I Don't Hear A Single Best 100 Albums Of 2025 : 61- 70

 

Today we reach Numbers 61-70 in our Best Albums Of 2025. It has been really pleasing to see followers visit the albums thus far. 2025 was a great year for the type of music we cover and it is very competitive for the remaining 60 albums in the countdown.

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. 

61 The Len Price 3 - Misty Medway Magick      IDHAS Review

The Len Price 3 · Emily's Shop

62 Jumbo Chords - Throw Away (Buy Another One)      IDHAS Review

63 Nick Frater - OH CONTRAIRE!      IDHAS Review

64 Lolas - Big Hits And Freak Disasters      IDHAS Review

65 Girl For Samson - Blend All The Seasons      IDHAS Review

66 Cherry Fez - SUPEREXCITED     IDHAS Review

67 He's Dead Jim - Head Like A Toyshop    IDHAS Review

68   Them Elephants - Quattro    IDHAS Review

69 The Elbow Patches - Achingly Familiar     IDHAS Review

70 Drugs In Sport - If Only We Could Use These Powers For Good     IDHAS Review

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

The Elbow Patches - Achingly Familiar

 

I'm a big John Dunbar fan and although The Elbow Patches may appear to be just another pseudonym for his adventures, there is more to the story. The name was originally suggested for the rockier The John Sally Ride.

However, the sad passing of Sal Maida rightly meant that the group couldn't continue. So here are those planned songs recorded by Dunbar. This really is Pop Rock excellence with Dunbar's gentle melodic vocal lighting up the arrangements.

The title track is really strong. riffs all over the place with a slight Psych Pop Guitar feel. When There's Nothing Left is a jaunty shuffle with a great Country Twang. A song that reveals Dunbar's ability to deliver up sad, slightly snarky at times, lyrics and match them to catchy arrangements.

A Dull Celebrity closes the album wonderfully, again with big hints of Psych Pop, matched to a hypnotic drum beat and almost reaches 60s Garage Beat. You Can't Kid Yourself Any More is possibly the best song on show, but the whole album oozes Pop Rock charm.

Much is made of Dunbar's vocal strength and his self depreciating lyrics, but the album underlines what a great guitarist he is. The self depreciation can hide the talent and I still get frustrated at how little he pushes himself forward. This is a great listen and highly recommended.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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

The Garden Of Earthly Delights 2024 Volume 3

 

The John Sally Ride - Melomaniacs

New York's John Dunbar always brings splendid pop sensibilities across his solo and side projects. The John Sally Ride may be the best of the side projects. Lyrically adept, delivered with great wit and the typical tunesmithery that Dunbar brings to his work.

Themed around Music, good and bad, the album contains all the hooks you would expect as well as killer commentary about how us fans do think, not that we would admit it. He has turned self depreciation into an art and that shouldn't hide his great talent.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

The Eggmen Whoooooo! - Fuzzy Eggs, Please

We can guess where the band name comes from and so as you might expect the feel here is wonderfully 60s. Across UK Beat, Psych, Pop and even Garage Rock, the vibe is splendid. Really accomplished for a debut album, the Neath six piece reveal their influences as well as fashioning up a cracking album.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

The Stewart Dolly - II

The New Jersey Trio offer up a great 90s feeling Power Pop album that is quite straight ahead, but also gets splendidly scuzzy at times. All the riffs and hooks are here with an ability to get you up and at 'em, yet not forgetting what makes a great melodic Power Pop affair. They hold their charge when things slow down.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

Dislexia - Snowball

In 1996, Coke Belda, Pepe Murgados and Roque Esteban recorded some demos and played around the Valencia area. 28 years on, the band met at a party and decided to revisit the demos and record full versions. Dislexia is the result.

Here are six excellent songs covering Pop, Pop Rock and even Britpop. but it is the Psych Pop that is particularly bewitching. We know that Belda has a way with a melody, but these songs sound like a proper trio, each member holds up to their end.

