I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 31-40

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 31 : Supercrush - SODO Pop    IDHAS Review

No 32 : The Speedways - Radio Sounds        IDHAS Review









No 33 : The Persian Leaps - Smiling Lessons     IDHAS Review

No 34 : Sergeant Buzfuz - Fox Pop          IDHAS Review

       

No 35 : John Howard - To The Left Of The Moon's Reflection     Review

No 36 : Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men - Downtime      Review




 




No 37 : Girl Skin - Shade Is On The Other Side     IDHAS Review

No 38 :  West Coast Music Club - Greetings From Ashton Park, West Kirby    IDHAS Review

  



No 39 : Papills - Too Hot For May   IDHAS Review

   

No 40 : 2 a.m. Orchestra - Trading Graves         IDHAS Review

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Papills - Too Hot For May

I remember a Round Table thing three years or so ago when five reviewers were brought together to discuss the future of Power Pop and Pop Rock scene. One of the discussion points was where was the current centre of Guitar Pop and without hesitation, all five of us said Sweden.

The country never fails to surprise with its regular offering of new Pop Rock and that brings us to Papills. The Vaxjo quartet offer up a debut album of jaunty summer pop and as with all great Guitar Pop, the depth is gradually revealed after repeated listens.

In the recent IDHAS Interview, Aaron from The Sunchymes eloquently explained how much harder it is to write upbeat chirpy songs. Papills effortlessly offer up ten of them and the pace only slows on the last two. I'm reminded of the great waves of Pop Rock in the last four decades.

The essence essentially is 80's Pop, but encompasses the likes of New Wave and the poppier end of Brit Pop. Think Squeeze, Deacon Blue, Wah, The Supernaturals and The Bluetones. Vocal wise, I'm often reminded of a more concise Pete Wylie.

Those first eight songs offer up some splendid feel good gems, all delivered sharpish and melodically. Too Hot For May is very Glasgow 86, All The Same treads heavily on Merseybeat and The Morning View is Wonderful Power Pop.

More than once, The Housemartins spring to mind, in style and feel, if not lyrically. What To Call It is Wylie to a tee whilst Happy Fish is like a sped up Dodgy and Played is very much in The Vapors territory. There's even time for a big anthemic finish with the excellent It's Getting Old which is Northern Uproar to a tee.

Too Hot For May is a real feel good album. We used to gear far more of this type of stuff than we do these days, which is a crying shame as we need reminding of Summer far more than we are. This is top notch and highly recommended.

You can listen and buy the albums from the links here. The whole album can be listened to on You Tube here.


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