The Jimmy C - Refreshing

 

As a log time of Jamie Coghill's Jimmy C adventures, this is a great concept as he hits his third decade in music. He approaches his songs from his formative years between 2004 and 2009 and can now use modern recording techniques rather than 4 Track and Computer software in its infancy.

The Melbourne multi instrumentalist was initially known more as a drummer for the likes of Lava Fangs and Fez Perez, but during his solo career, he has become a mainstay in Power Pop. However these songs show a much wider genre area.

A prime example of this variance is the wonderful meandering West Coast Rock of Your Corpse Is A Bore which is all Crazy Horse-esque. All Nite Ride is melancholic and stoner. Yet there are also big hints at what was to come.

The Back Roads To Ruin is magnificent with its killer riff and Guitar Pop sensibility. I Want Her is pure Classic Rock, indeed a lot of what is on show here fits that direction. There are also a couple of darker brooding instrumentals that show a completely different side to Coghill.

Just A Fool is built around another outstanding riff and The Boy In The Suitcase mixes a Road Song with a more Psych Pop feel. Refreshing is special in that it shows another, equally excellent, side to the Power Pop Icon that The Jimmy C recordings has since provided. 

You can listen to and buy the album here. 

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Pet Symmetry - Big Symmetry

 

I am 62 and there are many of my peers who look at my interest in Emo and Pop Punk over the past three decades plus as a mid life crisis. They think I sit at home in my half pants wearing my cap backwards. What they don't realise is that as the better of these bands have matured, they are now excellent at offering up music that is not a million miles away from the stuff that they like.

Pet Symmetry are a living breathing example of this. So many look at those two genres and run for the hills. Just as Modern Prog is not all about 8 minute drum solos and weird time signatures. Psychn Pop is not about backward recording and hippie tableaus. Music listeners should open their minds as much as their ears. 

I Don't Hear A Single started as a reaction to these attitudes, those who said all new music is crap and I suppose we've proved them wrong. It has been four long years since the band's third album, Future Suits, and it has been worth the wait. Big Symmetry is such a wonderfully positive album.

The Chicago Trio are still locked in instrumentally, almost a Power Trio, yet whilst this album still has hints of Emo, the sound is much nearer to the new breed of Power Pop and it takes it to a whole new level. Songs are not about lost love, more about the world now, but providing hope.

Offering up 12 songs that with titles that all begin with Big tells you about the aims of the album. Big Symmetry don't come up for air, but the songs are melodic, never in your face, all perfectly formed, they get near to Indie Rock without ever trying to blow the doors off.

Songs are beautifully arranged, all big choruses and big riffs. I've deliberately not wrote about individual songs, because this is an album to be listened to from start to finish. However, I have embedded my favourite three to lead you there. Big Symmetry is the sound of three friends, happy with their bond and their lives. We should get more of this sort of vibe.

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

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Caper Clowns - Without The Aid Of A Safety Net

Having been with Caper Clowns since the early years, it is a delight to see how they have grown and now have the world at their feet. Many more Reviewers and DJs now claim them and rightly so. It is getting nearer to the time when their acclaim from the more mainstream will leave us behind.

But we don't want to let them go yet and will hold on for dear life. We are door openers, but the Danes are a lovely band and as they have gotten bigger, they have gathered fellow musicians to start a scene that is delightful and they have never ever forgotten us.

They've been regularly compared to Crowded House, fairly so, and Anywhere Is Home on this album is a great example of that. Without A Safety Net is a prime example of how constant touring and their encouragement of others has led them to the experience that makes this album so great.

The marked difference to what has gone before is that this album is a much Rockier affair. The songs are still built on great choruses, but the sound is bigger and the pace much quicker. It suits them really well as they have come up with a tour de force, a beautifully arranged and performed affair.

Little differences mark this growth. The Guitar solo on Tight Ship, the Psych Pop of the standout Strange Boy. The instrumental arrangement on Martyr's Dream which is unlike anything they've gone near before. Behind The Waterfall (Ayahahoo) is all Indian Tableau, very hippy trippy.

A Silhouette Of Past Regrets is epic, a little Scouse Pop feel at times, Space maybe and edging into Brit Pop, but sounding like no one else. Quixote is a great Pop song, Jaunty to the extreme with a wonderful Jangle. 

