Here Is The News

 

Welcome to the first Here Is The News in a while. As with everything on I Don't Hear A Single, it contains no influence whatsoever from anyone but us. We get lots of releases, PR, label contact, but we have always decided what we like and want to tell you about. 

Tamar Berk - ocd  (5 September)

Dealing with the two soonest upcoming albums first. 5 September sees the release of the new Tamar Berk album. One of our greatest discoveries, her fifth album in five years and each one has seem progression and different routes taken.  old îs a much more reflective album, darker in places and a little less rock out. 

Berk has always managed to express her feelings to great effect without angst. Moodier maybe, but I've been living with the album for a while and it is a superb listen. Mature and her development as a solo artist has been and continues to be amazing to witness.

LINK

The Wellingtons - Baby Moon (19 September)

Power Pop goodness arrives with a great fanfare as Australia's The Wellingtons return with their sixth album, the first since 2017's End Of The Summer. The trailing singles make you realise what we have missed. Outstanding Guitar Pop.

Melodic to the extreme, packed with Big choruses, Riffs to die for and a chirpiness that at times hides the lyrical adeptness of the songs. You will be singing along until your heart is content which will certainly continue into 2026.

LINK

Bird Streets - The Escape Artist (17 October)

John Brodeur  is a superb singer songwriter, taking unusual storytelling angles and displaying real depth in all that he does. Recorded with Jason Falkner, as always Brodeur wears his heart on his sleeve revealing a tenderness and exploring self doubt around wonderful memorable arrangements.

One of the most underrated artists around, his third album was recorded over four years and underlines his mastery of his art. It is also great to have Jason Falkner in tow, more about one of our great favourites later.

LINK 

The Len Price 3 - Misty Medway Magick (24 October)

The Len Price Three have been releasing singles that preview the joy of what is to come on this Wicked Cool release. Known for Mod Pop, but performing much more than that, this is an absolute Tour De Force. 

A Power Trio maybe, but the sheer pace and melody overwhelms you. Some might call them Garage Pop, but that gives an impression of noise and these are catchy songs that emphasise the tightness of the trio and the strength of Glenn Page's mellow vocals.

LINK

Cheap Trick - All Washed Up  (14 November)

Cheap Trick remain one of my all time stalwarts. A little too Rock for Power Pop, a little too Power Pop for Rock. Well into their sixth decade and still as relevant, this is their first album in four years and they sound as great as ever. 

Robin Zander in particular sounds as timeless as ever. The sound of my youth and still resonating now. All Washed Up is as melodic and sing along as you might expect. It is splendid that bands like Cheap Trick and Sparks are still releasing new material today that is just as engaging to an audience of over three generations.

LINK

The Salt Collective - A Brief History Of Blindness (21 November)

Stephane Schuck's second album has the songwriter and guitarist surrounded by what appears to be a I Don't Hear A Single who's who. Mike Mills, Chris Stamey, Mitch Easter, Andy Partridge, Jason Falkner, Kimberley Rew, Matthew Caws, Lynn Blakey and Aimee Mann are all involved.

Partridge adds two new songs, Falkner takes lead vocal on one of them. Aimee Mann appears adds vocals on two. As you might imagine from the cast list, the results are amazing a nd most of the material was not recorded remotely.

LINK

Nick Heyward - The Epic And Creation Years (4CD)  (31 October)

Nick Heyward's 90s were an inspired time. He mastered his solo years with three wonderful albums. From Monday To Sunday, Tangled and The Apple Bed. Enhanced by multiple bonus tracks including 12 demos, the strength of all three albums is revisited.

Coinciding with Brit Pop, Heyward shows that the period wasn't all about loud Guitar music. I've often been an advocate of how great much of the Pure Pop was around the outer circle of Brit Pop. Truth be known, the whole set is worth the admission for Kite alone, one of the greatest songs ever. The three individual albums are also released on Vinyl.

LINK

Finally Mommyheads return on 7 November with the release of No Quietus. I have the album here and it is truly wonderful. The New Yorkers are absolutely beloved here and more details will be released soon. Now almost four decades old, the band continue to be one of the most inventive groups that you are ever likely to hear.

