I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 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.

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 11 : Nick Frater - Fast & Loose    IDHAS Review

No 12 : Joe Giddings - Better From Here      IDHAS Review








No 13 : Silver Sun - Switzerland     IDHAS Review

 

No 14 : Sparks - A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip          IDHAS Review

      

No 15 : Greg Pope - Wishing On A Dark Star    IDHAS Review

No 16 : Mason Summit - Negative Space       IDHAS Review




  



No 17 : The Foreign Films - Ocean Moon     IDHAS Review

No 18 :  Mooner - The Alternate Universe of Love    IDHAS Review

No 19 : Kiwi Jr. - Football Money   IDHAS Review

          

No 20 : Parsonsfield - Happy Hour On The Floor         IDHAS Review

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Mason Summit - Negative Space

 

In these days of A and R being all about algorithms and collaborations, it is easy to forget that there was a time in the 90s when labels scooped up any singer songwriter in sight resulting in the good, the bad and the ugly. Mason Summit, at 24, was a baby when this reached it's peak, but he is a reminder of those trailblazers who were just as at home with an electric or acoustic guitar. 

The intervening years haven't been as kind to this kind of troubadour to the point where they became an endangered species. Hopefully Summit marks the return of the genre, because Negative Space is one hell of an album, particularly for one so young. This is an incredibly mature album, all the way from Santa Monica.

Two artists spring to mind when you listen to the album. These are Neil Finn and Elliott Smith, although these influences are added to throughout as you are reminded of the likes of Emitt Rhodes and even Jason Falkner. The feel of the songs are also far and wide.

At times there's a hint of country to the arrangements, think Steve Earle and on the instrumental, Point Doom, you wait for Chris Isaak or Nick Cave to start singing. The quality of the song writing screams for your attention from start to finish.

Doomed From The Start is a great album opener with a gripping hook and the Bass and the Drum Fill, reminiscent of latter day Beatles. This would be the best thing on the album, if it wasn't for Confidant, the chorus in particular is pure Glenn Tilbrook.

How Does It End  moody and haunting and Better Place races along like Crowded House at their best. Cause For Concern is an acoustic joy and Move To Fear needs a Camp Fire to gather round. The title track is Jason Falkner to a tee. This is a crackerjack of an album, an absolute gem. Time to get your wallets out!

You can listen to and buy the album here and Listen or Buy at one of the links here.

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