The Gold Needles - Mood Elevator

 

Over to Hull for I Don't Hear A Single regulars, The Gold Needles. I'm sort of proud of our association with them since 2018's debut album, Pearls. I've reviewed all three previous albums which have appeared in our Best 100 Albums Of The Year.

They are a band that support others, something that doesn't always happen here in the UK. They fit perfectly on the Big Stir label, a sort of natural home and I also feel a little guilty about taking 3 months to review this fourth album.

To be honest, the December release date was a strange one. We leave the Reviews and the resulting Best Of Year, but I just couldn't get around to a proper listen with all the tying things up and preparing for the End Of Year thing. We intend to approach 2026 differently with an earlier publication date as the way we have approached things in the past means it is mid February before we get into the following year.

So I felt that getting to March may be the best time to present this review as the Best Of 2026 is out of the way and out of sight. I can now concentrate on the words for this melodic gem. As ever beautifully produced centring more around Pop Rock.

There's a lot to note, but I'll concentrate on a few main takes. Firstly, Simon Dowson's pipes are as in great form, gentle for most of the time, but wonderfully affecting. Secondly, his guitar work is stunning, through riffs and solos, this is a Guitar album of the highest order.

Finally, Mood Elevator is a Pop Rock album, but this time the genre leans more towards Power Pop. The Psych Pop has been largely smoothed out. I'm a bit sad about that, but a more focussed direction certainly helps a great deal.

There are outliers which work well, for instance the funk and 80s synth led title track. Crescent Moon gets a little Classic Rock, but jangles wonderfully. Pale Blue Silver Eyes sounds more 70s, the vocal is very Justin Hayward.

Turns To Gold even has UK Glam Rock overtones. But it is the Power Pop that resonates most. I Don't Know About That, Eleven Eleven and Keep On Telling Me Why are absolute winners as the whole album does. Pop Rock never sounded so good.

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

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : 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 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 31 : A.M. Slingers - A.M. Slingers    IDHAS Review

No 32 : The Gold Needles - What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You        IDHAS Review





No 33 : The Junior League - Bridge And Tunnel     IDHAS Review

No 34 : Iain Hornal - Fly Away Home          IDHAS Review

      

No 35 : Ex Norwegian And Friends - Sing Jimmy Campbell     IDHAS Review

No 36 : Peter Hall - Light The Stars      IDHAS Review


  


No 37 : Mark & The Clouds - Waves      IDHAS Review

No 38 :  The Legal Matters - Chapter Three    IDHAS Review

  

No 39 : Byron Rimes - Byron Rimes Greatest Hits   IDHAS Review 

 
No 40 : Steve Robinson - Swallowing The Sun       IDHAS Review

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The Gold Needles - What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You (Updated)

The Gold Needles are from Hull, but you really feel they should be from the West Coast Of America. It has been great to see their development on this their third album. I reviewed their first two albums on here and number three doesn't disappoint. It is also worth noting that Mark English, the keyboard player, is one of the nicest guys that you could ever be introduced to. 

The band specialise in a type of Psych Pop that is very Sixties with the emphasis more on Pop. It is a brand of Psych Pop that certainly isn't Paisley Shirt, more like Fisherman's Jumper. A cross maybe between Graham Nash era Hollies and The Seekers.

That's not to give the impression that this is an album for pipe and slippers. When the band break out, they do so with an admirable urgency. Story Of My Life is a smashing slice of New Wave Power Pop and Suzie Is Sorted is 1974 UK Glam Rock at it's best whilst still having overtones of 60's Toy Town Pop in the chorus.

Dead Man's Hand verges on Blues Rock, almost Blue Oyster Cult at times and the lead single, Billy Liar is an absolute joy. The latter sums up everything that is great about The Gold Needles, it is a romp of a single, there are hooks everywhere.

Special mention must go to the wonderful mind blowing, Realm Of The Black Dog, an absolute Psych masterpiece about Depression. It could very well be the best thing that you will hear all year. The title track, I Get The Pressure and Precious Times are more in the aforementioned, laidback pop mould, all great songs, beautifully played, arranged and sung, 

Three covers in a 12 song set is a lot, but The Hollies' Have You Ever Loved Somebody? is an exceptional version of a great song and more people should cover The Sound. The resulting Counting The Days is very different to what surrounds it, maybe a more modern slant. I'm not sure though that the world needs any more Beatles related covers, other bands are available.