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Cheap Trick - Live At The Whisky 1977 (4CD)

 

It seems a bit careless to limit this 4 CD Set to just 2,000 copies as it is already sold out most everywhere. That is the only negative thing that I can find to say about this unless Real Gone Music can reprint. Here's hoping they can, because this is something to own.

The shows have gained a legendary reputation and rightly so. Cheap Trick were in the process of recording In Color, their second album and about to go on a Summer Tour supporting Kiss and used the shows as a sort of warm up for both.

Fortunately, the Record Plant's Mobile Unit One was on hand to record four of the five sets. The Early and Late Shows from the 3rd and 4th of June are here in their entirety. The set lists vary and Cheap Trick are incendiary.

The following year's At The Budokan meant that these recordings weren't released, but this is a very different band, seemingly more hungry. Budokan may have made Cheap Trick's reputation, but it was a glossed up affair that presented the band's most commercial songs in 10 Pop Rock nugget form.

Here the band sound more Punk or Garage Rock with suitably noisy raucous performances. Less stage craft, but far more balls, these shows are a revelation. Robin Zander is on top form, a little more shouty and it matches the instrumental takes. Rick Nielsen is as unique as ever, but seems to revel in the heavier format and what a Rhythm Section Bun E.Carlos and Tom Petersson are.

These storming versions of songs that are still very much a part of their live set in many cases. It is also ace to hear them cover The Move's Down On The Bay revealing an ongoing Roy Wood fascination. I first saw the band live on the All Shook Up Tour in 1980 and they were LOUD, but nowhere near as urgent as this.

As a fan of the band since buying In Color as a 15 year old, I've stuck with them through thick and thin out of loyalty. Before their more recent return to form, there have been quite a few downs, but I'd never ever quit. I owe them the loyalty of those early albums and this set goes a large way to explaining why.

The album can be bought on the Real Gone Music site here. RGM will notify you when its available again.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 41-50

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

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Cheap Trick - In Another World

 

I know that Cheap Trick are neither new or under appreciated and I gave a lot of my thoughts on the band on the review of 2017's We're All Alright! You can read that review here. So you can catch up on my opinion by reading that review. Nothing really has changed. 

I still don't return to those albums from the past two decades much with the exception of We're All Alright and I still love Woke Up With A Monster from the 90's, There is however an undying loyalty to the band that's lasted 44 years since I bought In Color as a 14 year old. I'll buy every album they ever release due to the effect that they had on this 14 year old. 

I do however, as I do with all my fanboy artists, have a balanced view. Those 00 and 10's albums do get a bad rep. probably unfairly, but I hold Cheap Trick to a much higher standard and their worst is better than a lot of others best. 

I also don't prescribe to the view that if The Beatles were still around they would be Cheap Trick. CT rely on one writer, Rick Nielsen. The Beatles had three varied songwriters. Maybe that comparison could be made with Lennon, although not if was serving up the mawkish Double Fantasy stuff. 

With the strength of We're All Alright, I approached In Another World with a little trepidation, leaving it a few days until I listened to the album and then a few listens before giving an opinion. I'm delighted to tell you that I needn't have worried, if anything this sounds even better. It is a corking listen.

There are a couple of clunkers and although I know that the band love a cover, I have become so tired of hearing the continued flood of versions of Beatles related songs. I mean what can you add to Gimme Some Truth? But 10 out of 13 ace songs is a more than a high hit rate.

There are two versions of Another World, both very different and it is really difficult to choose which is best. The later fast version is typical rocked up Cheap Trick and is tip top, but the slower version is simply wonderful and may be the best track on the album if it were not for the second song on the album.

Quit Waking Me Up is all jolly sing along Brit Pop, a real earworm and everything else here is made even better with its inclusion. The band's best song in ages. It will certainly open up the next Volume of the IDHAS Audio Extravaganza if we ever get round to it with all that is going on here.

The Summer Looks Good On You is a fantastic single, but could maybe have been held back until the Summer is here. Final Days is a Bluesy joy and Robin Zander belts out Light Up The Fire as only Zander can. Here's Looking At You casts more than a glance at those 80's Cheap Trick nuggets.