Dawn's First Light and Reset The Sun point to Caper Clowns' past, but Without The Aid Of A Safety Net has moved the band into a much wider sound, a new level of arrangements and performance, a proper band album. 

Having seen them so far, I was still gobsmacked at the giant steps that have been taken here. Complicated arrangements, surprise departures, yet still incredibly melodic. If you like Pop Rock, you MUST listen to this. It is a great example of how music can affect the soul.

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

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The Electorate - By Design

 

What a trio, Sydney's The Electorate are. Forgetting about the actual songs for one minute, instrumentally they are built on a locked in Rhythm Section that drives songs and angular unexpected riffs that cross genres. Then there is the vocal that links the instrumentals perfectly in a sort of Kilbey-esque manner.

This is the band's second album, five years on from that outstanding debut and this time there seems more space for songs. The first three songs underline the variance on show. End is built around a wonderful Psych Pop riff and a driving bass line.

Peace Love And Kindness is built on more of an Indie Rock vibe and I just can't help thinking of Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire on the verse. Sleeping On The Job is wonderfully angular, but the vocal is uncannily close to Neil Finn. These three songs are not even the apex of this stellar album. 

Unfamiliar is slower, darker and splendidly Post Punk with a hint of Will Seargent on the Guitar sound. Summer Of Cicadas sounds more front porch and yet Ten Times Round is more IRS, 90s College Rock even, with a mesmerising Guitar sound.

Don't Go Out is much noisier, a real thrash out at tines, yet remains a cross between The Church and 80s King Crimson. Face Of A Giant returns to Psych Pop with a jaw dropping riff and a hypnotic rhythm section. This may even e my favourite here and it is the closing track.

This is the sound of a band at the top of their game. By Design has hooks and riffs that just grab a hold of you, but there are also Pop elements mixed with incredible arrangements. You just don't want the thing to end, it is a magnificent listen.

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

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Fuzziliers - Most Fun (Free Download)

 

I love Fuzziliers, we were there from the early days with their debut EP,  Would You Believe, and followed up with the quartet's debut album, Sail The Seven Seas. So as we reach their second album, it is interesting to hear how they have developed.

Whilst Most Fun has parts that are significantly theirs, particularly the Psych on the title track that even gets a little Primal Scream, there are also changes in direction. This sounds a more Indie Rock album. It Rocks as well as ever, but there does seem a more commercial slant.

Future Society is great Pop Rock, almost Brit Pop. In The Morning is splendid Jaunty Pop with some great harmonies and an ace Brass arrangement. Amsterdam remains a great single, again a little Brit Pop, but also a little Folk with another stunning Brass arrangement. 

Amplification is beautifully restrained Classic Rock that simmers without ever boiling over and is dominated by a meandering riff and some wonderful organ playing. Fake Dancer is a reminder where the band's beginnings started, a great Psych Pop feel to proceedings.

I don't criticise the change of direction in any way. The band are incredibly good at what they do and the arrangements are as strong as ever. The Brass also adds something different and that works too.Fuzziliers are a band on the move, time to jump on and enjoy the ride.

You can listen to the album here. It is a free download and little now is free, particularly nothing as good as this album.

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Charlie Hannah - Tortured Genius.

 

The first point that should be made is that this is a great Singer Songwriter album. Charlie Hannah has a mastery with lyrics that is something that you don't hear as often as you should. These are storytelling songs that are incredibly effective.

Hannah's way with words makes you listen to the story as much as the song in a way that Ward White manages to do the same. Tortured Genius is beautifully arranged, gentle Pop Rock, very 70s in feel and vocal arrangement wise.

A song like Kansas is splendid Piano Pop with a Brass Arrangement that is very Peter Skellern like. Don't Confuse The Singer With The Song benefits from another fine score, this time sounding a little Kid In A Big World era John Howard.

Wyatting is part Folk, part Jazz and Lower The Bar gets a little funky. The Greatest Role I Ever Played enters McCartney Pop. with another great Brass arrangement. But the album isn't all self reflection although I am reminded of Al Stewart at times.

Iceberg is a wonderfully jaunty Pop song. On the verse, it sounds very Nick Heyward, yet the chorus gets all poptastic in a Nick Frater sort of way. Tortured Genius is the sort of album that used to come along regularly, very British Pop.

