For the last eight 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. A reminder that only new albums are included among these 100.
Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The 100 albums are 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.
Caddy made their debut on here in our first month with the Vinyl release of The Better End on the splendid, but sadly now defunct, Sugarbush Records label. With been with Tomas Dahl ever since and he's never ever let us down.
There`s a 20 year anniversary for Caddy this year and Dahl wanted to write and record a new album for the occasion. 2023 was pretty rough for Dahl with losing both parents and two close friends within a period of 6 months.
The album is lyrically darker reflecting on those events, The music is still very much melodic but there is much more Power on this album than in a long time, it is very muscular, all big riffs that accompany the expected big singalong choruses.
Into Oblivion for instance steps beyond Indie Rock, into slightly heavier territory Guitar wise and that works just as well as the usual chiming chords. Why Worry is similarly crunchy on the verse, but still offers up a catch all chorus.
Sealed Lips And Sealed Books is probably the noisiest song on show and includes a magnificent in your face solo, it is a song that rocks your socks off. 25 Ways is incredibly Weezer. One regular trick of Dahl's is to finish on a big closer to leave you wanting more and Bleeding Now is no exception.
This may be the best Caddy album yet. The trademark hooks are top of the tree as always, the choruses as big as ever and the more muscular sound work beautifully, offering
You can listen to the 10 individual songs here. The album is available on CD on the Kool Kat label here. It is available on the Vestkyst Records label here.
It has been a while, largely because there hasn't been so much. But over the past week, it has come flooding in. The theme is largely about the return of IDHAS heroes.
Mothboxer - Twelve
Hot on the heels of February's Timelimes album (IDHAS Review here) Dave Ody is proving especially prolific this year, on fire really. 26 July will mark the release of a second album for 2024. Ody started recording after the release of Timelines.
Having heard the album, it is top notch. You know that Mothboxer never let you down, but the new one is simply wonderful. Look out for the nigh on 13 minutes closing track How Does It Feel. The album is called Twelve, being errrr Mothboxer's 12th album.
Look out for further details and updates here and here.
Caddy - Someone Like You
There`s a 20 year anniversary for Caddy this year and Tomas Dahl wanted to write and record a new album for the occasion. The self titled album will be released on vinyl through Vestkyst Records and CD through Kool Kat. Release date is 22 August.
2023 was pretty rough for Dahl with losing both parents and two close friends within a period of 6 months.. The album is lyrically darker reflecting on those events, The music is still very much melodic but there is much more Power on this album than in a long time, but the results from our Power Pop hero are outstanding.
A single has been released and you can listen to Someone Like You below. The song will also be included on next week's Listening To This Week Playlist from Monday 15 July.
The Mommyheads - One Eyed Band
I think many of you know our love of The Mommyheads. We have been fans forever and ever amen. It has been wonderful to see the band in full flow over recent years with more Live shows than ever. We have seen the following grow and grow and still consider them as possibly our favourite band ever.
A new album, One Eyed Band, will be released on 13 September and I know we can be biased, but it is truly magnificent. The tracklist is below. Look out for further details on the band's website here and Bandcamp site here.
Album Details :
01 Chicken Soup
02 Life Is A Dream
03 Season Of Our Sound
04 Architect
05 Human Being
06 Risk It All
07 One Eyed Man
08 Weightless And Unbound
09 Junk
10 The Gift
Derrero - Breezing Up
It is hard to believe that I have been a fan of Welsh Wizards, Derrero for 29 years. Through Brit Pop and Beyond. No one quite catches the mood like their albums do. So it is delightful to note that Derrero's sixth studio album, Breezing Up, will be released on 14 September.
The bulk of the album was recorded last October at Palm Tree Studios in Kent and features contributions from Dewi Parry (Ghosts Lawns, Siula) and Gid Goundrey (Gulp, Ghost Lawns, EYE) with additional brass from Ifan Rhys & Rob Halcrow.
Derrero have maintained a resolutely DIY and esoteric approach to music making cementing their reputation as a strident and confident band who remain steadfastly unafraid to swim against the tide and self-release uncompromising music outside of the mainstream
.