It is wonderful hearing Zander's voice in such fine form plus Nielsen's song writing seems to be back at the highest level. Also best wishes to Tom Petersson after his recent heart problems. For a band that approaches 50 years together, In Another World is as urgent and relevant as any Pop Rock Guitar band around. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to this album on You Tube here and buy it everywhere. You really should!

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Project: Ghost Outfit - Project: Ghost Outfit

Imagine that you discover an album that includes Bill Lloyd, an artist that you admire greatly and cover regularly. Then, as a Cheap Trick Fanboy, you see that Tom Petersson is in the group. Well, add to that go-to studio guitarist and songwriter Adam Shoenfeld and Straight Outta Nashville comes Project: Ghost Outfit.

With Keith Brogdon on Drums, the quartet have quietly released one of the surprise albums of 2019. There are, as expected, hints of Cheap Trick and Bill Lloyd's Power Pop excellence, but more than that, these seven songs combine to provide one of the best melodic Pop Rock albums of the year.

I was intrigued to find out more about the band and how this came to be and so I talked to Adam and asked him for more details. Interestingly, it was Bill Lloyd that came up with the band name. Shoenfeld tells us more :

"Here’s some unnecessary Nashville incestuous factoids. I met Keith Brogdon (Drummer and Thinking Out Loud Design owner) through his wife and then we had a band named Stroller together

It was through Keith, if I recall, that I met Tom Petersson and his wife Alison. Ironically, before marrying Tom, Alison lived straight across the parking lot in an apartment complex from me, but we didn’t know each other..

Anyway, we all started having babies at the same time. So we all became really good friends and hung all of the time. I met Bill Lloyd at one of Tom and Alison’s holiday parties. I knew who he was, as I had played with his ex-duo partner from Foster & Lloyd, Radney Foster. (Keith played for Radney at one point too)."


So what made you get together and record?

"It wasn’t uncommon at a Petersson party, that the musician folk would end up in Tom’s music room talking music, oogling at his very eclectic collection of guitars, and sometimes accidentally jamming.
I’m sure it was one of those parties where one of us said, “Hey, we should get together and write sometime.”

So Tom, Bill and I got in the room and did just that. We felt a cool magic between us as a writing team, so we did it 6 more times. When it was time to record, Keith was the obvious choice. He was our friend and we all had played with him in other bands. (He even sat in with Cheap Trick to cover a show (maybe more) for Bun E!). I believe Bill played with Trick for their Beatles thing in Vegas too.

It took several years with our schedules to get them all wrapped up, but I know we’re all super proud of these songs."

The album will catch many by surprise. Could you tell us who does what on it?

"Somebody's Heart has me on main vocal, then Bill comes in with the harmony. When it hits the chorus, Bill switches to the double vocal approach. I love how all of the sudden, on the hook, Tom’s vocal pops in on the low harmony and Bill jumps back up high. Left Side Guitar is Bill, Right side is me and I play the main lick and solos."

"Hang On starts with Bill’s brilliant guitar sound on the Right Side. I do the Left Side Guitar and solo. I am lead vocalist and with Bill on the Harmonies."

"Mess My Mind has the unmistakeable Bill Lloyd on  main vocal and Mr. Petersson’s killer Bass part. I play left side Guitar and Piano. Bill plays Right Side Guitar."

"What Are You Looking For  has a bit more stuff going on. The bulk of the Keyboards and Strings are Dave Cohen, with the exception of high intro and turnaround piano part. I played that and the Wah Wah keyboard sound as well.

Acoustic Guitar and the amazing Guitar solo are Bill, who is also Right Side Guitar. I'm Left Side Guitar and Lead Vocals. Bill is also on Background Vocals."

"Ups and Downs is me on Vocals Right Side Guitar and the Guitar Solo and Bill on Left Side Guitar. I love Dave Cohen's haunting B3 on this and Bill’s chorusey sounding Guitar. Bill is on Background Vocals and I love how how we’re both kinda singing lead in the bridge."

"Never Remember has who else, but Tom Petersson on lead vocal? Tom plays Bass on the album. Bill plays Electric Guitar, I play Acoustic Guitar. Both Bill and I are on Background Vocals."

