I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 71-80

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 71 : Joshua Powell - Skeleton Party     IDHAS Review

No 72 : ANC4 - Strange Tide        IDHAS Review





No73 : Finn's Motel - Fireworks Or Lightning        IDHAS Review





No 74 : Intercooler - Read The Room           IDHAS Review

No 75 : Sister John - I Am By Day       IDHAS Review

                

No 76 : Wavves - Hideaway      IDHAS Review





No 77 : Groovy Uncle - Searching For The Grown-Ups    IDHAS Review

No 78 :  Action City - This Is Action City     IDHAS Review





No 79 : The Muckers - Endeavor     IDHAS Review

 


No 80 : Daydream Time Machine - Mirrors Of Time     IDHAS Review

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Groovy Uncle - Searching For The Grown-Ups

 

Groovy Uncle have mastered a brand of 60's Pop Rock with melodic slices of UK Beat and Psych Pop. Usually Glenn Pragnell gathers everyone together in the same room. The pandemic dictated that this wasn't possible for Album Number 9. 

Searching For The Grown-Ups was recorded at home, although you really wouldn't know that sound wise. With just Brass and a few Guitar tracks recorded remotely, it could be described as a Pragnell solo affair, but again it doesn't sound or feel like that.

The trademark Groovy Uncle sound is still present, particularly on Cool It Down and Jimmy Joined A Gym, but this seems a more varied Pop led album and reveals the full scope of Pragnell's talents. The man can certainly write a catchy tune and although it is essentially 60's led, the hooks are aplenty.

That Sinking Feeling is Merseybeat with a Duane Eddy twang and Not Inclined To Do is a ringer for early Hollies. He Misses You is a crackerjack of a song, lyrical sadness draped in a chirpy chipper tune. Not Inclined To Do is a classic Ready Steady Go male solo singer that made the ladies swirl.

It is the endearment of the album that strikes home most though. The piano led quaintness of Saturday Afternoon and the joyful Brass on Grown-Ups reveal a wit draping the ordinariness of everyday life in happy go lucky instrumentation.

Having said that the album is no one trick pony. There is a real rasp to Too Tired To Do Stuff and Gravesend is very different with its wonderful diary like talking vocal. Special mention too for the instrumental opener, Saturday morning, a surprise Brass led joy that sets the mood for a great pop album.

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about Groovy Uncle here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 21-30

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 21 : Jeff Whalen - Ten More Rock Super Hits 

No 22 : The Speedways - Just Another Regular Summer     IDHAS Review here.







No 23 : Checkpoint Charley - Pomp, Twaddle And Bombast : Songs 13 - 24   IDHAS Review here.

No 24 : Summer Magic - Sharks And Other Dangers    IDHAS Review here.

No 25 : Yorick Van Norden - The Jester

No 26 : Salim Nourallah - Somewhere South Of Sane






No 27 : Bill Lloyd - Working The Long Game 

No 28 : Rob Bonfiglio - Trouble Again    IDHAS Review here.

No 29 : Groovy Uncle - Meanwhile Back In Medieval 






No 30 : 8X8 - New Data New Day 

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Groovy Uncle - A Clip Round The Ear

The Medway collective led by Chatham's Glenn Prangnell return for Album Number Six and it's their best yet. This is Psych Pop at it's very best, more on the Pop side, say more the first incarnation of The Move than Pink Floyd. Having said that, Oil And Colour Man would fit comfortably on Relics.

Cardiff's Suzi Chunk is again present and this allows the album to be divided into two. When Suzi moves to the Mic Stand, it's more for Burt Bacharach type kitchen sink dramas and these work equally as well as the great Pop that surrounds it. An exception to this is Got Up And Gone which could be Jacqui Abbott in it's delivery and pace. It also has a great Pearl And Dean type ending.





The duet on Things I've Been Meaning To Say is wonderful, part Peter Paul And Mary, almost The Seekers. Above My Station is a charming little ditty with it's early Lennon like vocal. It's the Psych Pop that appeals most to me, but that's probably because it's been such a while since I've heard it done so well.

Mrs Saywell Says and Our Gary's No Fool are splendid affairs that you can imagine being in a technicolor film starring Michael Bates. The aforementioned Oil And Colour Man is a revelation of song.

The whole album takes you back to a more innocent age. Little Essays about a world before everyone knew everything. Not only is it charming, but it's also beautifully arranged. The vocals from Prangnell and Chunk are spot on. Both deserve a wider audience.

You can buy the album on vinyl from the band's website here. Ray at the excellent Kool-Kat has the release on CD here. A Clip Round The Ear is also available for download at the likes of Amazon here. The album and the band's back catalogue is also available on iTunes.