This album sounds even better due to the absence of competition. Hannah encapsulates a time when we marvelled at quality songs that delivered joy in a laidback way. It is a cracking listen and a refreshing change from big choruses and crashing chords.

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

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Force Model - Barricade

Force Model are a trio from Los Angeles, but Barricade was constructed much further afield. Only one member remained in LA, whilst the other two were in New York and Japan respectively. The demos were written across those divides, before the band flew home to record these 5 songs.

That, perhaps, explains the variety on show here. Whilst always sounding melodic, they venture into other areas without any restrictions. The title track is a wonderfully schizophrenic affair. Part Noise Rock, part Radiohead, whilst also allowing the catchiness to peer out.

Compare that to Nothing At All, which graced the current Listening To This Week. which is more Power Pop and close to Slacker Rock. Then there is the standout, How Can One Girl Be So Bad which is Pop Rock of the highest quality. 

That song is a mix of 90s US Indie Rock, 80s C86 jauntiness and even edges towards Brit Pop. Pisces Dreamboat is more of a scuzzy affair that explodes into a wonderful Alt Rock noisy feedback joy. Barricades is a cracking celebration of how life affirming Guitar Pop can be. I can't wait for the band's next chapter.

You can listen to and buy the EP here. It is available to buy for $1 or more, so what have you got to lose?

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Mick Ralphs RIP

 

I generally don't mind getting old, but one of the main drawbacks of doing so is seeing your musical heroes pass away. Although many will know Mick Ralphs from his forming of Bad Company, it will always be his time in Mott The Hoople that is it for me.

Mott The Hoople were my band and it was the Mott album that introduced a council estate kid to how glorious the longer format could be. That album still sounds magnificent and it was Mick's Mott Swanson. His playing on that album is priceless and complemented Ian Hunter's strut. It is hard to believe that the promo photo above from that album now only has Hunter still with us.

Although the band are known more for the Glam singles, it is the work before that has always kept my interest peaked. Those Island label years had Hunter and Ralphs as co-leaders and the sheer nerve of the noise that they created contrasted with Ralph's more mellow Country Rock influences. Although both wrote the songs, Ralphs always seemed a more laidback songwriter. Wildlife was dominated by Ralph's songwriting and remains a superb listen.

Yes he could Rock as Bad Company proved even more particularly on the Straight Shooter album. It is an album that rattles your dentures. Seeing the band back together for the 2009 Reunion dates was something that stays close to my heart. Grown men were in tears, me included. 

Another key figure of my informative musical years has gone.A great Guitarist who was always about the band. Self effacing and happy to take a backseat to strong front men. He was a major part in both bands and one of the most underrated guitarists around.

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Listening To This Week Playlist 23 June

 

24 songs this week. The early part may be what you are used to, but as the playlist progresses, you will note the wider tastes that we have. As well as the traditional version, we have put the playlist on Spotify and you will see the link below. Remember this is early days on Spotify, so the following there is nowhere near our one here. 

The weekly playlist is largely for submissions, not just the usual stuff that we dig out ourselves. The song order is not about song preference, but how the playlist flows.  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. 

The Spotify Version

Link To Spotify

Len Price 3 - Emily's Shop

The Valery Trails - Everything Is Temporary

Snake Lips - East Coast

Shitbaby Mammals - Mr Barnaby

Llama Llodge - The Store Is Closed

He's Dead Jim - Human Zoo

Who Saved Who - Every Waking Passing Moment

Amaury Laurent Bernier - Too Early At The Party

Isaac Corby - Let's Settle

Kid Gulliver - 24 Hours

Blankslate - Spare Parts

TRASHCLUB - All Good, Man

The Blurry Stars - USA

Little Quirks - Honey

TEOSE - Part II

Force Model - Nothing At All

Problematic Jam - It's Alright

Eden May - Medication

Primaveras - Between Lines

Later Youth - Statuesque

deegie - Makeup On The Beach

Flooky - Starlight

Luna's Dark Secret - Apocalyptic Hell

Sunshine Posho - Not Done Yet

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Autos - Autos.

 

Dandyboy Records is a label that continually comes up with the goods and here is even more proof. Autos are a quartet that have a Power Pop starting point, but the quartet step further afield, partly due to the strength of Brandon Tomavic's laidback rasping vocals.