Breezing Up will be preceded by a single on 02.08.24 from when the album will be available for pre-order. The tracklisting is as follows :
01 Ride On Rider
02 Catherine
03 The Drive Home
04 A Line In Space
05 Breezing Up
06 Cosmic Shift
07 Painting With Sound
08 Mile After Mile
09 Creepy Crawlies
Cherry Fez - Superexcited Sessions
It is an exciting time for Todd Shuster this year. Firstly, he has recorded an EP in Nashville with Brad Jones. The results are exhilarating and all four songs will delight Power Pop fans. The first track from those sessions has been released and you can listen to it below.
There may be more songs recorded later in the year and here's hoping a label will pick them up for a Physical Release as either an EP or mini album. Superexcited (the song) will also appear on next week's Listening To This Week Playlist (15 July).
In the meantime, the excellent Subjangle label is releasing a double CD compilation of Todd's old band, The Impossible Years called A Good Past Deserves Repeating. Provisional Release Date is 14 July. More details as I have them.
Finally Cherry Fez will be playing some IPO’s as Rick Kingo Featuring Cherry Fez at LA, San Diego, Vancouver and New York). It is great chance to see Rick and Chris from Caper Clowns with Cherry Fez. I am quite envious. IPO Details can be found here.
The Junipers - Annie Almond
On the theme of returning heroes, there was a real Wow! hollow when we found out that The Junipers were returning. First up is the wonderful single that is released on Thursday (11 July). Called Annie Almond, it is as ace as you would expect.
A follow up single is initially planned for 1 August titled She Looked Up At the Stars. Even more exciting is the news that a new album is ready, provisionally planned for a release at the end of August. The album is likely to be called Imaginary Friends.
The You Tube embed for Annie Almond is below. It will not go live until after midnight on Thursday. Listening To This Week fans can also hear the single on next Monday's LTTW (15 July).
Sloan - Smeared Deluxe Vinyl Box Set
The fourth deluxe box set from Sloan and this time focusing on the debut LP, Smeared. Along with that album, it also contains an LP of demo recordings. Live recordings from the era are on the third LP and the 7" single. Lots of great photos, stories and ephemera in the excellently designed 12" x 12" 44-page booklet. Limited edition!
Tracklist
LP 1 - Smeared
Side A
01. Underwhelmed
02. Raspberry
03. I Am The Cancer
04. Median Strip
05. Take It In
06. 500 Up
Side B
01. Marcus Said
02. Sugartune
03. Left Of Centre
04. Lemonzinger
05. Two Seater
06. What's There To Decide?
LP 2 - The Demos and Outtakes
Side A
01. Kool Aid (March 1990 Chris demo)
02. Left Of Centre (February 1991 demo)
03. In Her Place (February 1991 demo)
04. Pretty Voice (1991 Jay demo)
05. Caroline (1991 demo)
Side B
01. Underwhelmed (1991 demo)
02. Marcus Said (1991 demo)
03. 500 Up (October 1991 demo)
04. Raspberry (October 1991 demo)
05. Median Strip (Andrew vocal)
LP 3 - Live at McGill University June 17, 1993
Side A
01. Median Strip (live at McGill 06/17/93)
02. Take It In (live at McGill 06/17/93)
03. Sugartune (live at McGill 06/17/93)
04. Pillow Fight (live at McGill 06/17/93)
05. Coax Me (live at McGill 06/17/93)
Side B
01. Underwhelmed (live at McGill 06/17/93)
02. Penpals (live at McGill 06/17/93)
03. I Am The Cancer (live at McGill 06/17/93)
04. Rag Doll (live at McGill 06/17/93)
05. Left Of Centre (live at McGill 06/17/93)
7" single
01. Autobiography (live at The Grawood, Dalhousie 03/20/92)
02. Easily Fooled (live at The Grawood, Dalhousie 03/20/92)
Chris Church Underground Again
Chris Church is currently finishing off his latest album, some of which I have heard and those songs are top notch as ever. In the meantime, Chris has released the song, Underground Again. The definitive version of this song has eluded him, but he has always loved it.
This version is newly recorded in spring 2024, with Brian Beaver, friend and bandmate from DANG on Drums. Brian also painted the picture in this cover photo. Church wrote the song in the late '90s. A different version of it was recorded with THE FREDS several years ago.
That version is titled "Fad Collectible" (first track on THE FREDS album "Heavens For Betsey"). Finally set free with no final mix or mastering. it is Church's final attempt at the song and well worth a listen.
The Glad Machine - So High
Finally, a most welcome return from The Glad Machine. It has been a couple of years since the excellent Hey album which featured heavily in our Best Albums Of 2022. You can read the IDHAS Review of that album here.