I'm convinced that listening to this album will drive potential buyers to open their purses. What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You is a fantastic album, at its best when it explodes out. I don't see many other bands that are as consistently excellent as this lot. Highly Recommended.

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

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Kool Kat Musik Weekly New Release Update

Welcome to the Kool Kat Weekly New Release Update. Kool Kat are distributed in the UK and Europe by I Don't Hear A Single as part of our aim to keep CDs available and affordable. The Kool Kat Links with each album take you to further details on each release.

This is the last week of THE KOOL KAT 10% OFF SALE which runs until Sunday, February 28!  Over the years the sale has been held traditionally in January, but due to delayed delivery issues within the US Postal system, Kool Kat decided to hold off until the system was running a little smoother.  If paying by credit card, the discount will be applied to your order at checkout.  If paying by PayPal, you will be refunded the difference upon receipt of the order.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SALE APPLIES TO NEW CDs, AND USED CDs.  ALL MULTI-PURCHASE DISCOUNTS (2-FERS, ETC) AND ALL NEW RELEASES ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2021 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.  YOU MAY WANT TO ACT QUICKLY – WHEN KOOL KAT RUN THESE TYPES OF SALES, A LOT OF TITLES SELL OUT AND ARE NOT RE-STOCKED.  IF THEY ARE OUT OF A SPECIFIC TITLE OR TITLES, THE DISCOUNT WILL STILL BE APPLIED TO ANY THAT CAN STILL OBTAINED IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THEM KEPT ON BACKORDER.

Please place all UK and European orders by following the details here. Links to Kool Kat's Entire Stock can be found here. Without further ado, here are seven new additions to Kool Kat Musik this Week.

Brian Bringelson - Burning Backwards (Kool Kat Musik) 2021      $13

NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT MUSIK LABEL – AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 26 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!!  Brian’s brilliant 2020 release “Desperate Days” has garnered rave reviews, such as – “Smart pop with big harmonies and bigger choruses”,   and certainly caught our attention.  In the past we’ve sold Brian’s releases as Paul Starling, but had no idea it was him that was the one producing such fine, melodic music.  Brian recorded most of the tracks for “Burning Backwards” in 2019 while his band Anchor & Bear was recording their second album “Raincoats and Gold”.  Having the good fortune to record tracks with the band and then head home and work on solo material was truly a luxury for him.  At the time he didn’t really have the idea of releasing a solo album and mainly had his sights set on the new Anchor & Bear release.  But after that was said and done he found himself with a batch of solo songs that seemed like they might make up a cool little album – which they most certainly do. Instead of putting out another Paul Starling album he decided to just release it under his own name. If you liked “Desperate Days”, you’re gonna like “Burning Backwards“ just as much! 

Kool Kat Link

Apple Music Link

Dolph Chaney - This Is Dolph Chaney (Big Stir Records) 2021      $12

                                                   

“This Is Dolph Chaney” is the follow up to last year's watershed release “Rebuilding Permit” and features 13 tracks produced by Nick Bertling.  The album is hot on the heels of the many honours and breakthroughs of 2020 which culminated in his coronation as Woody Radio's “Artist Of The Year”.  The title reflects the game plan that organically drove the collaboration: an album featuring new arrangements of what had been solo lo-fi songs from Dolph's back catalogue that begged for something more.  Bertling introduces a clear, direct approach to the songs written between 1991 and 2008, sourced from five of Dolph's albums. Resulting in all receive empathetic reworkings – some drastic, some subtle, all emblematic of the “next level” production mastery that Bertling brings to the table.

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

Rob Fetters - Ship Shake (Baby Ranch Records) 2020      $15

Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Rob Fetters (The Bears, Psychodots, The Raisins) is here to remind us that intelligent pop music is still possible in the modern music era.  Introspective, a little spiritual, and quite snarky at times, Fetters fires through a set of mostly up-tempo rockers that bring a smile while displaying the maturity of a man living his life with his heart on his sleeve and dealing with the consequences of doing just that. The record is, in most respects, a textbook example of Fetters' artful craft.  Sonically, the songs range from bracing and engaging Pop Rock to lilting balladry. 

