I Don't Hear A Single Best 100 Albums Of 2025 : 11- 20

 

Nearing completion now with the penultimate post revealing Numbers 11 - 20 in the IDHAS Best 100 Albums of 2025. 

11 The Wellingtons - Baby Moon      IDHAS Review

12  KEYS - Acid Communism      IDHAS Review

KEYS · The Greatest Joke of All

13 The High Frequencies - The High Frequencies      IDHAS Review

14 Caper Clowns - Without The Aid Of A Safety Net      IDHAS Review

15 Drool Brothers - Psychology      IDHAS Review

16  Greg Pope - The Roar Of Silence     IDHAS Review

17 Dom Mariani - Apple Of Life   IDHAS Review

18   Camp Trash - Two Hundred Thousand Dollars    IDHAS Review

19 Kicking Bird - 11 Short Fictions     IDHAS Review

20 Baker Island - Love Eggtually      IDHAS Review

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

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.

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

Here Is The News

 

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.

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

Rick Kingo - The Truths, The Lies, The Lot

Caper Clowns  have always been incredibly close to I Don't Hear A Single's heart. Their debut album was close date wise to IDHAS's beginning and the bond is similar to the one I have with Big Stir as both were there for us in our very early days.

Three albums in, the band regularly bother the higher echelons of our Best Of Years, not because of my loyalty, but because they are great at what they do. Pop Rock of the highest quality and their constant touring at a time when bands don't tour that much anymore.

Rick Kingo is the vocalist of the band, so I was always going to be interested in it. His vocals have him as a sort of Neil Finn for a younger generation and although this EP allows him to stretch out a bit, that vocal is as addictive as ever. 

He's aided here by band mate Christian Hojgaard on Bass and Brazillian Drummer, Lucas Garbellini and the trio work well together. The sound is a little slimmed down and the stripped down effect allows the songs, particularly the vocals, to stand out more.

The wonderful Zephyr's Reign is a venture into Rockier territory, very Classic Rock with a blistering Guitar solo. The Sound Of A Neon Light is Brit Pop tinged with a killer chorus and hypnotic riff. The Perfect Taunt is mid 70s Piano led Pop Rock that catches the charm of that period perfectly.

Confident In Time starts as a moody gentle Acoustic affair with that Neil Finn comparison most prevalent, before bursting out into a rockathon with a killer riff. It really is a crackerjack of song and worthy of much wider attention.

There lies my frustration as I would love all things Caper Clowns to be massive. The touring reaction to the band is incredibly positive. I would love them to be on Bandcamp as I think that would attract a much wider audience and their songs fit that site well. But that would be me interfering and I'm a writer, not a musician.

You can listen and buy the album at one of these links.

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

I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 11-20

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 11 : Mothboxer - On The Flip Side     IDHAS Review





No 12 : David Brookings - Mania At The Talent Show    IDHAS Review

 

No 13 : Edward Rogers - Catch A Cloud     IDHAS Review

 

No 14 : Nick Frater - Earworms          IDHAS Review

      

No 15 : Caper Clowns - Abdicate The Throne    IDHAS Review

       

No 16 : The Armoires - Incognito       IDHAS Review


 


No 17 : The Boxcar Suite - Every Side Of The Abyss     IDHAS Review

No 18 :  The James Clark Institute - The Colour Of Happy   IDHAS Review

No 19 : The Toms - Tomplicated   IDHAS Review

          

No 20 : Quick Fiction - Fingers Crossed         IDHAS Review

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

Caper Clowns - Abdicate The Throne

 

The only question about Denmark's Best Export is can their third album live up to the quality of the first two, The Buca Bus was an absolute gem of a debut album and the follow up, A Salty Taste To The Lake, was third in the IDHAS Best 100 Albums of 2018. You can read the reviews here and here.

Abdicate The Throne not only hits the heights of previous offerings, but it reveals a lot of hidden depths. Known for their Live Performances, the lockdown could have really slowed the band up, but that time has been used to play around with that they do.

This is a very different Caper Clowns album. True, there are still the Crowded House like elements that enhanced their popularity. Songs such as I'd Be Me, Space & Time and Four Letter Season fit that bill and match what has gone before.

But having five vocalists in the band was never fully utilised until now and the varied song writing of all has taken Caper Clowns to another level. Different genres are successfully tackled and the results are fascinating. 

Being a band that previously rocked you gently, a song with the pace of April Fool makes you sit up, real 70's glammed up Power Pop. Be There (The Ever- Changing Tone) is pure Andrew Gold Piano Pop. The Club Of Humanity goes all 80's synth.

It doesn't end there. What She Became borders on Country Rock and the band really let go on On Your Kaleidoscope, edging towards Psych Pop, which could be the best song on the album. Under Your Command is a song that dallies with Psych Pop even more. It is almost Toy Town. 

Alec In A Line is Bluegrass and the closer, Valley Of The Queens is largely instrumental with just 7 lines song. It is a gentle meandering finish, something you could imagine on a Nick Frater album. A perfect end to a perfect album.

There is more than enough here for existing fans, but more importantly, there is lots more for newcomers. I can't wait to hear these songs live. A different side to Caper Clowns is revealed here and I like it. I like it a lot!

You can listen to and buy the album by following the links here.

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

Caper Clowns - I Don't Hear A Single Audio Extravaganza Volume 100 - Live Specials

Welcome to our week long of Live Specials, recorded to mark the 100th Volume of The IDHAS Audio Extravaganza. Seven Daily shows are planned this week. Each hour long broadcast will feature up to three Live Sessions.

