The Countdown continues. Here are numbers 71 - 80, a little later than usual. Numbers 61 - 70 will be up at an earlier UK time tomorrow.
With it being our 10th year we thought that we could back to the old images that were posted as a bit of fun with the Audio Extravaganzas. A reminder of the old, much quieter, days for us and hopefully a bit of fun for newcomers.
There is a danger for me that being so caught up in the new, that I lose focus on the great legacy acts. The sort of bands that produce wonderful album after album and yet become ignored as you search for something new and shiny.
Fortunately, my love of Psych Pop doesn't allow this to happen as much. The best are still at times, miles apart from the rest and I would certainly include The Grip Weeds in that category. They master the genre and yet easily adapt to other sounds.
Soul Bender is the band's ninth album in a recording career well into its fourth decade. It is their first new material in 7 years and they still have the capacity to surprise. Impeccably produced and performed, the whole album dazzles and the surprises resonate even more.
Kristin Pinell is a fantastic guitarist, but there is something special about her taking on the vocal on the West Coast, almost Country, Rock of Promise (Of The Real) that still manages a killer Pop Rock chorus. Conquer And Divide gets all Classic Rock, a little Jethro Tull (without the flute), early Blue Oyster Cult even. It is a real rock out.
Someone In Love even enters AOR Territory and Pinell even takes on 60s big studio Girl Pop on If You Were Here. Wake Up Time is a wonderful all together now lighters out closer. But as ever with The Grip Weeds, it is the Psych Pop that always grips me most.
Gene Clark (Broken Wing), still a great single, Flowers For Cynthia and the title track are the best examples of this, but in fairness the whole album is a crackerjack. The sound of a band that knows exactly what it is doing and manages to deliver five stars every time. Top Notch!
You can listen to the album here. You can buy the album on Vinyl, CD or as a download here where this also a Deluxe Edition 2 CD version with tons of extras.
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 91 : The Davenports - Don't Be Mad At Me
No 92 : The Genuine Fakes - Issues
No 93 : The Grip Weeds - Trip Around The Sun
No 94 : Michael Roberts - There Is No Blue
No 95 : Burning Ferns - Public MonoIDHAS Interviewhere.
No 96 : Addison Love - Thoughts On Lunch
No 97 : Big School - It's Really Real IDHAS Review here.
