I Do Hear A Single

 

The success of the Listening To This Week Playlist has gobsmacked us. However, it has brought a couple of concerns that were discussed considered during the week off. We have no intention of ending the support for single tracks.

However, I, personally, thought it was becoming a bit unwieldy. The current Playlist contains 35 songs and in the format used, it is quite a listen. I also had concerns about IDHAS looking less focussed on longer length reviews.

The conclusion is that there will now be a sister site that will cover singles. It took a lot of thinking to come up with the name "I Do Hear A Single". It will be different to LTTW in that singles will appear throughout the week and also contain a short write up.

I understand that opening a second site is not ideal for all, but there will still be a weekly post on here on Mondays. That will summarise all that has been on I Do Hear A Single during the previous week with a link to the songs, but the playable content and short review will be on I Do Hear A Single.

We will see how it all goes as the weeks go on. The start of I Do Hear A Single will be at some stage this month. There will be a LTTW Playlist this coming Monday. Any thoughts or comments? Just get in touch.

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I Do Hear A Single

Well it would appear to be over two and a half years since I've done one of these. Time Flies Blah Blah etc etc. So I'd better crack on.

Roi - Dormouse Records

Released on Sydney's wonderful eclectic label, Metal Postcard, Roi are the latest project from Brian Bordello and with son, Dan Shea on board, this is essentially two thirds of The Bordellos with John McCarthy. 

This results in a cross between Half Man Half Biscuit and lo-fi Kraut Rock. Bordello's minimal production hides what a lyrical genius he is. There's a self depreciating wit amongst the clever puns that gets missed at times.

John McCarthy makes this different to what you've heard from The Bordellos. His keyboard and electronic additions bring the Kraut Rock feel. This isn't a singalong affair, but is an extraordinary listen. B Side, Straight Outta Southport is suitably broody and inventive.

You can listen to and buy the single here.

Sundial Symphony - Merri Goes Round

If you've not been following the Big Stir Weekly Digital Singles, where have you been? An A and B Side per week for a dollar a time is the best value in the supermarket today. Robbie Rist and Don Frankel reform to offer up their single.

Performing two songs written by future author, Paul Levinson, who Frankel recorded with, the single is a revelation. Merri Goes Round is a splendid slice of late 60's Psych Pop. B Side Looking For Sunsets has a verse that could be Russell Mael and a chorus that could be The Seekers. Both are fine songs.

There is an upcoming IDHAS feature on the Big Stir Digital Single series for the upcoming third volume on CD.

You can listen to and buy this and the other singles here.

The Glad Machine - Virginia 

Northampton MA quartet, The Glad Machine return with the crunching Power Pop that you'd expect, proving that last year's superb album wasn't a flash in the pan. You can read my review of the self titled album here. 

Virginia is an urgent melodic joy, again there is much in common with Cheap Trick, even the Guitar solo. The chorus even has hints of Muse. I can't wait for the resulting album. There's also credit to Wayne from Icecream Powerpopman for debuting this single on his excellent annual compilation. 

You can listen to and download the single, free of charge, here.

Ryan Soanes - Hot Girl

This is the second time in a couple of weeks that I've been singing the praise of Norfolk based artists. I do have a penchant for Pop Punk, particularly when it's done well and this Ryan Soanes single does it incredibly well.

Hot Girls is a cross between a male Avril Lavigne and the likes of Busted. You can just imagine Butch Walker producing it, as long as he leaves those bloody hand claps at home. This is very American sounding, but isn't most Pop Punk? I can't wait to hear more with next month's full album.

You can listen to the single here and buy it everywhere.

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I Do Hear A Single Part 1

For those who aren't scholars of the IDHAS Blog, I Do Hear A Single is the Singles And EP's Review Section of the blog. We haven't had one for a couple of months, so the current feature will be a two part affair, each featuring four artists.

Here's the first four :

The Kickstand Band - Summer Dream EP

Michigan seems to be the centre of the Pop world at present and Detroit's Gordon Smith and Allison Young are adding to that reputation with this third Summer EP. The Kickstand Band offer up great dual harmonies to chirp up your life.

The lead off on the Five Track EP is Stay Inside. A great two minute slice of melodic pop. You know our feelings here song wise, say what you've got to say and move on to the next song. The final days of Brit Pop when two minute songs were fleshed out to six are long gone.





The great news is that the EP is available as a Name Your Price here. You can find all the band's back cat there too plus an opportunity to buy the bands three Summer EPs on one CD for 10 dollars.

The Drywall Heels - The Drywall Heels EP

More great pop from Toronto's The Drywall Heels. I've loved all that I've heard from the band this year, culminating in this poptastic five track EP. Great harmonies, the band groove a bit more than hook, but it's really enjoyable listening.

This EP is available as a Name Your Price, so what have you got to lose?




You can listen to and download the EP here.

Red Cabin - Willow Tree / Falling Apart

New York's Jonathan Foster is the man behind Red Cabin.  He writes great Pop Rock that compares well with the mid 70s heyday of the genre. Memorable choruses are the order of the day here. Willow Tree was one of my favourite singles of last year.

The feel at times is Alan Parsons Project without the pomp.





You can listen to the EP and download as a Name Your Price here.

Allen Clapp - Six Seasons

The last of the four is someone more familiar to many of you. Psych Pop genius, via The Orange Peels, Allen Clapp. Six songs of the usual quality, few serve the genre better. simply because of the hooks he provides.

This storming EP deserves your attention.




You can listen to and buy the EP here.