I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : Top 10

 



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.

We reach the Top 10 conclusion. Tomorrow will feature the cut out and keep guide with a list of all 100 albums. EPs will be covered on Tuesday.

1 Mythical Motors - The Sunrise Registry      IDHAS Review

2 Odd Robot - Deathmates        IDHAS Review

3 Buddie - Agitator      IDHAS Review

4 Shplang - Thank You, Valued Customer      IDHAS Review

5 The Dumbanimals - Thrift Pop      IDHAS Review

6 The Telepathic Butterflies - Plan B      IDHAS Review

7 The Mommyheads - Coney Island Kid      IDHAS Review

8 Onesie - Liminal Hiss      IDHAS Review

9 Equipment - Alt. Account     IDHAS Review 

10 Wurld Series - The Giant's Lawn      IDHAS Review

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Odd Robot - Deathmates

 

I've reviewed the last two Odd Robot albums and still absolutely love both. You can read my words on 2017's A Late Night Panic here and 2018's Amnesiastic here. The latter appeared high up in our Best 100 Albums Of The Year.

After the rapid turnaround of those two albums, it has been five years since for the latest. There are still some who refer to them as a Pop Punk when there has been little inkling of that for a while. Amnesiastic was really a New Wave Power Pop album.

2023 sees a much wider remit. The Power Pop is still alive and well, but there are additional journeys at times into 80s Guitar Pop with killer keyboard riffs and American Rock and Roll in an American Grafiti (or if you prefer Porky's!) soundtrack sort of way.

Songs are largely on the short side, not in a run out of ideas way, but in a say what you want to say and move on to the next song. What is key is that every song glistens with melody and sheer catchiness. I can't pick out any dud amongst the 17 songs. 

This makes it hard to pick out individual gems as you can miss out equal joy, I know I bang on about the liberal use of the word fuck in songs for no apparent reason, but You're A Fucking Nightmare is a gem of a song, all riff and charm in a poppier Green Day way.

Second Hand Noose is great singalong twanging affair whilst Let's Start This Over has that late 50s vibe that I mentioned earlier. Anti Revolution is a great 80s Pop duet with The Bombpops Poli van Dam which has a rapid pace and a great keyboard interlude.

Fake Warm Fuzzies Are Still Warm Fuzzies is great New Wave with a real early Costello vibe and California Emptiness is a big nod to the band's roots and shorter pants days. Take A Look At Yourself, Sinner is a crackerjack Pop Rock song.

There is even room for a Big Ballad, yes I did say Big Ballad, in Alone Together In The Sand and they nail that. Lost Inside Yr Ocean is one of the best things that you will hear this year and instrumentally as a little Jeff Lynne feel.

It is really difficult to pick out individual songs as any of there will grace your record player, Santa Ana  most be very proud of this lot. No doubt at all that this will be high up in our End Of Year. It is a terrific album, Go Buy It Now!

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl on the excellent Wiretap Records label here,

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 51-60

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 51 : The On and Ons - Welcome Aboard      IDHAS Review here.

No 52 : Odd Robot - Amnesiatic     IDHAS Review here.







No 53 : Half Man Half Biscuit - No One Cares About Your Creative Hub So Get Your Fuckin' Hedge Cut

No 54 : The Amazing - In Transit 






No 55 : Rob Clarke and The Wooltones - Big Night 







No 56 : Glowbox - Fossil Few       IDHAS Review here.







No 57 : Extra Arms - Headacher







No 58 : Big Sunset - Big Sunset      IDHAS Review here.

No 59 : Michael Simmons - First Days of Summer







No 60 : Valley Lodge - Fog Machine 







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Odd Robot - Amnesiatic

One of my favourite albums from last year was Odd Robot's A Late Night Panic. You can read that review here. I'm surprised that the Californian Quartet didn't catch on quicker after that outstanding debut album. The great news is that the follow up album, Amnesiatic is now with us and so you can remedy that loss.

Amnesiatic moves full blast into Power Pop. You can imagine the title track on the Stiff Label, equally Rescue, Rescue could be on Bomp. Billie Joe Armstrong's The Longshot have been garnering deserved praise this year, well this album is every bit as good. It also benefits from it's brevity. 14 songs in 30 minutes is Ramones like.






A song such as Cemetary Business Model has a fine hook and a big Rock Riff. Green And Yellow as a song is nothing like The Proclaimers, but the song structure is. Boil Through is a sped up joy with a solo akin to The Motors.

Hole Inside is so Joe Jackson, but with a Glam Rock Riff. West Coast Girls is rocked up Mod Pop. The biggest surprise is the closer, Screech The Turns. It's over three minutes and a slow strum. After the 100 mph journey to the last track, this is a fine closer, showing another string to Odd Robot's bow.






Amnesiatic races through at lightning speed, it's a fine fine listen and a suitably great second album.It's heads down great Power Pop. More of a UK feel this time, but a cracking listen. I can't recommend the album more highly.






You can listen to and buy the album here.

Odd Robot - A Late Night Panic

A Late Night Panic is an album that I've been really enjoying over the past couple of months. The Fullerton CA Trio have been compared to Green Day, I don't see that at all. This is classic Power Pop, comparable with the best of the Late 70's - Early 80's.

At times they could be Mod Pop, but I'd settle for the better end of the UK's New Wave Power Pop. The songs are wonderfully short, the riff count is heavy and there's a joy in the way that these mini anthems are arranged. 13 songs in 32 minutes and not a duff one amongst them.




The urgency reminds me of early Jam to be honest and songs like Summer's Out have a hint of the Not Lame days. Take With Two Pills could be an early Stiff Single. The Dues could be Secret Affair. Tired Of Walking is almost Graham Parker And The Rumour.





The album really caught me by surprise, it's one of those little gems that make this all worthwhile. A real say what you've got to say and F Off. All Killer No Filler. A Late Night Panic is a storming little album and at the crazy price of 6 dollars to download, you should head off for it now.





You can listen to and buy the album here.