I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : 71-80

 

For the last few years We have compiled annual Best Of 's because these posts seem so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists. A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended. 

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The countdown is posted in reverse batches of 10. For each album, a song is embedded from the album and a link is provided to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.

71 It's Karma It's Cool - Thrift Store Troubadours      IDHAS Review

72 Phantom Note - Out Of The Shadows      IDHAS Review

73   Bennett Wilson Poole - I Saw A Star Behind Your Eyes, Don't Let It Die Away      IDHAS Review

74 Inner Circle Club - Do-It-Yourself Propaganda      IDHAS Review

75 Doctor Mother Father - Feelin' Fine      IDHAS Review

76 Billy Tibbals - Stay Teenage      IDHAS Review

77 Bottlecap Mountain - O! Fantastik Melancholy      IDHAS Review

78 Jonny Swift - Kalimera      IDHAS Review

79 The Housing Crisis - Astral Apartments       IDHAS Review

80 Bone Apple Tea - Bone Apple Tea      IDHAS Review

.....................................

Bone Apple Tea - Bone Apple Tea

 

I've been loving Los Angeles's Bone Apple Tea's album for the past month or two. It's gentleness is a real antidote to the noisier affairs that have dominated my listening habits lately. They are really hard to pin down sound wise.

One minute there is a Jayhawks Americana vibe, the next there is a venture into Psych. They seem equally at home with West Coast Pop Rock and 70s Glam Rock, indeed the vocal at times is very Bolan-esque. 

However, this is not sleepy stuff, there is a real swagger in what they do and both the playing and arrangements are spot on. Honey Dew, for instance, develops from a gentle pastoral strum into Psych Pop joy and has a constant killer bass line. 

Just Like You is early Rock and Roll, whilst Want It Back could be on the big studio recordings of the 60s with the likes of the Wrecking Crew. BAT Theme is a real altogether now, almost show shuffle song. Baby Song is pure California Bubblegum Pop with some fine Acoustic Guitar playing.

Spirit Released is a wonderful slab of Psych, yet Roll On is perfect 70s Pop Rock. Long Lash Girl is real "let's do the show right here", almost Toytown in feel. Dialed You Up has the vibe of a 70's Sitcom Theme, but also has a real Orgone Box vibe at times.

Mackin' starts all T Rex riff but heads into UK Glam and Good Company is the best Jayhawks song not to be a Jayhawks song. The whole album is an absolute pleasure to listen to. Hard to believe that an album so beautifully written and played is a debut. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

...................................................