Adding in a driving rhythm section and a twin guitar attack, the world is their oyster. This allows them to cross boundaries with ease. Into The Grey heads into UK New Wave territory with its driving riffs and singalong chorus.

Yet on Spark In The Dark fairly races along across boundaries. It feels a little 80s New Wave, but also has a Feargal Sharkey tone to the vocal with some great Guitar Play. Drive gets even more Mainstream. Instrumentally, it is a little Blondie, yet also has hints of UL Glam Rock with a corking chiming riff.

Yet Breakin' The Ice comes across all IRS, even heads towards The Replacements. Whilst Arturo is a massive display of how inventive they can be over a longer time period. A killer jangling riff is accompanied by something much harder, whilst never letting the song break its restraints.

Power Poppers will love these six songs, but there is plenty here for the Indie Kids and Guitar Pop fans. I'm completely convinced, my only regret is that there isn't more to enjoy. I could listen to this forever. A wonderful example of how Guitar Pop can delight without every song having to sound the same.

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

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9th Anniversary T Shirt Month

 

What was initially just an idea has turned into Reality. To celebrate the 9th Anniversary of I Don't Hear A Single, each day in July will feature a picture of myself in all my Glory with a different Artist T Shirt on. There will be a write up on the cover stars each day to accompany the photo.

The response has been great, we are nearly at the two thirds mark. So if you are interested in doing the celebration, please get in touch. The thought of 31 photos of myself fills me with dread, I am usually well in the background, but at least the T Shirt will take your mind away from my face.

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Foxy - Tonight Tonight

 

In travelling across genres, I forget where my love of discovering bands and true musical discovery. I had been buying albums from the age of 11 and of course, I was most influenced by what I heard on Radio and TV, so these were largely well produced, a place for everything albums.

My real interest was peaked when I got out to the gigs and discovered bands that you didn't hear on the Radio. You turned up regularly at clubs to be surprised, see bands you had never seen and this is what Foxy gloriously remind me of.

This was in the period after Punk, around the time of New Wave in the UK. Rumbar Records have a happy knack of taking me back to this time. Sweaty bars, mayhem in the audience as you wore yourself out moving and shaking to music that just gripped you with its energy, big choruses and riffs.

Moxy are a quartet who take me back to 1979 and all its glory. They certainly have a great front person in Lisa Parker and a sound built on a fine rhythm section with driving Basslines and in Greg Antista, they have a Guitarists who knows a riff when he hears one.

Tonight Tonight is wall to wall energy. Sub 3 minute songs that launch into massive choruses and killer solos. Incredibly melodic and particularly gripping, all attitude. The band cross through genres with a down and dirty smile. From Punk to Indie Rock via New Wave and sussed out Streetwise know how.

This may be Retro, but it is so engaging. Indeed, there is a lot in common with the current noisier breed of Power Pop and at times the album reminds me of Andrew WK's debut album, heads down and prepare to be swallowed up. What a wonderful listen.

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

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The Autumn Hearts - Mr Sunshine

 

Want to get straight to my musical heart? Release an album chocka with Summer Guitar bPop that adds judicious touches of Psych Pop that leans on Brit Pop and yet is able to visit New Wave and UK Beat. Well Newcastle Australis's The Autumn Hearts are a quartet that have done just that.

A song like Undone is prime time Supernaturals, yet When It Is Tomorrow perfectly captures the West Coast jaunty Summer 60s, almost Bubblegum, but with vocal harmonies to die for. You want some Jangle Pop? Well here is Over It.

Then there is my beloved melodic Psych Pop when the quartet get very close to The Anderson Council with an Alex Lifeson 80s Riff on Sink Or Swim. It is like 1964 Searchers or Merseybeat Jangle Beat on You Wouldn't Think It If It Wasn't True.

There's even a big Brit Pop Anthem to close proceedings on She Goes. However, the opener and title track describes the strength of what they do. A wonderful Psych Pop riff on a sort of Let's Do The Show Right. Wonderfully catchy and melodic, Mr Sunshine is an absolute must.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Barbara - So This Is Living

 

This is a magnificent album, The Denver, Colarado Trio's second album has a soundscape to die for. We also now have covered two Barbaras. The UK outfit specialise in gentle harmonic Pop, the US version have far wider aims.

All three met as Music students at the University of Denver. That classical training and the influences around at the time has allowed the trio to be something much more than the traditional Guitar, Bass and Drums Trio. 

