The Amplifier Heads - Rectifier

 

Sal Baglio certainly keeps himself busy, he's everywhere, but it is in The Amplifier Heads that he seems happiest. He knows his audience and offers up both the expected and unexpected. This is the fourth album in four years and seems a little shorter than usual, but is as excellent as ever.

He has a Rock And Roll Radio reputation for loud riff driven songs that translate so well live, but that is only part of the story as every album steps into unexpected directions and Rectifier is no different, it is very diverse.

You want gutsy Guitar Rock, you get it. The likes of Underground and in particular, Rock Rules get those bones shaking, but the other directions are even more interesting. Tape Deck is great Blues Rock with Glam overtones.

Maniaxe is a heavier take on UK Glam Rock with an absolutely killer chorus, a little Sweet without the high vocal accompaniment. Space Cadette is very UK Beat and Zombie Beat is a real rarity, a Baglio Ballad that has a wonderful melodic Guitar solo.

Then there is Monsters, something really different. A slow brooding verse leading to a doo wop chorus an a short snatch of Brian May like Guitar. Headhunter is a jaunty "all together now" affair, stripped back and very effective.

Sal Baglio is a Boston stalwart that at times gets stuck with a really unfair up and at 'em reputation. The variation here should finally dismiss that reputation. Of course he can Rock, but there is also a gentler side and his songwriting stands up as well as anyone.

You can listen to and buy the album here. 

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2020 : 71-80

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 71 : Creem Circus - The Glitterest, Sladest,. Rockin'Est.Laidest, Overtime-Paidest, Boogiest Band In Town     IDHAS Review

No 72 : R.E. Seraphin - Tiny Shapes        IDHAS Review









No73 : Martin Månsson Sjöstrand Trio - Universum Faller        IDHAS Review








No 74 : The Sunchymes - The Sands Of Time           IDHAS Review

No 75 : Green Seagull - Cloud Cover       IDHAS Review

No 76 : The Black Watch - Brilliant Failures      IDHAS Review







No 77 : The Loft Club - Dreaming The Impossible     Review

No 78 :  The Vapour Trails - Golden Sunshine     IDHAS Review







No 79 : The Amplifier Heads - Music For Abandoned Amusement Parks     IDHAS Review

 



No 80 : Painted Doll - How To Draw Fire     IDHAS Review

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The Amplifier Heads - Music For Abandoned Amusement Parks

 

Boston's Sal Baglio may be rightly largely known for his adventures in The Stompers, but it is his solo adventures as The Amplifier Heads that appeal to IDHAS most. The man is inventively prolific. You never know what to expect, but whatever it is is wonderful.

His previous album to this, Sonic Doom was a marvellous collection of  lo fi recordings that would have been lauded by all if it was recorded by a 20 odd year old Indie Bedroom kid. Everything that I admire about Baglio was present. 25 songs, every one different, out Newelling Martin, Partridging 

 

The outburst of ideas means there has already been an EP before this and an EP since, despite this album only being released this month. Here he returns to a more defined Pop. Music For Abandoned Amusement Parks is a concept album, but that doesn't mean wanky pretentiousness. This is an album that stands up in its own right.

The title gives away the subject, but more relevant is the underlying theme of lost youth and the Now v Then. There is plenty of the straight forward here. Funhouse Mirrors is American Graffiti, Candy Apple Girl is country yee haw and Ghost Song is gentle melodic Jangle.

Even in this pop laden first half, there's also room for two instrumentals, one a tumbleweed weeper, the other a summer gone affair. It is the Indie Rock that delights IDHAS most. Song For Abandoned Amusement Parks is the nearest that you will get to XTC without being XTC, Freaks is a freak out, very Guided By Voices. 

Welcome To Deathworld is so Cleaners From Venus, Black Mascara could easily be on a David Lynch soundtrack and Freaks is a moody, Johnny Cash like, ending of despair. Freaks is so out of tune with the rest of the album, beautifully so. 

There's still time for the running title track theme to morph into a five minute finale to end a wonderful trip. The beauty of Baglio's work is that he never overdoes anything. Every idea is a say whay you want to say and get off. There is so much variation here, but this is packed into 36 minutes. There is no turning three minute songs into seven, they stay at three minutes.

I can't recommend this album highly enough. I could say that this is the best thing that has ever appeared under The Amplifiers Head banner, but that would be just until the next one. Well done that Man! You can listen to and buy the album here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2019 : 91-100

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.


No 91 : The Persian Leaps - Electrical Living       Review










No 92 : Pattie - Cotton Candy, Rusty Nails           IDHAS Review









No 93 : Philip B. Price - Bone Almanac        Review









No 94 : RPWL - Tales From Outer Space        IDHAS Review

No 95 : The Laissez Fairs - Marigold       Review









No 96 : The Amplifier Heads - Loudah      Review









No 97 : Mondello - Hello- All You Happy People      Review









No 98 :  The Resonars - No Exit      IDHAS Review









No 99 : Cassettes - Wild Heart      IDHAS Review








No 100 : The Taylor Machine - Hometown Advantage       IDHAS Review

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