	down
		17 Thu	44	up
		18 Fri	42	up
		19 Sat	38	up
		20 Sun	33	up	Lorde Pure Heroine
		21 Mon	36	down
		22 Tue	69	down	Katy Perry PRISM
		23 Wed	70	down
		24 Thu	55	up
		25 Fri	57	down
		26 Sat	57	no-move
		27 Sun	62	down
		28 Mon	58	up	One Direction Midnight Memories
		29 Tue	88	down	Arcade Fire Reflektor
		30 Wed	81	up	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2
		31 Thu	86	down
2013	Nov	1 Fri	86	no-move
		2 Sat	66	up
		3 Sun	72	down
		4 Mon	81	down
		8 Fri	98	re-entry
		13 Wed	88	re-entry	Lady GaGa Artpop
		14 Thu	80	up	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP2
		15 Fri	78	up
		16 Sat	82	down
		17 Sun	74	up
		18 Mon	82	down
		19 Tue	83	down	Various Artists The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
		20 Wed	66	up	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP2
		21 Thu	60	up
		22 Fri	41	up
		23 Sat	39	up
		24 Sun	6	up	One Direction Midnight Memories

CANADA

Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’
Canadian iTunes Chart Performance

“Days Are Gone”: Chart Statistics

• Release date: 30 Sep 2013
• Chart debut: #85 (26 Sep 2013)
• Highest Position: #2 (30 Sep 2013) (up)
• Most recent chart position: #14 (24 Nov 2013) (down)
• Days on Canadian Albums Chart: 53 Days
  

Chart Progress Graph

Detailed Chart Progress for “Days Are Gone” (Haim)

Canadian Albums chart performance history for Days Are Gone

Year	Month	Day	Position	Movement	Number 1
2013	Sep	26 Thu	85	new	Drake Nothing Was the Same
		30 Mon	2	re-entry	Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2
2013	Oct	1 Tue	4	down
		2 Wed	4	no-move	Lorde Pure Heroine
		3 Thu	5	down
		4 Fri	5	no-move
		5 Sat	6	down
		7 Mon	7	down
		8 Tue	20	down	Miley Cyrus Bangerz
		9 Wed	20	no-move
		10 Thu	21	down
		11 Fri	25	down	Glee Cast The Quarterback – EP
		12 Sat	26	down	Miley Cyrus Bangerz
		13 Sun	27	down	Lorde Pure Heroine
		14 Mon	24	up
		15 Tue	42	down	Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt
		16 Wed	60	down
		17 Thu	45	up
		18 Fri	35	up
		19 Sat	36	down
		20 Sun	49	down	Lorde Pure Heroine
		21 Mon	37	up	Lou Doillon Places
		22 Tue	52	down	Katy Perry PRISM
		23 Wed	43	up
		24 Thu	53	down
		25 Fri	32	up
		26 Sat	35	down
		27 Sun	62	down
		28 Mon	41	up
		29 Tue	100	down	Arcade Fire Reflektor
		30 Wed	80	up
		31 Thu	86	down
2013	Nov	1 Fri	90	down
		3 Sun	94	re-entry
		4 Mon	59	up	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2
		5 Tue	71	down
		6 Wed	83	down
		8 Fri	100	re-entry
		9 Sat	99	up
		12 Tue	90	re-entry	Lady GaGa Artpop
		13 Wed	61	up	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP2
		14 Thu	63	down
		15 Fri	42	up
		16 Sat	46	down
		17 Sun	31	up
		18 Mon	43	down
		19 Tue	56	down	François Pérusse L’album du peuple – tome 9
		20 Wed	68	down
		21 Thu	80	down	Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP2
		22 Fri	85	down
		23 Sat	79	up
		24 Sun	14	up	One Direction Midnight Memories

SPAIN

Haim – ‘Days Are Gone’
Spanish iTunes Chart Performance

“Days Are Gone”: Chart Statistics

• Release date: 27 Sep 2013
• Chart debut: #23 (30 Sep 2013)
• Highest Position: #23 (30 Sep 2013) (didn’t move)
• Most recent chart position: #81 (01 Oct 2013) (down)
• Days on Spanish Albums Chart: 3 Days
  

Detailed Chart Progress for “Days Are Gone” (Haim)

Spanish Albums chart performance history for Days Are Gone

Year	Month	Day	Position	Movement	Number 1
2013	Sep	30 Mon	23	new	Dani Martín Dani Martín
2013	Oct	1 Tue	81	down	Els Pets L’àrea petita