Camilla Vaitaitis's wonderfully breathy vocals are accompanied by Guitar and her Piano Training adds keys. Anna Panella may be the drummer, but her training on Trombone adds a great deal and Bridget Hartman plays Bass, yet is trained on Saxophone.

These multi instruments allow the trio to experiment brilliantly. Plus, having more time on this album than the weekend spent on the debut album, allows a fully fledged listen and the ability to explore unexpected areas. They do this with bravado and experience gained.

Whilst some may label the band Indie Rock, they are a million miles away from what that description would have you believe. There are Prog overtones, songs built on heavy rhythms, but the vocals are as sweet as sweet as can be. You can also hear Shoegaze and Psych, There are hints of Jazz and yet there are also Brazilian Rhythms, particularly with the additional Percussion courtesy of Raul Sanchez.

With the genres covered, don't think that this is some way out album. Every note deserves its place. Instrumentally, the album is untouchable. I have picked my three favourites to embed, but this is an album to be listened to from start to finish for maximum effect. Absolutely Wonderful!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Listening To This Week Playlist 16 June

 

Later than usual, here are the 27 Top Notch selections that make up this week's LTTW Playlist.  As well as the traditional version, we have put the playlist on Spotify and you will see the link below. Remember this is early days on Spotify, so the following there is nowhere near our one here. 

The weekly playlist is largely for submissions, not just the usual stuff that we dig out ourselves. The song order is not about song preference, but how the playlist flows.  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. 

The Spotify Version

Link To Spotify

The Voltz - New Faces

Hayden Minick - Lewis'

Hayden Minick · Lewis'

Legs On Wheels - Peekaboo

Splitsville - Beth Steel

Barbara - y r u here

American Souvenir - Come Back Down

Ted Bunny - Hot Seat

Heron - Dead To It

The Pseudo Mystics - Heat (Dance Around It)

District 8 - I Wish I Could

Burnt Tapes - You Only YOLO Once

Star Circus - Two Odds Make An Even

Telamor - Feed The Machine

TheoMN - Have We Lost Our Mind

Start Forward - Tightrope

Copacific - The Train / Suki

Cal Twomey - Up In Smoke

Palejoy - Next Goal Wins

Love Party - I Don't Wanna Leave

Cider Minds - Hongcun

Kalmyra - Marina Girls

Washing Machina - Come On

The Dirty Nil - Rock N' Roll Band

thedirtynil · Rock N' Roll Band

Jordyn Rayne - Hellhound

Repeat - Nothing New

SOUNDCLOUD LINK TO FOLLOW

Greg Brady And The Anchors - A Pissing Contest

Thomas and the terrible truth - There is noone in the right mind

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Listening To This Week Playlist Submissions.

I really love what the Playlist has brought to IDHAS. It has added a much wider audience. However we need your help with potential submissions. More and more time is spent gathering song information. Every submission seems to include a Spotify link and we include selections on the Spotify version of the Playlist.

However as door openers and being a long time established without Spotify, most of our success for artists comes from other links. The main playlist features an embed on either Bandcamp, Soundcloud or You Tube. These are places that don't require listeners to join and we feel that easy access is vital to the artist.

We always require an additional link one of those three places is vital, but too often, we have to either root this out ourselves or go chasing for it. We remind submitters to include that additional link as we cannot include a song that is only on Spotify.

Secondly, a big part of getting an artist heard is via social media tagging. The majority of our time on the Playlist is spent hunting out social media links for the individual performers. Prep for this Monday's Playlist has been the worst for time spent for a long while. 

It would be really helpful if submissions included any Social Media links, the tagging is done specifically for the artist's benefit. From next week, any submission accepted will also ask for Social Media links. If they are not provided, we will promote without tagging the artist. 

There is no frustration or angst in these two requests. We simply want to leave as much spare time as possible to review albums and promote artists. With I Do Hear A Single starting around August time, social media link providing will be vital and sp good habits now will allow that place to be as successful and beneficial for artists as we wish it to be.

Thanks as always.

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Joe Giddings - Stories With Guitars

 

I've been with Joe Giddings from the very beginning. I was introduced to the Star Collector debut album, Songs For The Whole Family, just after its 1999 release. It was beloved in Bucketful Of Brains circles. Just one album from them and then Giddings resurfaced on Not Lame (who else?) in 2002 with The JTG Implosion's All The People Some Of The Time.

