I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : 61-70

 

For the last few 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. 

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The countdown is 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.

61 The Lunar Laugh - In The Black      IDHAS Review

62 Cult Figures - Between Us And Heaven      IDHAS Review

63 Vanity Tapes - Hiatus      IDHAS Review

64 Sandra's Wedding - The Hopeful Boy Replacement Service      IDHAS Review

65 Star Collector - Attack, Sustain, Decay... Repeat     IDHAS Review

66 The Smivets - How We Fade   IDHAS Review

67 Stephen Lawrenson - Chants Of A Lifetime      IDHAS Review

68 Dropkick - The Wireless Revolution     IDHAS Review

69 Missilkid - Missilkid      IDHAS Review

70 Alex Lahey - The Answer Is Always Yes      IDHAS Review

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Missilkid - Missilkid

 

Missilkid is the solo work of Cape Girardeau's Jordan Thurman and is excellent Indie. Indie in the sense of being a vibe or feel that can take you anywhere as the genre seems to be a catch all bigger and bigger gathering these days.

There is a lot going on across these 8 songs, but all are centred by melody and great choruses. Sounds come from anywhere. Take for instance, Hypothetically, a song that is essentially built around the keyboard sound of an Activision late 70s TV Game System. But that plinkity plonk is addictive and surrounded by a great Guitar sound and a chorus to die for.

Highlife is part Psych, part Garage Pop and again incredibly catchy. Yet, Never Gonna Feel The Same has a Psych Pop feel, but anthemic with an addictive guitar riff and another of those great choruses. Words Of Life even goes all Power Pop.

Called Out could be Prog and More Like Me is slowed down Psych that wants to be a torch ballad and is beautifully arranged. At times, the song is somewhere between a gentler Muse and Radiohead. It is a surprisingly beautiful listen, really well put together.

It Remains To Be Seen is really Trippy Psychedelic joy, the five minutes fly by and it is a great closer. But the opener, David Stole My Ride, is not too shabby in a completely different way, being a great 70s riff driven Classic Rock affair.

This self titled album is full of invention offering up unusual sounds and arrangements, yet staying chorus led and incredibly melodic. It is a smorgasbord of ideas, very clever without ever trying to be too bright. I absolutely adore it. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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