He's Dead Jim - Head Like A Toyshop

Aberdeen's He's Dead Jim return and you are as always in for quite a journey. Variety may very well be the spice of life and if so then Head Like A Toyshop is very very spicy. Melodically and without missing a beat they switch from genre to genre with ease.

On the odd song you can compare them to other bands that we like who are similarly able to offer considerable depth such as Spygenius and Emperor Penguin, but this lot take it to extremes. Don't dare to try to label them because the next song will be nothing like your nailed genre.

Let's offer up some examples. Paradise Fayre is top notch Toytown yet Ticket To Explode could Pete Wylie Wylie and WAH!. Wire Buddha could is West Coast Jangle and heads towards fellow Scots Teenage Fanclub.

Haywire is splendid 70s UK New Wave, but Tomorrow Is Yesterday mixes The Farm with big 70s funky Pop Rock.Why I Gave Up mixes Stiff Records and Marmalade with some wonderful Brass. There is even a Part Two which is very different, all Folk with a touch of INXS and a cracking vocal from Jenny Channel.

On The Beach gets all Undertones, whilst Seventh Night Of Sin gets all 1 2 3 Classic Power Pop. Adam Eternal is classic 60s Psych Beat and Back To You follows a similar direction is followed, but with a more modern slant. Swim To Oblivion sounds very 1978, but also gets close to another Scottish band, The Supernaturals.

There is even a faithful rendition of Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear The Reaper. I've embedded three tracks as always, but these could have been any of the others and don't tell you enough about how great this album. It takes astounding talent to make an album half as good as this. Feast you ears!

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on CD and as a download.

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Listening To This Week Playlist

A really strong week with 33 selections for your aural pleasure. Some familiar faces, but largely as is our aim, artists that haven't appeared before.

I do hope that you can listen to all the songs across this week. The last listed is as great as the first and you have plenty of time to listen. This weekly playlist is solely for submissions, not the usual stuff that we dig out ourselves. 

All embeds open in new windows to aid scrolling. Links to the artists will also appear on I Don't Hear A Single Social Media sites over the next 24 hours. This will help you to discover more about the artists who appear here. 

Elena Rogers - Trying Always Trying

He's Dead Jim - Paradise Fayre

Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Little Fears

Tunnel Trash - Someplace

Jumbo Chords - Throw Away (Buy Another One)

The Jellybricks - Dreaming In Stereo

Chris Church - Sit Down

Lunavela - Lavender Haze

Oohrami - Mess

Cmon Cmon - Turn Off The Lights

The Tubs - Freak Mode

Disco Nexus - Menina da Consolacao

Gyasi - Lightnimg

The Vapors - Hit The Ground Running

Tom Henry - Art House

Borderlines - Okay, Socrates

Forty Foot - Operator

Jonnythefirth - Happy When Sad

The Vices - Before It Might Be Gone

Martin Leary - Butterflies

Lilac Attitude - Childish Brains

Gentle Hen - It Only Takes A Little Words

The Electorate - Peace Love And Kindness

Flyin' Hot Saucers - Fried Man's Eyes

DESU TAEM - Justify Yourself

Saxon Mother - Big Shot

Saxon Mother · Big Shot

Lia Sky - World Of Socializers

Jacob D. Edward - Self Portrait

Daniel Feinberg - Tell It All

Daniel Feinberg · Tell It All

Paul Linton - Down The Lane

The 2 Plus 2 Club - Echoes In The Void

The 2 + 2 Club · Echoes In The Void

Shooble - Subtle Rhymes

Kohei - Shelter

Kōhei · Shelter

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Elena Rogers - Always Trying EP

 

I only have to ask myself one question. How did I not know about her before this EP. particularly with Jamie Hoover being involved, who is more than well known to us? If a song had not been sent in as a submission for the Listening To This Week Playlist, I would probably still be in the dark.

Apart from realising that I don't know or hear everything under my own steam, this is one of the rare times that an artist hits the bullseye here. It is everything that we love in spades, Intelligent Pop, Prog, Psych Pop, Indie and the arrangements are quirky, unexpected and totally enthralling. 