It is fitting that the first show features Caper Clowns. These five Danes released their debut album, The Buca Bus, in September 2016, a couple of months after I Don’t Hear Single began. I can think of no other band that best explains the type of music that I Don’t Hear A Single majors on.

The Bucas Bus was followed by A Salty Taste To The Lake in October 2018 and the third album has been  recorded. The release has been delayed due to the Coronavirus implications which has meant cancelling May’s planned tour. That release is now scheduled for September to October this year. However a new single, Bonsai Tree, is released today and you will hear that after the live session.

Caper Clowns specialise in superb Pop Rock that is not a million miles away from Crowded House.
So sit back and enjoy this splendid 52 minute set. Thanks as always to Jim Moody for his technical excellence.

Here are the contents of the first of our seven specials.


01 Intro By Don Valentine

02 Live Session

(Entrance Music)
Me For A Friend
Sacre Bleu
Crossword Puzzles
Lifeline
Kissing Daylight
The Way I Dream
April Fool
Mirror Me
Loops
Space & Time
In Your Kaleidoscope
Sleeping On The Edge Of The Rainbow
Pockets
Paper Trail

03 Bonsai Tree Intro by Don Valentine

04 Bonsai Tree (New Single)

Caper Clowns - IDHAS Audio Extravaganza Volume 100 Live Special



Or Click Below






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

I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 1-10

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.


No 1 : Ex Norwegian - No Sleep     IDHAS Review here.







No 2 : Bird Streets - Bird Streets     IDHAS Review here.







No 3 : Caper Clowns - A Salty Taste To The Lake     IDHAS Review here.






No 4 : Ian McNabb - Our Future In Space    IDHAS Review here.

No 5 : Nick Frater - Goodbye Kayfabe    IDHAS Review here.







No 6 : The Foreign Films - The Record Collector    IDHAS Review here.







No 7 : Wilkerson - Wilkerson    IDHAS Review here.

No 8 : Caddy - Ten Times Four    IDHAS Review here.







No 9 : Mick Terry - Days Go By    IDHAS Review here.







No 10 : The John Sally Ride - Nothing Doing 





.
.

Caper Clowns - A Salty Taste To The Lake

I know that I've been rattling on about what a great year 2018 is for Pop Rock. The end of year charts are going to be so competitive and there's more to come yet. One of the albums that I've been looking forward to most is Caper Clowns' second album and it doesn't disappoint. Quite the opposite in fact.

I loved the band's debut album, The Buca Bus, you can read the review here. These Danes have moved on apace, the maturity gained from all those gigs has resulted in one of the great Pop albums of this year.

A Salty Taste To The Lake has been trailed by two splendid singles, The Way I Dream, in which they out Finned Crowded House and the jaunty McCartney Pop of Sacre Bleu. A third single, Paper Trail is released next week in anticipation of the album's appearance on 5 October.

All three singles are worth grabbing, each includes an unreleased B Side.The Paper Trail flip, Just Another Supersonic Mastodon is particularly great, 4 minutes encroaching on Psych Pop with it's constant changes.


No difficult second album problems are present here. Whilst still mastering Beatles Pop, Caper Clowns broaden the range. Paper Trail is classic Difford Tilbrook, you can imagine a Boy Band grabbing hold of Loops and bringing it to the masses.

What If is an acoustic orchestral Windmills Of Your Mind sort of thing. Me For A Friend reflects a lot of what I feel about the album. It reminds me of one of those great Pop Rock albums of the 70's. Lifeline starts with a Roy Wood Move like riff, it's a fantastic piece of Psych Pop.

From the minute that I heard The Way I Dream earlier this year, I knew the album was going to be a stormer, I'm still singing the song six months on, it's a real earworm. A Salty Taste To The Lake is an upbeat melodic joy.

The biggest problem that I've had is keeping quiet about the album until now. It's been on constant repeat for the past few weeks. All of the things that were great about The Buca Bus are present, but the band have grown into an even greater outfit.

There is real depth in these 11 Songs. Caper Clowns may very well be my favourite band of the last couple of years. The album is a must have. It will be available as a 5 October release from both Kool Kat and Moby Disc.

You can pre-order by emailing caperclowns@gmail.com. I will update further links as I have them.

Caper Clowns - The Buca Bus

It does appear to be Scandinavia week on here, it's not intentional. Add that to the fact that I seem to live in 1975 and we have the perfect album. Odense's Caper Clowns have fashioned a great Pop Rock album.

Although The Buca Bus feels very Summer Pop, with all four band members being songwriters, the album is never samey. Whereas Pockets is great harmonic pop akin to The Legal Matters and The Explorers Club, A Tale of Romance and Magnetic Trains could be Jigsaw.





There's something for everyone here. The Banjos come out and suddenly it's New Seekers Time on All We Ever Do Is Run, yet As The Moment Takes You is pure Psych Pop. Sleeping On The Edge Of The Rainbow could be a Brit Pop ballad, Dressed In Flaws has a real disco strum.

When I'm Alive is pure Roddy Frame and Mirror Me reminds me of Squeeze. What a cracking debut album this is, great singalong pop. The real gem is The Significance Of Teacup which is a cross match of Somerdale and The Monkees.




If you want to hear what a great pop sounds like, you can here.  It's available everywhere to buy, so you can head off to your favourite retailer now.