"Buying Time is really a reflection on getting older and going back to the old stomping grounds….I remember personally reflecting on the club, 12th & Porter…..The difference 10 years makes, who’s hangin' where….and kinda wishing you could go back to when you walked through the door of club and you knew all of the faces.

There's almost a double lead vocal, as it starts with me, but Bill kinda takes over in the pre-chorus and then we join. Bill plays Left Guitar and I Play Right. Personally, I think Bill’s guitar solo on this is one of the best I’ve EVER HEARD! He blows my mind! The Outro Guitar line is Bill as well…of course. Great B3 again by Dave Cohen.

You can buy the album at Amazon here and i-Tunes here. It's also available on Google Play and to listen to on Spotify and Apple Music. You can also listen to the songs in full here. You can find out more information on Project: Ghost Outfit's Facebook Page here.


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It's Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas

This week's Garden Of Earthly Delights hands itself over to Christmas. There's been a lot of things I said I would never do this year, showing aging doesn't mean set in his ways. I've usually baulked at Top 10's, never seen the point. I had them as something that music fans do to avoid fixing the leak in the shed. Well there will be some on here as well as a Smash Hits / NME type of thing, presenting ridiculous awards in made up categories.

Secondly, I've always avoided Christmas Song Reviews. I've left Christmas to my good friend Stephen Schnee who covers them in a way that makes all others redundant. It's the forced jollity that does me. Every time someone says it's X sleeps until Christmas, I reach for the wet fish and a slapping session. It's days not sleeps, you are not ten blah blah etc etc.

There are positives, you get to see Roy Wood once a year, but if I never heard Last Christmas again, it would be too soon, even if it was for someone special. See what I did there? But seeing as The Garden Of Earthly Delights is about choosing four recordings and there are four such things around this year, it makes sense to tell you about them.

The Bordellos - The Bordellos Do Christmas


I spent most of my growing up in St. Helens, a town aided by it's proximity to Liverpool for the musically inclined. It was always a bugbear that we had no musician to celebrate from the town. We clutched on to Gravy Train who had largely been and gone by the time Senior School started and there was Bernie Clifton who did some appalling covers of the songs in the chart on Crackerjack.

As the 80's rolled on after New Romantic's dismal years, we even tried to adopt Rick Astley, he was from the Borough, but Newton isn't St. Helens. Now, of course, we've got Jacqui Abbott and there is one special band to mention in between.

The Bordellos are magnificent. Anywhere else and they would be celebrated from the roof tops, instead we'd rather celebrate some young lady shouting the life out of Hero or Hallelujah. People who look to other things than the TV and local press, know how magnificent they are. Their lo-fi indie credentials can stand up with anyone.

Brian Bordello is an unsung hero, the wit and invention that goes into his writing should have him compared to the likes of Mark E. Smith and Martin Newell. It's the true that what he does isn't for everyone, but there are more than enough people out there who like similar artists that should be delving into their Back Catalogue. The Bordellos should be more than a Cottage Industry.

So we have six original songs here that use all the tricks of the trade that have been learned over a fabulous recording career. Don't expect a wall of sound, but do expect to have your thoughts provoked. You can download the EP here for Free and you should head off there when you've read the rest of this post. I'd suggest you bookmark it now.

The Minus 5 - Dear December


Scott McCaughey's current Stroke related illness, puts this release in perspective, particularly at this time of year. His R.E.M. credentials have always been there to see, but The Minus 5 has always leaned more towards Indie Power Pop and it's splendid that it does.

Here we have 11 new songs for the Festive Season. Peter Buck as ever is present as head Guitar Boy and there are guest appearances from The Posies, Mike Mills, Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Chuck Prophet, Tammy Ealon, Kelly Hogan and more.

It's an absolute joy to listen to, wonderfully melodic, a perfect accompaniment to the Sherry and Mince Pies. You can listen to and buy it here.

Lisa Mychols - Winter Is Here


Few would argue that Power Pop can be a Boy's Club, but Lisa Mychols has consistently challenged this. Her Sunshine Pop and Sugar Sweet Vocals are joyous. Everything seems so much brighter when she sings.