It did have me questioning how well we support female artists, whether solo or leading a band. We've never been accused of being male dominated, but we sort of are, despite our success with the likes of Tamar Berk, The Beths and Corner Laughers. It isn't our intention ever to be sexist, personally I think it's the material that we get in, but maybe I would say that.

In defence here, Elena Rogers is not like any other female artist that I've heard. When I think of Prog and Psych in particular, female vocalists tend to go for shouty vocals or something whispering and ethereal, neither which would appeal to us.

The arrangements across the four songs would take a listener a week to direct. Complex, yet incredibly melodic. Direction changing in an instance. The song that I was sent is the opener Trying Aways Trying is mind-blowing. It is like five songs in one and particularly Toytown.

Technical Thing is a little more straight ahead, certainly lyrically and it is incredibly adept. There's a circus atmosphere to the arrangement with a particularly wonderful brass arrangement. It comes across as more personal, but still has all the tricks and quirks in what Rogers does.

A Little Bit Of Lovely changes tack big time. More Indie Pop, New Wave maybe, but unbelievably catchy and sassy. The Way I Feel Inside is almost a ballad, a show song even. The most accessible song on display and more vocal led showing the full variety of Rogers's talent.

Always Trying is an absolute identikit of the music that we adore. It may struggle elsewhere with listeners who want to label music. But listeners here are far more adaptable and when they hear great know it. I'm off to listen to all of the back catalogue. It's very rare for me to embedall four songs of an EP in the review, usually just two, so you can tell how highly I rate this release.

You can listen to and buy the EP here.

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Borderlines - Repair Kit EP

 

Two EPs tonight, both caught my attention via the upcoming Listening To This Week playlist. Unknown to me prior to that listen, I decided to dig further to the releases that both were on and it really is so fulfilling and it was originally part of starting LTTW was about as well as offering up single songs on what is predominantly a home for Album Reviews.

Borderlines are from Portland Maine and the quartet call themselves Pop Punk veterans. Although this wonderful EP has far more in common with the new breed of slightly more aggressive Power Pop that has grown considerably over the past year or two.

This would sort of fit into a narrative I've preached for a while that as Pop Punk bands mature, they become less in your face and more suited to both Guitar Pop and Indie Rock. That isn't true in all cases and many bands don't survive the journey, but those that do offer up great melodic and all together now songs.

Cut You Out blasts in with its big hook and storming rhythm section and certainly gets you in the mood. OK Socrates was the song recommended and is more scuzzy, a little Replacements like at times with a UK New Wave 70s Riff and a 90s Sound, it is a stormer of a song enhanced by a cracking solo.

Not Our Fault is more in your face, a bit more Green Day with a killer chorus that you can imagine to be a big crowd singalong live. Another incendiary solo is included. Tragedy is the shorter closer, a little more Pop Punk, a little more punk too instrumentally.

All four songs will float the boat of lovers of the new Power Pop, but fans of Pop Punk, Indie Rock and melodic songs will adore this two. It is also available as a 7 Inch EP in three colours. What's not to like? A crying listen from a band who know what they are about!

You can listen to and buy the album here.You can buy the 7 Inch Vinyl EP here.

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Shining Glass - Yellow And Purple

 

It is always pleasant to have a break from the riffs and solos to listen to something inventive and gentle. Tucson Arizona's Drew Johnson's Shining Glass Project provides exactly that with the aid of five musicians that include someone well known to us.

Roger Joseph Manning Jr is part of Shining Glass, adding Piano and Keyboards across the mini album. An album that offers outstanding arrangements that are hypnotic and melodic, but also unusual. There is a largely acoustic feel across all six pieces.

At times, there are Psych and World Music slants, particularly with some wonderful Old playing from Gal Hever, particularly on Three Died with its obvious Middle East bent. Manning Jr adds to the feeling with some unexpected keyboard sounds.

The Pop isn't necessarily clear across the album, but it is clearly there on Garden Of Knives, with a more expected keys led arrangement and Drew Johnson's voice would lend itself to Power Pop if it were not for the depth and intensity of the arrangements.

