I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 31-40

 

For the last eight 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. A reminder that only new albums are included among these 100.

Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The 100 albums are 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.

31 Lunchbox - Pop And Circumstance     IDHAS Review

32 The Society Of Rockets - Tough Trip Through Paradise      IDHAS Review

33 The Smashing Times - Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys     IDHAS Review

34 Sharp Class - Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World)     IDHAS Review

35 Alex Pester - Boy     IDHAS Review

36 Supermilk - High Precision Ghosts        IDHAS Review

37 Velvet Attack - Visions From Inner Space      IDHAS Review

38 Pulse Park - First Second      IDHAS Review

39 Rural France - Exactamondo!      IDHAS Review

  

40 The Special Pillow - Meets The Space Monster     IDHAS Review

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Pulse Park - First Second

 

I loved Pulse Park's debut Phonac Music, so much so that it was one of the albums in our Best 100 Albums Of 2022. So it is ace to listen to the Dortmund Trio's follow up and this again demonstrates the band's versatility.

I may appear contradictory, but this sounds a bit Poppier at times, but at others, it feels heavier and louder than what has gone before. What seems to have largely taken an Exit Stage Left is the Shoegaze element and this really works making the songs even more accessible.

Instrumentally, Pulse Park seem to have moved to an even greater level and become a real Power Trio. Songs are built around a wonderfully locked Rhythm Section that enhances the driving riffs. But the key take here is melody.

They also raid the genres well. Verbatim is nearer Psych Rock and a little Goth. Yet Binary could be Brit Pop. Wide Array is great Pop Rock, whilst Briars mixes 90s Rock with Indie Rock. Marginal Gains instrumentally even gets close to Neil Young.

Union Jones is a reminder of the Shoegaze of the debut, but Dylan is more in tune with modern Indie Rock. Dark Empath even gets close to Mew. Then there is the splendid Pop Rock closer that is Inertia And Mass that may just be the song that grabs most listeners here. It isn't that far away from 90's Power Pop.

The variety is the real strength here. Too many of the bands that follow similar paths is make 3 minute songs into 5 minute songs with unnecessary repeats and extended outros. Songs are just the right length here making this an album that will appeal to those who like melody and those who like Rock. Excellent!

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can learn more about the band on their website here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2022 : 81-90

This year, the standard has been the highest since IDHAS began six and a half years ago. Narrowing things down to this 100 as been really difficult. For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review where you can find further details and how to listen or buy the album. 

A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended. 

No 81 : The Minders - Psychedelic Blacktop       IDHAS Review

No 82 : Nick Piunti And The Complicated Men - Heart Inside Your Head      IDHAS Review

   

No 83 : Pulse Park - Phonac Music      IDHAS Review





No 84 : Secret Molecules - Secret Molecules      IDHAS Review

No 85 : Kevin Stevenson - Reality Alley      IDHAS Review

No 86 : Walker Brigade - If Only      IDHAS Review





No 87 : The Well Wishers - Blue Sky Sun      IDHAS Review     





No 88 :  The Dead Century - The Well       IDHAS Review

No 89 : Northern Portrait - The Swiss Army      IDHAS Review

 

Matinée Recordings · Northern Portrait - At Attention

No 90 : Gaz Hunter - Lysergic Soundscapes Of Dreamadelica      IDHAS Review

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Pulse Park - Phonac Music

 

A trio of reasons led to me to this trio. I'm an admirer of Brighton's Shoredive Records label who are a great supporter of new music, particularly Shoegaze. Nathalie kindly sent me this album. Then a late night social media message from the band was cheeky enough to get me more interested.

Finally, I have a lot to review at present, but most of it was melodic Pop Rock or albums that have a while to release date. Pulse Park are an obvious diversion from both and I love the album. This is a debut that sounds so assured and the band know what they do best. 

Phonac Music seems caught between late 80s UK Indie College Rock, the likes of Dinosaur Junior and 90s Shoegaze and it works a trio. The material doesn't naturally relate to a Power Trio, but when the band let go they become one.

Generally though they hit a much gentler vibe. They hit a riff and stick to it in a way Teenage Fanclub do, but Pulse Park haven't got The Byrds and Big Star fixation. There's a lot of the Glasgow Indie Rock of the past.

Shoegaze isn't necessarily noted for choruses, but there are plenty here, particularly on the magnificent Apollonian Heart which has a chorus to die for as well and even rocks out. It is a killer song and sets the seal on a fine album.

Elsewhere Antibody kicks in with a Post Punk punch and Strange Matter is like a rocked up Dropkick with a riff that is dying to break out into a solo, but never quite manages it. Sine Wave even heads into the UK New Wave Beat of the late 70s.

Beautifully produced and expertly played, seldom is a debut album so accomplished. This type of album was really prevalent four or five years ago. The fact that it isn't now makes Phonac Music sound like a refreshing change and I certainly appreciate listening to something different from the norm. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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