    

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

The Gold Needles - What’s Tomorrow Ever Done For You? (JEM Records) 2021      $15

Hull's The Gold Needles’ third album, following their critically acclaimed sophomore effort “Through A Window. The band seemed to get compared to many influences, but the sound and performances are distinctly their own. Superb Psych Pop with the emphasis on Pop. The Grip Weeds’ Kurt Reil guests on background vocals, drums, and mixing and mastering.  "What's Tomorrow Ever Done For You?" is a little more commercial than the previous two albums, but lacks none of the band's trademark depth.

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

MOM - Pleasure Island (Self Released Sweden) 2020     $11

MOM offer up a debut album of great guitar pop.  For a band so young to be so 1979 and yet so refreshing and endearing is no mean feat. The feel is definitely turn of the 70's US New Wave and it is done incredibly well.  The hooks are everywhere. The choruses are big. The songs are one long sing along. There's nothing complicated here, just well written songs from a trio who are obviously enjoying themselves..  

Kool Kat Link 

Bandcamp Link

The Scruffs - Teenage Tragedies 1974-1979 (Mono-Tone Records France) 2020      $15

Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, The Scruffs are best known for their classic power pop LP “Wanna Meet The Scruffs?” issued in 1977 on Power Play Records.  One of the great lost Power Pop bands are anthologised. We should all be grateful. 

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

The Shambles - Live At The Casbah (Snap!! Records Spain) 2020      $16

Originally released in 2013, and unavailable for some time, Spain’s Snap!! Records re-issues “Live At The Casbah”, adding two tracks to the original 12 track release!  The songs were recorded at the San Diego, CA club in 2004.  Essentially. The Shambles are a San Diego Mod revival combo that missed the local 80’s Mod revival by a good half-decade.  They were at their best Live.

Kool Kat Link  

Bandcamp Link

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2019 : 61- 70

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.



61 Traffik Island - Nature Strip      IDHAS Review








62 Rainbow Danger Club - Treehouse Empire       IDHAS Review








63 Mannequin Pussy - Patience       IDHAS Review








64 Doug Tuttle - Dream Road       IDHAS Review








65 The Gold Needles - Through A Window       IDHAS Review

66 Big Eyes - Streets Of The Lost       IDHAS Review

67 Bottlecap Mountain - Dismayland      IDHAS Review 

68 Fangclub - Vulture Culture       IDHAS Review

69 The Greek Theatre - When Seasons Change       IDHAS Review

70 The Needs - You Need The Needs      IDHAS Review 








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The Gold Needles - Through A Window

I like to believe that I have finger on the pulse of UK stuff, it isn't necessarily so, because as I mentioned in the review of Pearls, the debut on the Kool Kat label here, it was the purveyor of physical delights and Kool Kat King, Ray Gianchetti, that introduced me to the band.

There's something lacking with my antennae when someone from Nooo Yawwwwwwwwk tells me about a band that resides in the grim North as both band and I do. Since then there's been a growing love of the gentle Psych Pop that The Gold Needles master.

Strangely, or perhaps not strangely at all, most I meet think that the band are part of the Big Stir crowd. I can see why people would think that as they share the same ethic as Christina and Rex's growing Band Of Brothers (and Sisters), of which I'm proud to be involved with in a very small way. It's to Big Stir's credit that their reputation is so high, they are the Masters of the Power Pop and Pop Rock scene.

Through A Window, the band's second album gets a big release on Marty Scott's Jem label and it's splendid that the band gets to appear on the same label as Nick Piunti, yet still holds all the Fruits De Mer love.

The Gold Needles return with more excellent Psych Pop on Through A Window. The band will delight their ever growing UK following with their new wave take on UK Beat. The album builds on their live reputation as one of the best live bands on the scene. More importantly, this could and should be the album that breaks them worldwide.

They build on the ability to bring great variety in their material and Through A Window celebrates this strength in a focused melodic way. The Gold Needles are the best thing to come out of Hull since Mick Ronson and The Housemartins, they've been the UK's secret for too long.