Both are still played regularly at IDHAS Towers. I also gathered the 4 volumes of the self released download only All Themes Considered between 2012 - 2014. IDHAS started in 2016 after the release of his solo album, Better From Here, earlier in the year.

Joe Giddings made his debut here with the Kool Kat Reissue of Better From Here in 2020. You can read that review here. Keith Klingensmith's Futureman Records label has also done a fine job of keeping all things Giddings alive download wise.

So to 2025 and the excellent Stories With Guitars. All the trademark Giddings strengths are here and more. Often slotted into Power Pop, a genre that doesn't naturally fit as it doesn't with the likes of Cheap Trick, who Rock far more. Giddings strength as a Guitarist allows meatier fayre as well as an ability tread into AOR at times.

Buth there are traits of Jellyfishe her, particularly on You Are The Star and Song At The End Of The World. He also gets instrumentally into the territory of The Darkness on both My Riviera and Adrenalin. But vocal wise, there is ease with fast and slow and there is a real strength in the vocal harmonies.

Songs are written as stories at times and the strength of those vocal harmonies and the instrumentals overshadow how lyrically adept the man is. These 11 songs may be melodic overload, but they are never heads down.

Then there is David Stepanski, as good a Jangle Pop song that you will hear all year. The stand out for me is Pandora's Brand New Box, a Glam Rock gem, a genre that Giddings has also excelled at, that turns into a surprise jaunty Pop Rock sing along. Stories With Guitars is essential listening.

You can listen to and buy the album here. The CD is available on the Kool Kat label here.

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Various - Pop Aid 2

 

We don't normally cover compilations. There is no antipathy towards them in any way, some are really good. Others great and this double CD falls into the great. Our reasons are that with limited space, you can't acknowledge everyone and always feel guilty for those that you leave out. 

We also traditionally embed three songs and so that makes the rest seem less important, when you review a one artist album, that applies less so. But Pop Aid 2 is so much like an advert for what I Don't Hear A Single. We have reviewed and / or played so many of the artists present.

If you want an introduction to Pop Rock and Power Pop etc (and I see many who ask), there is no finer place to start than here. Kool Kat and Thrift Star Halo's Frank Gradishar have gathered together a splendid line up in support of those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

All 23 songs could make up an I Don't Hear A Single Playlist and cover around 80% of what we do genre wise. All the pre-requisites of Melodic Guitar Pop are present from Jangle Pop to Psych Pop, Power Pop to the crunchierangles. Big Riffs and big Choruses are everywhere.

So my 3 choices to embed could have taken on many paths, different styles, fast and slow, but I decided be a bit selfish and concentrate on three artists that have a long association with us. Psych Pop as my favourite genre ever is obviously well represented.

This relies on you to listen to the rest and discover the joy of what Pop Rock brings. Then, hopefully, you will do the right thing and but the CD or download to aid the victims and bag yourself a collection that can be listened to over and over, particularly with Summer here, a season that ideally suits this type of material.

You can listen to and buy the download here. You can by the CD from Kool Kat here.

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Dominic Lavoie - Round Trip

 

I like to think thatI know everything about the genres I cover, I obviously don't and this more than underlined when you listen to an album as wonderful as this. Even more surprising when you discover that this is Lavoie's 7th (count 'em) album.

Portland Maine's Dominic Lavoie is joined by Full On Voltron to offer up one of the great Pop Rock albums of recent times. Beautifully arranged and performed, it sounds so modern and yet equally Retro. Lavoie's dulcet tones dominate the album, but is the arrangements that make the album so great.

From the funk driven opener, 1.21 Charliewatts to the anthemic closer Norumbega, not a minute is wasted, Round Trip is absolute Gold dust. Built on Vocal Harmonies and riffs with massive choruses, it is an album that benefits from raiding the instrument cupboard.

You'll hear Farfisa, Sax, Clavinet and Brass are all present, yet none interfere with the sheer catchiness of song after song. Lavoie is not afraid to include a blistering Guitar solo. Sunkist Bliss 90s Superhaze is an example of this, a song that is in tune with the new breed of Guitar Pop.

