I Don't Hear A Single Best 100 Albums Of 2025 : 1-10

 

We reach the last of the 10 posts revealing I Don't Hear A Single's Best 100 Albums Of 2025. There are a few that I was surprised not to included, but it is such a large piece of work that rearranging part way through just wouldn't work. I'd remind all that any Album reviewed on here is of the highest merit. We only review what we like.

Ordering is so difficult, comparing apples to oranges and next year, I may just post 10 of the 100 per day alphabetically with one named Album Of The Year, There will be a full listing of all 100 later and tomorrow EPs will be covered with one post. Then we get on to 2026.

1   The Mommyheads - No Quietus       IDHAS Review

2  Fortitude Valley - Part Of The Problem, Baby      IDHAS Review

3    The Goods - Don't Spoil The Fun    IDHAS Review

4     Silk Cut - Corridors Of Light      IDHAS Review

5     Buddie - Glass      IDHAS Review

6    Tamar Berk - ocd    IDHAS Review

7   Chris Church - Obsolete Path   IDHAS Review

8   The Happy Fits - Lovesick    IDHAS Review

9    Custard Flux - Enter Xenon     IDHAS Review

10   Strange Neighbors - People Pleasers Pleasing People      IDHAS Review

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Tamar Berk - ocd

 

Tamar Berk is probably my favourite discovery on here. I don't meant that her discovery was down to me, I leave that for others to claim, although I suspect it is all totally down to her and since the debut album, it certainly is. I've covered all four albums to this point and I'm here with the 5th. I've been so bursting to tell you about it that I put the album in the current revived Here Is The News feature. I can't think of many artists whose complete solo career I have covered. I've also gone slightly early on Friday's upcoming Release Date.

She arrived at a strange time here in 2021. I got a fair bit of stick for an interview where I admitted that IDHAS was a male dominated affair artist wise. It wasn't in anyway misogynyst, we had covered a lot of female artists, both solo and in groups. I was just reflecting that although we go down many avenues, we will always reflect our audience. We want artists to have doors opened. I've made efforts to prove people wrong since, but I will always cover what I like, be it male, female, alien, but never AI. Tamar's album arrived and I thought, here you go, put that pipe and smoke it. If an album by a male had the arrived with the same quality, I'd have also covered that. 

In she came with a sassy rock attitude, all Indie, but self effacing and reflective and I was hooked. She was able to look at herself and tell you why she was like she is and how her anxiety affected her songs. She hasn't really changed that in anyway. It is just that album by album there have been marked changes in direction.These have not been intentional changes, Berk has just followed her muse, making albums that please her and seeing a growing following that have just got what she does. Here at album five, she has earned the right to do this more and more, both subtle and larger changed have taken place and all of them have worked. 

She can be whatever you want, genre wise, but her music is about what she wants with a hope that you will follow the path. Rocking out or delivering something breathy is just as easy. Indie, Pop, Americana, whatever you name, she can do, but she does it her way. ocd is a stellar album, it is darker, even more reflective than previous, but it is never miserable or angsty. Berk bares her soul, but only because she wants you to listen to what she thinks, nobody is gonna stick her in any corner. The album is more laidback, mellower even, fragile at times. It still has those breakout moments, but they are not as often as before. This is singer songwriter excellence, melodically wonderful, but much more restrained. 

Even the Pop Rock, slightly Disco feel of the title track is about her old condition, But just listen to the magnificent Guitar Pop of I Had A Dream I was Lost In An Auditorium. It is graced by an extraordinary arrangement. Indiesleaze 2005 has a killer chorus, chirpy, but the subject is about the danger of having time on your hands. You Ruined This City For Me is more similar to what has gone before on previous albums, corking Indie Rock with attitude. But it is the slower songs that grip you most. The Piano Pop and mood of My Turn Will Come and the Acoustic led breathiness of  Ghost Stories that bursts into a Guitar crescendo are wonderful.

I've gone on for a bit too long, but would like to leave you with my thoughts on two more songs.  I'm In The Day After is classic Tamar Berk, Indie Rock that grabs a hold of you. There Are Benefits To Mixed Emotions is much more brooding and reflective. Moody and magnificent with a breakout chorus that makes you realise that everything will be alright. ocd is the sound of an artist at the top of their game. Come and join the follower, although these days you may find it a little crowded. This album is totally spellbinding.

You can listen to and buy and listen to the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.

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Here Is The News

 

Welcome to the first Here Is The News in a while. As with everything on I Don't Hear A Single, it contains no influence whatsoever from anyone but us. We get lots of releases, PR, label contact, but we have always decided what we like and want to tell you about. 

