I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 81-90

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.

I would also add that the Top 100 includes albums available as Download Only. To suggest that they are anything less than equal to a Physical release is grossly unfair, even more so in 2020 with all that has happened during the year. To qualify, an album has to be available for sale in any format.

For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to where you can find further details on how to listen or buy the album. 

No 81 : Ryan Allen (Extra Arms) - Song Snacks Vol. 1       IDHAS Review

No 82 : Blight - Restless Chase           IDHAS Review









No 83 : Moon Attendant - One Last Summer        IDHAS Review










No 84 : Ed Ryan - Even Time       Review

No 85 : Gregory Pepper And His Problems - I Know Now Why You Cry    IDHAS Review

No 86 : Cocktails - Catastrophic Entertainment      IDHAS Review









No 87 : Ages And Ages - Me You They We     IDHAS Review









No 88 :  The Trend - Bella Vega     Review

No 89 : A Perfect Day - With Eyes Wide Open     IDHAS Review

 


No 90 : Dunkie - Working To Design    Review

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Cocktails - Catastrophic Entertainment

Great Power Pop albums aren't that easy to find at the moment. Truth is they haven't been for a while. So it's refreshing to hear something that is. San Francisco's Cocktails have mastered that feel of the late 70s / early 80s wave of Power Pop that was aided by the post punk New Wave explosion.

Think The Records, The Sinceros, The Rubinoos et al. Hooks are plentiful, choruses are big, riffs grab hold of you and love is lost and found. All of this is achieved with aplomb with an adept ability to not appear to be a pastiche.






Songs are fully formed, the arrangements and playing are top notch and there are some fine guitar solos to single out. There is even a hint of Chinn and Chapman Glam at times, particularly on Waiting On The Summer which reminds me a lot of The Speedways.

When the album steps away from Power Pop, there are even great rewards. Those Changes is great New Wave with a Cars like synth run and a real similarity to The Only Ones. You'd expect Bun E. Carlos, a song named after Cheap Trick's ex drummer to be 70s Pop Rock, but it sounds more like Ash.






All of these comparisons are worthy. Take It Back is a fine slacker closer in Weezer territory and the stand out song here, Nobody's Going To The Movies has every single component that you would expect to achieve a Summer Single Smash.

11 songs in 27 minutes more than suits the genre and there is so much to like here. Catastrophic Entertainment is the type of album that you would hear in abundance when I Don't Hear A Single started. Sadly Power Pop has lost itself in Groundhog Day nonsense since. Thank goodness, the likes of Cocktails can see through the long grass.






You can listen to and buy the album here.


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