I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 61-70

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 61 : Car City - Car City            IDHAS Review here.






No 62 : Ken Sharp - Beauty In The Backseat      IDHAS Review here.






No 63 : Gleeson - The Years Have It 






No 64 : David James Situation - Redondo Sunset      IDHAS Review here.

No 65 : Dana Countryman - Cabaret Of Love 






No 66 : Dave Paulson - Sandusky Ohio      IDHAS Review here.






No 67 : Blake Jones & The Trike Shop - Make 

No 68 : Paul Collins - Out Of My Head

No 69 : Kidd - Where Are The Strange People?      IDHAS Review here.






No 70 : Paul Steel - Carousel Kites 

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Kidd - Where Are The Strange People?

Stuart Kidd's time in the likes of BMX Bandits and The Wellgreen confirm his credentials as part of the Glasgow Music Mafia. There can be a tendency for Scottish bands to want to be Big Star or perhaps a cross between Teenage Fanclub and Nada Surf. There is none of that here.

Where Are The Strange People? is more in Wellgreen territory, but a much in a much more poppier space. Kidd puts the Pop into Psych Pop and these 11 songs form an enchanting laid back joy. I'm a little late to the review party, I've been meaning to review this for a while. This tardiness shouldn't fool people into thinking that the album isn't a priority, because it's a cracking piece of work.





I've seen the album described as lo-fi, I don't hear any of that, it sounds great blasting out here. It's a pastoral trippy affair that never loses sight of wanted to be melodic. There's a real charm here. It does hint heavily at Psych, but not in a far out man kinda way. The instrumental, Calisto, is a bit getting it together in the country with added tape hiss, but the rest of the album is a real sit back and enjoy affair.

Baby Bird could be a 1970's low calorie Bread TV Advert, Misty's Golden Years has a real wit and is almost Blue Mink. Mr Bumble Bee is mentioned in the opener, Little Flower and you can readily imagine those Bees. There's an almost Motown Back Beat to the Summer driven lyrics.





An Afternoon Is April is a great slab of Folk Pop, Independence Day reminds me of John Howard until the beat driven drum close, but it's Looking For The Way Out that I identify most with. That is a perfect example of how to write a Psych Pop song, it doesn't have to all be about backward guitars.

Where Are The Strange People? is beautifully put together, perfect for Summer Days. It's a splendid collection of songs. Turn On, Tune In, but don't Drop Out.





You can listen to and buy the album here.