Tamar Berk - ocd  (5 September)

Dealing with the two soonest upcoming albums first. 5 September sees the release of the new Tamar Berk album. One of our greatest discoveries, her fifth album in five years and each one has seem progression and different routes taken.  old îs a much more reflective album, darker in places and a little less rock out. 

Berk has always managed to express her feelings to great effect without angst. Moodier maybe, but I've been living with the album for a while and it is a superb listen. Mature and her development as a solo artist has been and continues to be amazing to witness.

LINK

The Wellingtons - Baby Moon (19 September)

Power Pop goodness arrives with a great fanfare as Australia's The Wellingtons return with their sixth album, the first since 2017's End Of The Summer. The trailing singles make you realise what we have missed. Outstanding Guitar Pop.

Melodic to the extreme, packed with Big choruses, Riffs to die for and a chirpiness that at times hides the lyrical adeptness of the songs. You will be singing along until your heart is content which will certainly continue into 2026.

LINK

Bird Streets - The Escape Artist (17 October)

John Brodeur  is a superb singer songwriter, taking unusual storytelling angles and displaying real depth in all that he does. Recorded with Jason Falkner, as always Brodeur wears his heart on his sleeve revealing a tenderness and exploring self doubt around wonderful memorable arrangements.

One of the most underrated artists around, his third album was recorded over four years and underlines his mastery of his art. It is also great to have Jason Falkner in tow, more about one of our great favourites later.

LINK 

The Len Price 3 - Misty Medway Magick (24 October)

The Len Price Three have been releasing singles that preview the joy of what is to come on this Wicked Cool release. Known for Mod Pop, but performing much more than that, this is an absolute Tour De Force. 

A Power Trio maybe, but the sheer pace and melody overwhelms you. Some might call them Garage Pop, but that gives an impression of noise and these are catchy songs that emphasise the tightness of the trio and the strength of Glenn Page's mellow vocals.

LINK

Cheap Trick - All Washed Up  (14 November)

Cheap Trick remain one of my all time stalwarts. A little too Rock for Power Pop, a little too Power Pop for Rock. Well into their sixth decade and still as relevant, this is their first album in four years and they sound as great as ever. 

Robin Zander in particular sounds as timeless as ever. The sound of my youth and still resonating now. All Washed Up is as melodic and sing along as you might expect. It is splendid that bands like Cheap Trick and Sparks are still releasing new material today that is just as engaging to an audience of over three generations.

LINK

The Salt Collective - A Brief History Of Blindness (21 November)

Stephane Schuck's second album has the songwriter and guitarist surrounded by what appears to be a I Don't Hear A Single who's who. Mike Mills, Chris Stamey, Mitch Easter, Andy Partridge, Jason Falkner, Kimberley Rew, Matthew Caws, Lynn Blakey and Aimee Mann are all involved.

Partridge adds two new songs, Falkner takes lead vocal on one of them. Aimee Mann appears adds vocals on two. As you might imagine from the cast list, the results are amazing a nd most of the material was not recorded remotely.

LINK

Nick Heyward - The Epic And Creation Years (4CD)  (31 October)

Nick Heyward's 90s were an inspired time. He mastered his solo years with three wonderful albums. From Monday To Sunday, Tangled and The Apple Bed. Enhanced by multiple bonus tracks including 12 demos, the strength of all three albums is revisited.

Coinciding with Brit Pop, Heyward shows that the period wasn't all about loud Guitar music. I've often been an advocate of how great much of the Pure Pop was around the outer circle of Brit Pop. Truth be known, the whole set is worth the admission for Kite alone, one of the greatest songs ever. The three individual albums are also released on Vinyl.

LINK

Finally Mommyheads return on 7 November with the release of No Quietus. I have the album here and it is truly wonderful. The New Yorkers are absolutely beloved here and more details will be released soon. Now almost four decades old, the band continue to be one of the most inventive groups that you are ever likely to hear.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 11-20

 

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.

The Top 10 appears tomorrow.

11 Custard Flux - Einsteinium Delirium     IDHAS Review

12 Feet - Make It Up      IDHAS Review

13 Log Flume - Splash Hit     IDHAS Review

14 Quivers - Oyster Cuts    IDHAS Review

15 Tom Minor - Eleven Easy Pieces On Anger & Disappointment     IDHAS Review

16 Tamar Berk - Good Times For A Change        IDHAS Review

17 The Vegetarians - Space Age Pagliacci      IDHAS Review

18 Custard - Suburban Curtains      IDHAS Review

19 Steve Robinson - Window Seat      IDHAS Review

  

20 The Trafalgars - About Time     IDHAS Review

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Tamar Berk - Good Times For A Change.