Those vocals come in somewhere between Susanna Hoffs and Kirsty MacColl, but the beauty is that everything is upbeat and jangly. On In Love With Love, Mychols even sounds Spectorish. Mr Santa is all New Wave.

These six songs but the Merry into Merry Christmas. If this is a time for positivity and celebration, this should be the soundtrack. You can listen to the EP and buy it here.

Cheap Trick - Christmas Christmas


The fourth of the four is given to my long time favourites, Cheap Trick, This could have been a disaster, particularly with only three originals amongst the 12 songs. But Cheap Trick pull it off due to the sheer delight of it all.

There are the obvious Slade and Wizzard covers, the band obviously want to contribute to Roy Wood's pension fund with their constant raiding. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday is rocked up though with Rick Nielsen's guitar.

It's the covers away from the obvious that are most interesting though, Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) and particularly Nilsson's Remember Christmas. Robin Zander's vocal on the latter is wonderful and in fact throughout, this sounds like a Zander album, his pipes are in fine form.

The three new songs include a guitar less, choir accompanied, Our Father Of Life and a song that may make it onto Christmas playlists for years to come in Merry Christmas Darlings. That song is classic Cheap Trick, everything that they do well is contained within. included the cheery lounge like  interlude. The album is available everywhere.

Cheap Trick - We're All Alright! Deluxe Edition

I Don't Hear A Single is about the new and under appreciated. I don't think Cheap Trick fit into either category, but there has been a bit of a clamour to put my thoughts out about the new album and so this is the only online place that they'll appear.

Facebook threads have shown the divide about the recent Cheap Trick output. I am a massive Cheap Trick fan, I've bought everything and continue to. I feel a great loyalty to the band and I'm a completist. I don't tend to post in fan forums these days because there is so much sycophancy. You are not allowed to criticise a band or disagree with any keyboard warrior.

I much prefer fans who love a band but are honest if they don't like something. I'm not saying that my opinion carries any more weight than any other fan, but it is my opinion and I feel qualified to make that opinion with what I've spent on the band over 40 years. This comes from someone who hates Lap Of Luxury, but loves Busted which is effectively Lap Of Luxury II.

I've now given We're All Alright! half a dozen listens and to these ears, it's their best album since the 1997 self titled album. Every album since then has contained a few killer songs but after a few listens been exceedingly ordinary. These albums have also been very front loaded, this one isn't, the band take more chances on the second half of the album and it's great.

There's a common outside conception that all you need are the first four Cheap Trick albums, this is blatantly untrue, but it has been a case of some great songs but few great albums. This feels like a great album. It may not be up there with those early albums and I'd not complain about that, it's fantastic that the band are still around.

The greatest complement that I can give the album is that if you were someone that had never heard a Cheap Trick album, you'd be hooked. Rick Nielsen has fashioned up his best playing for ages, he's like a man possessed and you get the feeling that the band had a whale of a time recording the album. The production is big, particularly on the first half of the album when it is very FM Rock.

The openers, You Got It Going On and Long Time Coming will appeal to the FM Stations but are the weakest part of the the offering. They aren't bad, just ordinary. It's after this that the album gets far more interesting. There's the raw energy of those early albums on Nowhere and Radio Lover. But it's the pop sensibilities that win out on what would be the old Side 2 that win out.

We're All Alright! doesn't slow down much, mainly on Floating Down, which could easily have appeared on Robin Zander's self titled album and it's poptastic. She's Alright is not what you'd expect from Cheap Trick. it's a wistful almost rap from Zander. Listen To Me is unexpectedly urgent and The Rest Of My Life is the sort of Beatles Pop that they do so well.

Much as though it's nice to get another Roy Wood cover, not much is added to Blackberry Way, not that much could be, it's no Rock And Roll Tonight, their greatest Wood Cover.  But the closer, If You Still Want My Love is a fine anthem. It's up with those great songs from recent mediocre albums.

All in All, I wasn't expecting miracles, in fact I just wanted something decent. I got far more than that. Cheap Trick live sets for the past decade have largely been Greatest Hits affairs in recent years, these songs will sound great in the new set. The album is a really pleasant surprise. It's not groundbreaking, but it's really good.