Don't expect crashing Guitars and big licks here, the album Rocks, But Gently. The Jangle factor is high, the melodies shine through, but it's a thankfully, like the best Psych Pop, this is all understated and leisurely. There's even Brass fighting the 12 Strings on Girl You Will Be Mine.

Covers of The Monkees' I'm Gonna Try and The Lemon Pipers' The Shoemaker of Leatherwear Square fit in with the eight original songs beautifully. Incidentally, I hear Lemon Piper influences across the whole piece.

Goodnight Mr Tom closes the album, a real Jangle Fest which is a tribute to Tom Petty. Through A Window is a splendid listen. Top Notch stuff from one of the better UK Bands to emerge in the last few years. Well done all!

You can buy the album on Amazon here and everywhere else too. US people should head to Kool Kat here. You can listen to the album here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 11-20

2018 has been a fantastic year for the type of music that we like. 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 Top 10 person, I just think what's the point.

However, for the first time last year, I did a Top 50, normally I just say what my favourite album of the year is. I've simply done it again, because those five posts of last year were so popular and the aim of this Blog is to get exposure (and Sales) for the artists.

As I said the standard this year is incredibly high, so much so that I've extended the choice to 100 albums. 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.

For each album, I've posted a song from it and a link to the IDHAS Review if applicable.


No 11 : The Ragamuffins - Cause Of Causes     IDHAS Review here.







No 12 : Andy Bopp - Wherewithal      IDHAS Review here.

No 13 : Vegas With Randolph - Legs And Luggage






No 14 : Mothboxer - Open Sky






No 15 : The Gold Needles - Pearls       IDHAS Review here.





No 16 : Greg Pope - A Few Seconds Of Fame    IDHAS Review here.





No 17 : Nick Piunti -Temporary High     IDHAS Interview here.






No 18 : Fernando Perdomo - Zebra Crossing 





No 19 : McPherson Grant - Song





No 20 : SUPER 8 - Hi Lo 



 


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The Gold Needles - Pearls

I Don't Hear A Single is usually looked upon as my own little kingdom, but there as always been far more to it than that. There is still an Inner Circle extending from the Anything Should Happen Days. This Secret Society recommends artists and albums to one another and some of those gems you see here.

Nick Fletcher is a lynch pin, becoming something of a European Correspondent, but we also have Mick Dillingham, Ian Rushbury and Ray Gianchetti. The latter remains in charge of the last physical outpost of the music we love at Kool Kat Musik and it is with him that my Gold Needles fascination began.

It was during a weekly catch up with Ray that he suggested The Gold Needles warranted my attention. Within a flash, the band had sent me a CD and in the meantime Ray had released Pearls, the debut album on the Kool Kat label. I was hooked on the band, the eclectic nature of what they do just appealed and I've been playing Pearls ever since.






You can read my interview with Mark English here and I thought I'd elaborate more by reviewing the album a little more. Knowing a bit about the band's history, I thought Pearls would be psychy, trippy, less commercial Fruits De Mer enjoyment. Not a bit of it!

The nature of the album, a compilation of their non soundtrack and compilation recordings, allows that originality and versatility to thrive. However that can have a slight downside. 18 Tracks on an album can overawe first time listeners. Combine that with The Gold Needles output being particularly suited to vinyl and you can find a solution. The upcoming Vinyl release is a cut down 13 tracks and that works even better. More on that later.

I generally associate two things with Hull, both equally dear. They are Mick Ronson and The Housemartins, now I have a third, because The Gold Needles are that good. They encapsulate everything I want in Psych Pop, more emphasis on the Pop and less on the backward guitar and Sitar.






Simon Dowson's vocal lends itself beautifully to the laid back dreamscapes of the likes of Daydreamer's Song, City Jungle and Lookout Mountain, but my interest perks even more when the band venture into Pop.

The opener and title track, Pearls, is pure 80's New Wave, think Ric Ocasek. Ghost In The Airwaves is Psych Pop joy and Story Of My Life again conjures up visions of mid 80's Synth Pop Rock. Not Tonight Josephine could be Peter Noone.






