I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2022 : 91-100

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

This year, the standard has been the highest since I DHAS 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. 

No 91 : Starter Jackets - Dead Malls       IDHAS Review

No 92 : Phil Angotti - Once Around Again          IDHAS Review





No 93 : The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness - The Third Wave Of        IDHAS Review

No 94 : The Airport 77s - We Realize You Have A Choice          IDHAS Review

No 95 : The Confusions - Black Silhouettes      IDHAS Review

No 96 : Bigger - Les Myosotis     IDHAS Review

 

No 97 : The Stroppies - Levity      IDHAS Review





No 98 : The Smivets - Mountain Highway     IDHAS Review

No 99 : Fontanarosa - Are You There?   IDHAS Review

No 100 : The Wheel Workers - Harbor    IDHAS Review

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

Starter Jackets - Dead Malls

 

When I reviewed Starter Jackets' splendid Fucked It Up For Everyone in 2020, I mentioned the difference in Lanny Durbin and Luke McNeill's songwriting. The former was in Power Pop, the latter more melodic Garage Punk. 

I did expect great things from the Dayton Ohio quartet and Dead Malls doesn't disappoint. The album feels far more Power Pop, but their Punk Pop roots haven't been forgotten particularly on songs like No Good Deed and In Smithereens, but largely the format is a much better produced alternative to UK peers, The Speedways.

That production is the icing on the cake that makes this a real contender for Power Pop album of the year. A great batch of 10 songs packed full of riffs, big choruses and hooks and bursting out with melody, this is what the genre should be like. For all my love of Lo Fi, there is no greater listen than this loud melodic Guitar Pop.

From the opening Outer Reaches to the closing Just Want Out there is no let up in quality. There is no room for ballads or a wish to slow down, everything is done at pace. The album can be fairly compared with the great 90's Wave of Power Pop and Pop Rock.

The title track is straight from the New Wave of the late 70s with anthemic Guitar solos and On My Feet is riff-orama at its very best. There is no front loading here, the album gets better and better as it progresses. The best song may be Track 7 with Crush Me Up.

Deep Cuts has an Only Ones like riff and Just Want Out jangles out 1979 UK New Wave at ease. Dead Malls is a wonderful joyful listen that will remind you of why Power Pop can be the most uplifting, feel good genre around. A wish to both serenade and rock you is stamped across this fine fine album.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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

Starter Jackets - Fucked It Up for Everyone EP

I could easily revive two long standing points of view of what is and isn't Power Pop and that Pop Punk bands get a really unfair rap, but why should I? This EP has everything you could need for a splendid listen, so no need to argue or confirm prejudices, just Enjoy.

We also have another example of a fine band from Dayton Ohio. Starter Jackets are a quartet with two writers, both who get two songs each on this EP and both who take the lead vocal on their songs. This not only helps the variety, but also underlines the talent.






Lanny Durbin's songs are much more in Power Pop territory and fantastically so. Bad Application has already been played on a recent IDHAS Audio Extravaganza and is probably the stand out song of the four. This is accompanied by Foreign Bodies which is a real riff-a-thon.

Luke McNeill's two songs have more in common with melodic Garage Punk, particularly The Ramones. Dark Days is a great romp. The mix here of UK New Wave and New York noise blends superbly and results in a highly recommended listen.







You can listen to and buy the EP here. It is also available as a 7 Inch with a choice of three colours, which the material is most suited to.



.........