Yet at other times, songs are like a bigger sounding Ben Folds or Andrew Gold. There are hints of Glam Rock and Americana.  Instrumentally, Karmic Rodeo sounds like The E Street Band on The River, all mouth organ, keyboard runs and twanging Guitar. 

Martin The Martian, the latest single is flawless jaunty Jangle Pop with a hint of New Wave. But, this is an album to be listened to from start to finish. Maybe the sound of the summer, it certainly is a feel good affair and a joy to listen to. A corking repeat listening singalong album.

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

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M Ross Perkins - What's The Matter, M Ross?

 

After the slightly embarassing self congratulatory 2 million celebrations, it is back to catching up on the backlog of album reviews that we want you to hear about. Who better to start the avalanche than the wonderful M Ross Perkins.

Perkins has the knack of hiding lyrically dept self confessions into great Pop songs. This is his third outing and he is calmly asserting one of the great Pop Singer Songwriters around. Very 60s in vine and Jngling wherever possible.

His last album, E Pluribus M Ross was and still is sensational. It hit our Best 100 albums of 2022, you can read my review here. His third outing feels a little more mellow than the second, but it is stacked high with great great Guitar Pop.

There are also four interupting interludes that break up the album. Recorded old outside segments enquiring What's The Matter With? All unrelated to Perkins, sort of like Frontier Psychiatrist. They should Hittite, but instead drag you in.

These are in complete contrast that the 60s Melodic Pop that surround them. There are diversions of course across the15 tracks. A Date For One is Acoustic and a little Simon and Garfunkel. That's Fine is very West Coast, almost Country, Rock.

Bouquet is a splendidly put together affair, edging into Psych Pop, but covering multi genres, all in just over two minutes. But it the Pop that enthrals most. The jangling Merseybeat of Hey Man/Hey Self, The Beatles 1964 vibe of Gone (In The Morning).

The Byrds like, Crying In My Sleep even gets a little Jeff Lynne. The UK Beat of Spiritual Kick with its Lennon like vocal and there is even an almost Bossa Nova easy listening smoothness to I Feel So Numb. The whole album has the feel of a musician who knows what he wants to achieve and M Ross Perkins does that and more.

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

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Two Million Hits

 

It is gobsmacking to get to 2 million hits as IDHAS approaches its 9th birthday. The second million took just two and a half years. Thanks are to the artists who are covered. There are those who say that there is no great new music. IDHAS is proof that if you find the right artists, there is an engaged audience out there who want to hear and read about it. Thanks to the musicians. This place is about them.

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Listening To This Week Playlist

 

A little earlier than usual, here are the 26 songs that make up this week's LTTW. May the best one yet. As well as the traditional version, we have put the playlist on Spotify and you will see the link below. Remember this is early days on Spotify, so the following there is nowhere near our one here. Only 24 of the 26 songs are available on Spotify.

The weekly playlist is largely for submissions, not just the usual stuff that we dig out ourselves. The song order is not about song preference, but how the playlist flows.  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. 

The Spotify Version    (The Optdemics and Ryan Cassata songs are not on Spotify)

Link To Spotify

Las Gargantas - Profecia Autocumplida

DelCobras - Untied (She's The One)

Shortwaves - History Man

Optdemics - No Good Deeds (Not On Spotify)

Spiders On Drugs - Postcard From Amsterdam

Parent Teacher - Fire Door

Faces On Film - Where Love Goes

Faces on Film · Where Love Goes

Moberod - Pieces

Chatterbox - Dark Days

John Steer - Writing On The Wall

John Steer · Writing on the wall

Flutter - When You Love Somebody

Tin Cry - The Revolution Started (With A Song)

[Eagle Noise] - Joni Mitchell

The Slow Summits - Dream On

The Infamists - Lonestar Woes

SOPE - DYBIRL

The Electric Sons - Don't Need Much

The Electric Sons · Dont Need Much

The Fisherman Three - Out Of Style

Matilda Grace - Not Your Ex Yet!

Shoemaker Levee - The Resistance

Cupid And The Cowboy - Last Of The Red Hot Luvas

A Grieving Mind - My Heartache

Nordic Slang - Clever Cliché

Nicholas Shaw - Lovesick

Ryan Cassata - A Knack Of Overthinking (Not On Spotify)

Lola - I Came Here To Conquer

Lola · I Came Here to Conquer

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