Suiting the season, if not the weather over here in the UK. A great blast of catchy Power Pop joy. Brad Thayer still has a fine set of pipes. We can't wait to hear more from the band.
It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a List person, I just think what's the point?
However, for the last few years I 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. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.
There are few rules. All albums have to have been reviewed on IDHAS. Reissues and Live Albums are not included. Previously unreleased albums are included, but Best Of's are not. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.
No 41 : Caddy - Detours And Dead Ends Vol. 1 IDHAS Review
No 42 : The Summer Holiday - B-Sides Volume 1 IDHAS Review
No 43 : Dolph Chaney - This Is Dolph Chaney IDHAS Review
No 44 : This Circus Life - The Vast And Endless Sea IDHAS Review
No 45 : Real Sickies - Love Is For Lovers IDHAS Review
No 46 : Empty City Squares - The Disappearing Architect IDHAS Review
No 47 : The Mono LPs - Shuffle / Play IDHAS Review
No 48 : Cheap Trick - In Another World IDHAS Review
No 49 : the black watch - Here & There IDHAS Review
No 50 :Portable Radio - Portable Radio IDHAS Review
I am a Caddy fanatic. Norway's Tom Dahl has a knack of making music that turns every mood to chirpy. My one frustration is that such a fantastic talent doesn't promote himself nearly enough if at all, so I'm hoping that this heads up review changes a little bit of that.
The album is out digitally this Friday and on CD on Kool Kat in April or May. I'll post links for both formats as soon as I have them, but I've been bursting to tell you about this for so long. Even though I'm told that I'm a Power Pop writer, I don't really consider myself such, but I definitely am for this review.
I know when people hear the words cover album, they run for the hills, I know I do. It fills me with dread the way this lockdown has brought out the words "acoustic set." But wait! It really depends on the songs and thankfully there are no Beatles related covers here. I love The Beatles, but you know, other bands are available.
The fact is that many of the songs here will not be familiar to most away from the die hard Pop Rock fans, who are probably listening to Badfinger or Raspberries on rotation. Bar a magnificent cover of Junior Campbell's 1971 gem, If I Call Your Name, all choices are from the end of the 70's / start of the 80's golden New Wave Guitar Pop period.
Before telling you about other songs, I have to mention the closer. It brought tears to my eyes as a massive Chris Sievey fan, I mean who covers The Freshies? Only Pop Rock devotees. For me everything revolves around this song, an inspired choice.
Whilst people will know of Robin Lane And The Chartbusters and The Cretones, how many of you would know SVT's Heart Of Stone? What about Screaming Sneakers' Violent Days, here it includes a lead vocal from Ida from Blomst. It is also a long time since I've heard Gary Charlson. You will have heard Walking On The Roof on the IDHAS Audio Extravaganza, it still sounds as great now.
All 10 songs have been given Maximum Power Pop and it works. I'm not sure that Detours And Dead Ends should even be classed as a cover album, it has been Caddied (sic) up so much to make it their own. This is a superb feel good album, a pleasure to listen to and one to explore. You'll learn something about artists you didn't know of and be reminded that Tom Dahl is a major talent.
01. Walking On The Roof (Sgt. Arms, 1982)
02. Heart of Stone (SVT, 1981)
03. If I Call Your Name (Junior Campbell, 1971)
04. Best Thing I Ever Did (The Invaders, 1979)
05. Cost of Love (The Cretones, 1980)
06. Violent Days (Screaming Sneakers, 1982)
07. Not The Way It Seems (Gary Charlson,1978)
08. Don't Wait Till Tomorrow (Robin Lane & The Chartbusters, 1980)
09. Mark My Words (Chrissy, 1980)
10. No Money (The Freshies,1980)
The album is available on Apple Musichereand Spotifyhere. As soon as I have the link for the Kool Kat CD release, I will post that too.
2018 has been a fantastic year for the type of music that we like. It's been difficult to get these choices down to 100. I'm also not a believer in saying one album is better than another. Most of the time you are comparing Apples To Oranges. I'm not a Top 10 person, I just think what's the point.
However, for the first time last year, I did a Top 50, normally I just say what my favourite album of the year is. I've simply done it again, because those five posts of last year were so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists.
