I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2019 : 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 couple of years I have compiled Best Of 2019, normally I just said what my favourite album of the year is. I've done it again, 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 patently nonsense and omits many wonderful albums.

I will compile a Top 20 of Reissues and Compilations combined after all this is complete. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the review, where you can find further details on how to listen or buy the album.



11 Andy Bopp - Maker       IDHAS Review










12 Lannie Flowers - Home       IDHAS Review

13 Mounties - Heavy Meta       IDHAS Review

14 Empty City Squares - 337       IDHAS Review








15 Daystar - The Complete Recordings       IDHAS Review








16 The Bobbleheads - Myths And Fables       Review







17 Project: Ghost Outfit - Project: Ghost Outfit       IDHAS Review

18 Scott Gagner - Hummingbird Heart       IDHAS Review








19 The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club - End Over End       IDHAS Review







20 The Mommyheads - Future You       IDHAS Review










......

Mounties - Heavy Meta

Supergroups tend to produce music of little merit, even the good ones produce an album that you revisit and think, this wasn't as good as I remember it. Most make an album that it is solely for themselves and the only nod to the listener is usually some banter to show how normal the band members are.

So anyone giving this "We didn't know how much we had in common" studio approach starts at a disadvantage and the only ways out are to produce something surprisingly outstanding or  to come up with something surprising and inventive.

Mounties largely manage to do both. The trio consisting of Hawksley Workman, Steve Bays and Ryan Dahle offered up an unexpectedly good 2014 debut album and this follow up doesn't disappoint. There's a ton of ideas across the 53 minutes, maybe a few too many.

All avenues are covered as Heavy Meta as it takes in Pop, Rock, Psych and Electronica. There's noises from everywhere. This is wonderfully inventive, but it's a lot to take in one go. However, anyone who can come up with a song as marvellous as the title track deserves persevering with. It's a constantly changing , sprawling magnificent seven minutes. This song is worth the admission alone.

There's so much variation, the early Blur like Dark Heart Suffering, the Numan-esque You Were Right. The J Pop plinkity plonk of  Modesty Plays and Devo-ish No XTC's just ratchets up the directional changes.

Amongst the Kraut Rock and Flaming Lips comparisons of other individual songs, a New Wave Pop masterpiece, Burning Money shines out. Heavy Meta will take quite a few listens, but it's exceptional and well worth the effort. Canada should be proud of these three. Heavy Meta is a fine album.

You can buy the album everywhere. You Should!


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