 

I  have mentioned in the past that I consider Tamar Berk to be one of the best female singer songwriters around, if not THE best. As she reaches her fourth solo album here, the previous three have all appeared in our Best Album Of The Year lists,

Berk can be gentle, scathing, laidback or in your face and provide you with a song that just engages you. There can be some lazy comparisons to Sheryl Crow or Aimee Mann. Neither is really true, but she can do both. She certainly has Crow's way with a chorus and Mann's emotional depth, but there is much more on show.

Coming from an Indie background allows a willingness to be angular, but also there are killer Guitar Pop songs. If we were using a Crow / Mann meter, the dial would flick more to Mann, but we are not. Certainly, the heart that is constantly on Berk's sleeve is most relevant here.

The variety on show is best explained by the two songs that bookend the 12 here. Good Impression is a wonderful upbeat Pop song about the mid 80s obsession with workouts and self improvement. But the real killer song is Comin' Around To Me Again.

That closer is a song of two halves. The first part is a breathy emotional affair, beautifully sung, but then the song just explodes into a Psych Feedback Guitar sensation that just shakes you up and makes you realise what a talent the lady is.

Compare those songs to what is contained inside. I Don't Mind is more straight ahead, melodic West Coast Pop Rock of the highest order, a song that gets better and better and catchier and catchier as it progresses. But compare that to Sorrow Is Hunting and the stunning Guitar lines and moodiness.

Overall, the album may appear a little quieter than those that precede it, which is not a criticism because Berk always masters melancholy and excels on Millennium Park where moody meets a wonderful Baroque Pop, almost European arrangement.

The quirkier moments resonate best with these ears. The Indie 90s joy of You Trigger Me, a song that you can dance to sounds so fresh.Artful Dodger is part Power Pop, but also enhanced by a splendid Brass arrangement that is more 60s Studio in feel and all this chipperness is matched by lyrical putdowns, the type that Berk does so well.

Good Times For A Change just enhances Tamar Berk's reputation further, no easy task four albums in. Through all the mighty arrangements and surprise directions, the lyrical strength shines through. Listen to this and then buy it. Talent deserves reward!

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is available on Vinyl, CD and as a download.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : 11 - 20

 



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

11 Thomas Walsh - The Rest Is History      IDHAS Review

12 Chris Church - Radio Transient      IDHAS Review

13 Armchair Oracles - Nothingeveris      IDHAS Review

14 Eyelids - A Colossal Waste Of Light      IDHAS Review

15 The Anderson Council - The Devil The Tower The Star Moon      IDHAS Review

16 Tamar Berk - tiny injuries      IDHAS Review

17 Smug Brothers - In The Book Of Bad Ideas      IDHAS Review

18 Odds - Crash The Time Machine      IDHAS Review

19 Mothboxer - Breathe      IDHAS Review

20 King Black Acid - The Rainbow Lodge      IDHAS Review

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Tamar Berk - tiny injuries

 

Have you got a minute to talk about Tamar Berk? She came out of the Indie Alt Rock scene, a million miles from what she specialises in solo wise. Her previous two albums have both mithered the top echelons of the I Don't Hear A Single Best Albums Of The Year.

You can read those reviews here and here. I noted in the review of the second album, Start At The End, how hard it would be following that magnificent debut album, yet Berk cleared that high obstacle with ease, so then the pressure of the next album is largely from the strength of the first two.

Berk has a mastery of genres and styles and that is revealed here in spades. If anyone had any doubts about a difficult third album, they were put on the back burner when the second single, If U Know, You Know is here in all its glory and could very well be listening to the best song that you will hear this year. 

It's jaunty chorus is a delight, but the verse is particularly special, written and performed in a similar style to Bird Streets with its use of words that allow you to know what the artist is trying to convey straight away. It also sets a marker for the rest of the album.

The difference you notice across tiny injuries is how New Wave Guitar Pop certain songs sound. Sunday Driving is another crackerjack of a song, sounding like Sheryl Crow fronting a crack Power Pop band. Walking Hurricane even goes a little Chrissie Hynde and has some wonderful organ riffs and develops into The Bangles as it progresses.

Berk is never going to raise her voice, she doesn't need to, yet her voice can take on any direction. There is also a delicateness in that voice that does aching magnificently. Till U Get Home is an Americana example of this, just as What's Become Of Me, My Friend? is singer songwriter melancholy. 

I Was Saved By The Beauty In The World is Tori Amos like Piano Pop, another incredibly moving song. Gonna Call It is a rare example of attitude, again expertly done, with a big angry chorus. That chorus is not too far away from Alanis Morrissette.

Wonderfully arranged and written songs with a lyrical adeptness match that wonderful voice that she has. tiny injuries is an absolutely storming album. No doubt about the Best Of Year again, but it is going to have to be some album to stop it actually being The Album Of The Year.