As I said the standard this year is incredibly high, so much so that I've extended the choice to 100 albums. There is no meaning or judgement on an album that is Number 1, Number 100 or not on the list. Anything that I review on here, mention on Social Media or play on the Radio Show is as highly recommended.
For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review if applicable.
I've been waiting impatiently for the new Caddy album all year and today is the day that it's Poptopia is unleashed on the world. It's been too long since The Better End. You can read the review of that album here.
Since then, Tom Dahl became a Stanley and the band's debut album was lauded as one of the best Power Pop albums of last year, rightly so. You can read my review of that album here. Ten Times Four lands somewhere in the middle of those two albums, gloriously so.
The Better End is beautifully arranged, but the songwriting is reflective, a little melancholic, when it breaks out, it does it gently. In The Basement here mines similar territory. The Stanleys album is more heads down, have a good time, Power Pop and that influence is also revealed here.
At times, these songs are built on meandering memorable riffs, never more so than on Not The One and Somewhere Beautiful, a song that wouldn't be out of place on The Stanleys album. The moody Roadblocks is built around a slow sinister riff, far different to the rest of the upbeat songs.
Reverie is a Jangle Fest, all Teenage Fanclub, a wonderfully melodic strum along building to an Everything Flows bridge. The closer, The Good Ones is a splendid anthem, a real sing your heart out building to a Thin Lizzy Twin Guitar crescendo.
If Miracle Turn is the ideal opener with it's glorious chorus, then The Good Ones ends the album in similar feel good mode. Special mention has to go to Safe Travels, a Glam Rock masterpiece with some fine Beach Boys harmonies. There's so much packed in to it's four minutes.
I've followed Tom Dahl's career since The Yums Yums and I can honestly say this is his best album yet. It's magnificently feel good, epic in it's Pop Scope. It's so easy to forget that Caddy is a One Man Band.
This year thus far has been a fine year for Pop Rock. Ten Times Four is another contender for album of the year. As soon as the album finishes, you want to play it again. Forget about what's happening in the world, this will make you feel that everything is A OK.
Ten Times Four can be bought as a download from the likes of Amazon here. It is available on CD from Ray at Kook Kat from 31 August, you can pre-order here. Ace news for you Vinyl freaks, Markus will be releasing it on Sugarbush later in the year.
I've been listening to a lot of Scandanavian music through the past week, no particular reason and no particular scene preference. There's been Folk, Prog and Death Metal (I did have a taste for the likes of Gehenna for a 12 month mindfest).
Power Pop wise, Sweden's strength is outstanding, must be something in the water. I am no Swedish Power Pop expert, but my great friend Nick Fletcher is, he's extremely knowledgeable in all things, but the directions he gives me to the Swedes are outstanding.
So with Scandanavia in my head, I should get around to Norway and Tomas Dahl's Caddy. I say get around, because I should have brought this album to the attention of all well before now. ASH Things, hearing etc got in the way, but these are crap excuses becvause the album is fantastic.
Dahl has been around for a bit, he was drummer and Bass Guitarist in The Yums Yums, a splendid underrated Norwegian Power Pop band, but it doesn't end with drums, because he's a one man band.
Tomas plays everything on the Caddy album and as a side note there is a real refreshing change with a one man album coming from someone who can drum, none of that awful programmed drum sound that you can get.
The Better End is a wonderful album. There's Teenage Fanclub comparisons and I know how boring they can be, but they are proper comparisons. There's a real jingle jangle to the album, almost Byrds like, but the harmonies give it far more.
If I had to make one real observation, Caddy remind me so much of Cosmic Rough Ryders.
Amongst all this jangle and melodic mellowness, there is a real gem of a song. People know how much I rattle on about Dom Mariani and Tommy Keene, well our Australian Power Pop God, Mr Mariani is on the No Sudden Moves and it's wonderful. That DM riff, well you know it's him without being told.
There's been an album before this, first as Go Slow and then as Electric Hero. I have this as a download, I'd love to be directed to a physical copy if anyone can help.
You can buy the The Better End on CD from Ray's excellent Kool Kat Musik here. There's also a great Blue Vinyl release from Sugarbush, which is how I choose to listen to the album. I think Markus has some copies left, you can check here.
Finally, I know many of you know of our Lurcher, Crash. He listens to a lot of music, most of it unwillingly. Whenever this album gets put on, he comes and sits by me, no higher recommendation.
