I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 41-50

 

For the last eight years We 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. A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended. A reminder that only new albums are included among these 100.

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The 100 albums are posted in reverse batches of 10. For each album, A song is embedded from the album and a link is provided to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album.

41 Gentlemen Rogues - Surface Noise     IDHAS Review

42 Macseal - Permanent Repeat       IDHAS Review

43 Mt. Misery - Love In Mind     IDHAS Review

44 I Do You Do Karate - III      IDHAS Review

45 Caddy - Caddy     IDHAS Review

46 The Junipers - Imaginary Friends        IDHAS Review

47 Steve Conte - The Concrete Jangle      IDHAS Review

48 Nick Frater - The Rebutles 1967-1970      IDHAS Review

49 The Resonars - Electricity Plus      IDHAS Review

  

50 Extra Arms - Radar     IDHAS Review

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Macseal - Permanent Repeat (Bandcamp Name Your Price)

 

We loved Macseal's 2019 debut album, Super Enthusiast, you can read our review here. In the review, we mentioned that some of the best bands that come into Pop Rock from EMO or Pop Punk turn out to be the best in their new genre and that album was a great example of such.

In the five years since that album, the New York quartet have honed their skills and this second album edges more into Power Pop. Great melodic Power Pop, all melody, riffs and big big choruses. Permanent Repeat is not only a great summer album, but goes far beyond that.

The new breed of Power Pop bands have a slightly noisier take, whereas Macseal go for something more traditional, more 90s, but also add a modern take at times, via beats and production. This really works as it opens up a slightly different angle to the poptastic fairy on display. 

Easily Undone is a great example of this, yet October is a short acoustic almost Beach Boys affair. The title track even gets all Jangly Glasgow, very Dropkick or dare I mention it Teenage Fanclub with its unexpected guitar fest breakout.

Your Door gets all 90s US Sitcom Theme Tune, think The Rembrandts, yet still rocking it up as the song progresses. Hide Out is one of the great fast / slow examples around, changing tempo at will. There's even a big jangling storytelling ballad to close proceedings with a killer, almost Tsar like, chorus.

Yet A+B is such a gentle laidback opener, more Indie Pop, that gives you a slightly false impression of what is coming. A special mention has to be given to Beach Vacation, a killer song, chock full of harmonies and joy. Permanent Repeat is great Power Pop and we all want some of that.

You can listen to and download the album here. The album can be bought in one of three Vinyl versions and CD here.

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Macseal - Super Enthusiast

I've often said that bands from the EMO and Pop Punk field are the most impressive, interesting and innovative when they stretch out from the genre. If they can stand the Sell Out accusations, the material takes on a whole new life.

Such an example is New York quartet, Macseal. Three great EPs have led to this debut album. Those EPs were primarily EMO, but the time spent has developed into Super Enthusiast and what a varied left field Indie album this is. Tip Top is the word to describe it.






Comparisons come naturally, but the band seem equally at ease with IRS College Rock as Glasgow C86 and UK New Wave. All this and there is more than a hint of light Grunge and complex prog like time chord changes at times. There is also a hint of Dream Pop.

Confused? Don't Be. Just listen! There's a real slacker feel to Nothing's A Sure Thing, Shelley. but that song enjoys a Postcard label like riff. Compare the moody Picture Perfect with it's a Killer solo to the Safe Spot, a hybrid, say The Raincoats doing Math Rock.






It's the Pop and hooks that shine through most though. Lucky For Some has a jangly catch all feel, Always Hazy is inspired Flower Pop. Irving feels all Friday I'm In Love sound wise. These hooks combined with the complexity, almost Modern Prog, of Mystery Inc.

So much is packed into these 11 songs. Super Enthusiast is an outstanding debut. Whatever Indie is, it should be this. I look forward to hearing much more from macseal. I can't recommend this album highly enough.






You can listen to and buy the album here.


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