Pressure could be Billy Fury fronting latter day Roxy Music, Not Tonight Josephine is like something from a 1960's UK Kitchen Sink Film. Dreamscape Time is immense, a near Seven minute that breaks into an epic Pink Floyd like close. It's awesome.

So finally, the band are taking pre-orders for the Vinyl Edition of Pearls. a 50p deposit secures a copy of this very Limited Edition. With the album, you will also get a free high quality download. You can find details of how to pre order here.







You can buy the CD Version at Kool Kat here. You can also listen to the album and if you don't want something wonderful to sit beautifully in your Album collection, purchase the download here.

IPO Liverpool 2018 Preview : The Gold Needles

The Gold Needles are from Hull and the new album, Pearls, is one of the best things that I've heard this year. I'll not dwell on the album too much, because there's a lengthy review to appear here after the IPO Previews are done.

Although the band are well in with the Fruits de Mer crowd, they are definitely at the poppier end of that brigade. What The Gold Needles do is hard to pin down, equally comfortable with Psych as Pop, one minute they sound all latter day Be Bop Deluxe, the next it's reminiscent of The Cars.

That is what makes the album so good. It's incredibly varied, but at it's heart there are real pop sensibilities, no matter how left field it goes. I can't recommend Pearls highly enough. It's a corking 18 track ride.

Here I talk to Mark English about the band's past and future.






Pearls is so varied, who exactly are your influences?


"Anyone listening to our music will hear that our influences are wide and varied and this is reflected in the eclectic nature of our songs. We love melody and harmony, we love to hear the guitars jangle and we also love a bit of power.  The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Motors, Love, Gen X and Be Bop Deluxe all feature highly in our individual playlists.

Coming from Hull, we are all massive fans of Ziggy era David Bowie given that the Spiders all hailed from our hometown. Our lead guitarist, Dave, in particular, is a massive Mick Ronson fan."


So how did this love of music evolve?


"In early 1977 for some reason, local band, Dead Fingers Talk, were booked to play at my school disco.  Although I had no idea what was going on, I could feel that something was.  Being young and impressionable I quickly decided that I wanted to be in a band.

I used to daydream about playing All My Loving and other early Beatles stuff.  Coming to The Cavern to play at the most famous venue in the world is a dream come true. Music has the ability to move and inspire you, to energise and motivate you. There is nothing like being at a gig and feeling the air move. The rest of the band have similar stories as to why they wanted to play music."






How did the band come to be?


"We formed 3 years ago as a recording project.  Since then we have expanded the line up in order to play live, making our debut last year supporting Duncan Reid and The Big Heads.

In 2016 Fruits de Mer records released a limited edition 5 inch lathe cut single featuring First Sunrise and this sold out within an hour.  We also appeared on their festival compilation CDs for both 2016 and 2017.

Then we self released our own limited edition clear vinyl lathe cut single, Not Tonight Josephine, in 2017 and this received a glowing review in Record Collector magazine.We contributed a cover of The Poster to 7a Records who specialise in Monkees' related releases and this was included on their tribute album, Listen To The Bands.

In 2018 US label, Kool Kat  released Pearls, making it available on CD and download.  However, we have had considerable interest in this being released on vinyl and we are currently taking orders for this. The album received a very favourable review on May's Goldmine Site. Tracks from the album have received airplay in the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa and Australia."






What are your future plans?


"We welcome Duncan Reid And The Big Heads back to Hull on 29 June and we will be supporting them again.  In August we make an appearance at Fruits de Mer Records 16th Dream of Dr Sardonicus Festival which is sponsored by Record Collector Magazine.

Our single on Fruits de Mer Records, Smell Of Incense, will be available exclusively at the festival.  This is a taster for a various artists triple album release on the same label in the Autumn. We are bringing The Darling Buds to Hull on 7 September and are excited to be supporting them on their first date in Hull for over 25 years.

We have also been asked to contribute to an Adrian Borland / The Sound tribute album which is to be released on TBM Records.  Our version of Counting The Days will be included on this. In the meantime we continue to write and record and we are actively looking for more opportunities to play live."




You can listen and buy the album here. The CD can be bought at Kool Kat here. The band play The Cavern Club and The Cavern Pub on Tuesday 22 May.