Ten Wonderful Albums From 2021

 

The above photo is not my collection, although if you listened to Tez Cain, she would tell you that it is something like this. It is more a reference to the amount of albums, I Don't Hear A Single gets in to review. You may have noticed the self created hype about the upcoming IDHAS Best 100 Albums of 2021.

That starts tomorrow with 81 - 90 and 91 - 100. It was so difficult deciding what did and didn't make it as it has been such a great year for the type of music that we like. So the rule of having to have been reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single in 2021 had to be stuck to.

With this in mind, I noticed 10 albums that I should have reviewed and just ran out of time. These ten, there fore will not be in the Best 100, but are albums that could and probably would've been in it, if that time hadn't evaporated.

I thought of reviewing them and delaying the Best Of. However, IDHAS is traditionally one of few that publish the Best Of Year in January and reviewing them now would have meant the best 100 being published in February, which seemed too late.

So I will assure the artists and inform readers and listeners that these ten albums will be reviewed in February. Each of these albums is a cracking listen and I hope you can find the time to give them a whirl / spin / stream or whatever you kids do.

Nelson Bragg - Gratitude Blues     Link

Wanderlust - All A View     Link

The RG's - Your Head On A Stick     Link

The Parlophonics - A Day In The Life     Link

Ed Ryan - Don't Follow Where They Lead     Link

Well Wishers - Spare Parts     Link

Scott Gagner - BloodMoon    Link

West Coast Music Club - Take A Deep Breath     Link

Glowbox - Your Call Is Very Important To Us     Link

Papa Schmapa - Where Are You Now     Link

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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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Ed Ryan - Furious Mind

Ed Ryan's previous album, Roadmap, was reviewed here and Furious Mind follows on with all that was great about Roadmap. The songs are beautifully constructed taking up the rockier space in Power Pop.

Loads of hooks, soaring choruses, everything you need from an album. As I mentioned in the previous review, despite being a multi instrumentalist, it is Ryan's playing that deserves special note. It really is outstanding, even when slowed down on the likes of Take Me Home it still stands out.







Songs are largely built to maximise the chorus, but on I Know I Know, there is potentially three choruses. So Hard is almost a Ziggy Ballad and Lullaby has a great vocal, it caught me completely by surprise.

There's a few more chances taken here, particularly on the slower songs, but it's the sure fire Power Pop that Ryan excels on most. Songs like Drifting and Any Time You Want showcase his talent for writing something that hooks you and then there's that Guitar Playing which is exemplary.







You can listen to and buy the album here.

Ed Ryan - Roadmap

After getting all moody with Damien Binder's album, Ed Ryan is a return to more familiar ground. Ed was the leader of late 70's CBGB's band, The Rudies. He was even managed by Hilly Kristal, heaven help him, in the late 80's as part of Jupiter Jets. None of those Power Pop chops have gone astray with the Power Pop excellence that is Roadmap.





The album drifts between Late 70's UK and US New Wave. It could be The Records, it could be The Knack depending on which song is up next. The opener, Everything's Gonna Be Alright starts off with a Huw Gower like riff and with the odd exception, the album just doesn't let go. The Bluesy start to Heartbreak In Disguise soon turns into a sing along Power Pop chorus.

Bridges are Burning could be Pilot or Jigsaw and has a delightful Harmonica accompaniment and a great solo. Rising Sun has such a Knack riff, it's untrue.





Clementine's Lead Guitar reminds me so much of prime time Mick Ronson. Darker Side is much more mellow, unusually so, starting with a Shooting Star opening lead. Elvis' World is New Wave in a sort of Split Enz way. Then Roadmap slows everything down to finish. Neil Young like sentiments with an amazing "rawk" solo to end it.



For all that Ed knows about writing a Power Pop chorus and riff, the guitar playing on this album is just sublime. You sense he really wants to be a Mick Ronson or Jeff Beck, but his ability to write a song holds him back.

This album is a fine lesson in how to write a Power Pop Hook and play Guitar. You can listen to it and buy it here.