I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 91-100

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 91 : J.P. Cregan - Twenty       IDHAS Review

No 92 : It's Karma It's Cool - Woke Up In Hollywood           IDHAS Review









No 93 : Love Sport - And Justice For All        IDHAS Review









No 94 : The Galileo 7 - Decayed           Review

No 95 : The Szuters - Sugar       IDHAS Review

No 96 : Dennis Davison - The Book Of Strongman      IDHAS Review









No 97 : Giant Eagles - Second Landing      IDHAS Review









No 98 :  Kekker - Greatest Hits Volumes 1 And 2     IDHAS Review









No 99 : Psychotic Youth - Forever And Never     IDHAS Review

No 100 : The Transpersonals - This Is the Sound Of A Ship On The River Avon    IDHAS Review

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J.P. Cregan - Twenty (Name Your Price)

 

The third album from Los Angeles's J.P. Cregan is an auto-biographical affair celebrating his 20th Wedding Anniversary. Now if that sounds a bit twee, it's because it is, but affectionately so. What Twenty is is a great solo Power Pop album released in a year when there haven't been too many.

I'm not sure if Power Pop's internal arguments have caused this. I certainly am guilty of calling out the all new power pop is crap brigade and there's still an element around of they are no Badfinger / Raspberries are they? So it is particularly refreshing to listen to an album like this.

There are no crashing guitars or big riffs present here, just well written and arranged songs. All have hooks that come from different directions and most importantly everything sounds so wonderfully chipper. The world seems a bit happier after you listen to Twenty and isn't that what music should be about?

Cregan's vocal is very reminiscent of Mental As Anything. The choruses aren't as big, but the content is far superior and the songs have a much more lasting hold. There is also a real strength in the arrangements. Melody is at the forefront and hooks and solos are never longer than they need to be.

Without ever seeking lyrical depth or wanting to, you are drawn in because the songs are just so damn great. "Love, Supplied" is a cracker, led by a sort of Pub Piano and with a Gilbert O'Sullivan feel. It is the album's big number and crams tons into four and a half minutes. 

History Of Man is a stomper with a killer hook and In California is my personal favourite, Pop at the core with a country ballad bursting to get out. You'll hear this on a future Audio Extravaganza. There really is so much here to recommend. A real feel good album. Highly Recommended!

 

You can feel even better because Twent is available at Name Your Price on Bandcamp. You can listen to and buy the album here.

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