I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 11-20

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 11 : Mothboxer - On The Flip Side     IDHAS Review





No 12 : David Brookings - Mania At The Talent Show    IDHAS Review

 

No 13 : Edward Rogers - Catch A Cloud     IDHAS Review

 

No 14 : Nick Frater - Earworms          IDHAS Review

      

No 15 : Caper Clowns - Abdicate The Throne    IDHAS Review

       

No 16 : The Armoires - Incognito       IDHAS Review


 


No 17 : The Boxcar Suite - Every Side Of The Abyss     IDHAS Review

No 18 :  The James Clark Institute - The Colour Of Happy   IDHAS Review

No 19 : The Toms - Tomplicated   IDHAS Review

          

No 20 : Quick Fiction - Fingers Crossed         IDHAS Review

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The James Clark Institute - The Colour Of Happy

 

It has been suggested recently that I have repositioned I Don't Hear A Single to accommodate a much wider audience. I don't see that at all. IDHAS has always reflected my personal tastes. But any dissenters should be pleased with this review with an album that is in my "perceived" territory.

James Clark is from Toronto and he offers up an album of real Pop quality. Produced by Moe Berg from long time IDHAS favourites, The Pursuit Of Happiness, the collaboration is a marriage made in heaven. The Colour Of Happy is 34 minutes of Joy.

The album contains such confident mature Power Pop for what is only his second album. It sounds very UK, wonderfully so. At times it seems very Scouse Pop, when the Brass kicks in I think of The Ragamuffins and its great to hear the odd Farfisa run or two.

The main comparison that I come away with is Roddy Frame and Aztec Camera. There is also a lyrical excellence, not often seen in the genre. Little Powder Keg is in Squeeze territory, Should I Tell Her is a cross between second half of the 60's Pop and Pete Wylie.

Yellow (no not that one!) is great Beat Pop with Revue style backing, Selfish Portrait is jaunty Piano Pop of the highest order and Better Than I Remember is jingle jangle at its very best. The closer ventures close to Ben Folds.

This to me is one of the joys of Power Pop. An album full of hooks and choruses, beautifully performed and arranged, everything that a great Power Pop album should be. Listen to the album once and you will want to play it again and again. I'm well impressed. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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