Google Tag

Showing posts with label Pastis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pastis. Show all posts

Monday, 13 January 2020

I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2019 : 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 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.



31 Remo Drive - Natural, Everyday Degradation      IDHAS Review







32 Pastis - Circles       IDHAS Review







33 John Howard - Cut The Wire       IDHAS Review








34 My Little Hum - Pioneer       IDHAS Review







35 Louise Connell - Squall Echo Rale     IDHAS Review  







36 The Vapour Trails - See You In The Next World    IDHAS Review   







37 David Brookings And The Average Lookings - Scorpio Monologue       IDHAS Review







38 The Late Great - Temporary Love Songs       IDHAS Review








39 The Magic E's - Dead Star       IDHAS Review







40 The Lunar Laugh - Goodnight Noises Everywhere       IDHAS Review








......

Friday, 10 January 2020

Pastis - Circles



Helsinki five piece, Pastis, bring up memories of Brit Pop with their debut album, Circles. Well certainly Brit as they sound so anglophile. When you listen to the opener, Around Here, you get the impression that this will be a straight ahead Rock affair. The rest reveals it to not be that in the slightest.

The production is big, the melody is strong, but at times the album feels more Beat, a little 60's, even bordering on Psych Pop. The King And The Good Hangman is absolutely superb Psych Pop as good as any of the main current protagonists could offer up.








There is such variety across all 11 songs that it's hard to know where to begin. Curry and TV is classic UK Beat and Got A Light could be The Searchers. Then there is the driving organ on Amazon that is just spot on.

Valour Valour is classic 70's McCartney Pop Rock, the sort of thing you'd hear as a closer on a Brit Pop album, it is another corking song. Sheepskin Girl is Glasgow C86 and Disco Volante could be Garage Beat if it were not for the great lyrics.








There is even the big closer which is all West Coast Hippy Trippy and then merges into a big Glam Rock chorus. There is so much variety here, something for everyone. It doesn't all work. Barrack Street is a bit misconceived Cod Reggae, but the rest is fantastic.

Every now and then, an album comes out of the woodwork that just leaves you gobsmacked. This is one. It's a storming 36 minute romp. Thank goodness in these days of auto tune and Bass overload that there are bands who can make an album as fantastic as this. Highly Recommended!







The album is available on Spotify. The CD is available here and the Vinyl here.


..............