You can listen to and buy the album here on Vinyl, CD or as a download.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2022 : 11-20

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 11 : Lannie Flowers - Flavor Of The Month     IDHAS Review





No 12 : Custard Flux - Phosphorus    IDHAS Review

 

No 13 : Tamar Berk - Start At The End     IDHAS Review

 

No 14 : Maple Mars - Someone's Got To Listen          IDHAS Review

      

No 15 : Ward White - Ice Cream Chords    IDHAS Review

       

No 16 : Amoeba Teen - Amoeba Teen       IDHAS Review


 


No 17 : Greg Pope - Rise Of The Mythical Creatures     IDHAS Review

No 18 :  Communicant - Sun Goes Out   IDHAS Review

No 19 : Fuzzbubble - Cult Stars From Mars   IDHAS Review

          

No 20 : Skeleton Staff - Malapropism         IDHAS Review

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Tamar Berk - Start At The End

 

Start At The End has a real challenge and that is matching its predecessor, The Restless Dreams Of Youth, an album that rightly became a 2021 breakout album and thrilled all who heard it. You can read the I Don't Hear A Single Review here. 

So the bar is set high and if anything exceeded. There is obviously a lot going on in Berk's head and the caring about the world, dealing with the death of her father and society itself reveals an incredible depth. It would have been easy to bury yourself in woe, but there's little here of that.

There are different directions taken on this follow up, but they split largely in two camps. There is the reflective, almost Aimee Mann like in the way those songs demand your attention. Then there is the Pop Rock, which allows a breakout and provides some splendid sing along moments. 

I'm not sure if there is a Shadow Clues here, but Hoping This Day Won't Kill us comes very close. That is no criticism, because as a whole piece, the album actually betters what has gone before. It is a wonderfully consistent offering that gets better with repeated listens.

Alone Tonight goes all Sheryl Crow, You Already Knew just aches with melancholy and Real Bad Day breaks out into GoGo's pace, a real rock off. Wrong Information is like Enya doing Americana and Alone Tonight may just be the best song that Susanna Hoffs hasn't sung and has a real twang.

Then there is the glorious string arrangement on June Lake, it is almost Baroque, a truly beautiful listen. Lyrically deft and deep, Start At The Emd is an outstanding offering. Tamar Berk may just be the best Female Singer Songwriter around at the moment. I certainly don't hear any better. 

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 21-30

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.

There are few rules. All albums have to have been reviewed on IDHAS. Reissues and Live Albums are not included. Previously unreleased albums are included, but Best Of's are not. 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 21 : Quivers - Golden Doubt    IDHAS Review

No 22 : Kid Gulliver - Kismet      IDHAS Review





No 23 : The Green Pajamas - Sunlight Might Weigh Even More    IDHAS Review

 

No 24 : Tamar Berk - The Restless Dreams of Youth         IDHAS Review

No 25 : The Wry Dogs - Pigs Might Fly  IDHAS Review

 

No 26 : The Harmony Motel - Topical Depression       IDHAS Review


  


No 27 : The Successful Failures - James Cotton Mather     IDHAS Review

No 28 :  Electric Looking Glass - Somewhere Flowers Grow    IDHAS Review


 

No 29 : Chris Catalyst - Kaleidoscopes   IDHAS Review

No 30 : Surreal Prismatics - Conscious Dreams       IDHAS Review

  

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Tamar Berk - The Restless Dreams of Youth

 

I've long realised that one of I Don't Hear A Single's weaknesses is the coverage that female vocalists get. It isn't misogyny or some boys club thing. I believe and hope it is largely due to the circles I move in. I listen to a lot of music that I uncover or get sent and sadly most of the female lead stuff falls into two categories that don't appeal.

There are shouty noisy guitar led albums or the twee breathless nonsense that seems to have taken over TV Adverts. So when I hear something that really grips me, I have to shout it out and Tamar Berk is a fantastic singer songwriter in the classic mould that we used to hear a lot of, but now hear little.

There is a real lyrical depth to her songwriting. She's lived a life and tells you about it clearly and wonderfully. There is a real story telling feel to her writing, matched with an instrumental variety and a vocal that just makes you listen. 

She's equally at home with a performance that is so Brit Pop such as Better Off Meditating or as moody as Cleveland. Shadow Clues is a wonderful example of what Berk is ace at, a song that is very Beth Orton like. The frustration in the lyrics just grips you, you just think talk to her will you?

Red Ball is a splendid affair, an Indie College Rock affair that includes a Country Guitar Riff and In The Wild has a similar Country vibe, but is much more Aimee Mann. If you want moody, there's Suitcase & Gun, if you want something more jaunty try Skipping The Cracks.

The real gem here is Heavy & Abusive, a personal cry out of a song that is just outstanding. Tamar Berk has created an absolute masterpiece. A lesson for all singer songwriters. I feel like I've read a book, whilst being enchanted by a wonderful album.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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