The standout is possibly Two Birds, the most Pop Rock of the six tracks, certainly the most straight ahead and as with a lot of the album there is a gentle, almost pastoral, Psych Pop vibe. Yet Drawing Fires is possibly the most Psych, almost Prog Folk at times, superbly soothing and yet gripping.

Don't expect Riffs, but do expect an extraordinary soundscape, moody and melancholic, almost mantra like in parts. Yellow And Purple is a splendid listen, best heard in one go than selecting tracks. Proof that music is not just about noise or choruses, but a general feel and touch.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Weird Bloom - Stargate

 

As mentioned before, the past 12 months have seen a real resurgence UK Glam Rock related bands. It is almost 1974 all over agin. Some are retro, others put their spin on the genre, others get close to bands from  the heyday, particularly The Glitter Band. 

Italians, Weird Bloom have been around and mentioned for 6 or 7 years, but this resurgent brings them more to the fore. The main difference to 1974 is that this new input is led primarily by albums whereas originally Glam Rock was really built on singles.

Although Weird Bloom do have the drum sound and handclaps down to a tee, they sound particularly Bolanesque with a secondary helping of Sweet rounded off with nods to the likes of Mud. Instrumentally, though they can play and at times get rockier on the solos than peers. 

They are also helped by the vocals of Luca Di Cataldo who has a voice nearer to Power Pop at times. The Sweet similarity to Sweet is most notable on Fire In The Night which is very close to Hell Raiser, but at other times, there are hints of the likes of Little Willy.

Saturday Night Is Breakin'  is built on a Ride A White Swan-ish riff and of course Glam Rock is always about Saturday Nights. Summer Be My Hammer is again very T. Rex riff like. with a chorus that gets a bit Hot Love. Young Men is very Glitter Band like and Dum Dum Boogie, more than a little Mud.

Although this could sound like others, doesn't that apply to most music this far on? It is beautifully and faithfully done with edgier Guitars. Most importantly, it is singalong, foot tapping and fun. What more could you want to chirp you up?

You can listen to and buy the album here. The Vinyl Release is now available from the band on Facebook or Instagram.

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Listening To This Week Playlist

Welcome to the new Listening To This Week Playlist. 32 songs that are itching to be heard. A familiar face starts us off in what is a splendid variety packed listen. It really feels like 2025 has kicked in big style this week.

I do hope that you can listen to all the songs across this week. The last listed is as great as the first and you have plenty of time to listen. This weekly playlist is solely for submissions, not the usual stuff that we dig out ourselves. 

All embeds open in new windows to aid scrolling. Links to the artists will also appear on I Don't Hear A Single Social Media sites over the next 24 hours. This will help you to discover more about the artists who appear here. 

Bob Mould - Neanderthal

Publicity Department - Two Little Birds

Mythical Motors - Finer Thrills

The Taxpayers - At War With The Dogcatchers

Push Puppets - All Together On 3

Current Swell - 10 Feet Tall

Petite League - Paradise Park

Brian Noyes - Dollhouse Man

The Purple Helmets - In The Queue

Underdown - Life In The Can

Saxon Mother- Your Fight's Gone

Saxon Mother · Your Fight's Gone

Atom Lux - Stoned Monkey Heritage

Gary Air - Riding My Bike

Abby Payne - Jane

The Deneuves - Sparkles

Midland Railway - Bedroom Analysis

Midland Railway · Bedroom Analysis - Album Version

Barking Poets - The Mess I Made

Forever Now - Signs Of Regret

Myriads - Spider

Baker Island - Eternal Affairs

The Lines - Long Lie

REGINA - Age Of Aquarius

The No Good Crowd - All Right Now

Lone Striker - Dunno

Blue Orchid Reaction - Walking In Theur Heaven

Risley - Candy Hearts

We Found A Lovebird - Details

West Mark - Lost In The Sound

Sunday,June - Motion Echoing

Echoplay - Neon Dream

Davinci's Carousel - Subway Ride

Rosetta West - Desperation

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