You can listen to and buy the album here. The CD is also available on the Kool Kat label here.

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

I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2021 : Top 10

01 The Orange Peels - Celebrate The Moments Of Your Life       IDHAS Review

02 The Easy Button - Lost On Purpose       IDHAS Review

03 Chris Church - Game Dirt       IDHAS Review





04 Andy Bopp - AB      IDHAS Review

05 Ian McNabb - Utopian       IDHAS Review

06 The John Sally Ride - Now Is Not A Great Time      IDHAS Review





07 Livingmore - Take Me        IDHAS Review

08 The Mommyheads - Age of Isolation         IDHAS Review

09 Spygenius - Blow Their Covers        IDHAS Review

10 Ward White - The Tender Age        IDHAS Review





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

The John Sally Ride - Now Is Not A Great Time

 

I've been a friend of Drummer, Sal Nunziato for quite a time. We share the same sense of humour, a mixture of the hilarious and the cynic. I also chat with John Dunbar regularly, mainly about music, we share similar tastes. Sal Maida is someone I admire as a fantastic Bass Player and strangely for someone so melody led, I am always driven to the Bass. His adventures are legendary and he was in Sparks for gods sake. 

So you'd be forgiven for thinking that I'd review and write great things about them. Their second album, Nothing Doing, was in the Top 10 IDHAS albums of 2018, deservedly so and now the third is upon us, inevitably delayed by the obvious.

Dunbar is a fine songwriter with a voice the right side of Power Pop, I've established Maida's credentials and Nunziato is a splendid drummer. There is more though, because there is a fourth member, Joe Pampel, who takes on Lead Guitar duties and this has added a whole new dimension to the sound.

It has brought out the best in both Sal's, inventive bass lines and some great rock drumming. The sound is bigger, wider and the Pop Rock now leans far more towards Rock. That's not saying the Pop isn't still present. The 60's Beat of She Doesn't Do Nostalgia is somewhere between the Small Faces and The Kinks with a solo that is Psych Pop with a slight jangle and some great vocal harmonies. 

That Pop is also present on what was the second single, Putting It Off. which is so so jaunty. You Let Her Break Your Heart Again is a Ballad that musically wants to be Toytown. Is It Over Already cleverly mixes a shuffle with a twang and a Bluesy riff and what about that Bass run?

It is the Rock that grabs you most though. He Doesn't Know That He Snores has Pampel throwing Townshend shapes and I Never Understood (Where I Stood With You) is classic mid 70's Guitar Rock territory on which Pampel excels. 

However my favourite is that first single, Far From Eaten Out, it has been an earworm for nigh on two years and is still a fantastic song. So the Power Trio have become an even more powerful Quartet, brilliantly so. Another point to make is Dunbar's lyrical strength matched up with some unusual song titles. This album transcends the Pop Rock label that the band have. I think "Top Notch" is the phrase that you are looking for. 

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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

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.

THE KOOL KAT 10% OFF SALE is now on and 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.

Bad Moves - Untenable (Don Giovanni Records) 2020       $12

Washington DC has had a rich punk history, documented by the vast array of bands on labels such as Dischord Records and Teen-Beat Records. Although they’re signed to New Jersey’s Don Giovanni Records, Bad Moves are more than capable of kicking as much ass as those that preceded them. They are a wonderfully unpretentious band. They’ve got power, they’ve got pop and they’ve got punk and they use it to great advantage. 

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

The Comebacks - Under the Banner of Love (Rock Indiana Records Spain) 2020      $16

                                                   

Developed over the last few years in their rehearsal room, The Comebacks' debut album is finally a very happy reality. and it is the best Spanish beat and power pop album that has been released in a long time.  Plenty of class, splendid vocal harmonies and, above all, sthe songs make it a must if you like the Beatles, Flamin´ Groovies, Velvet Crush, 20/20, The Plimsouls, Spongetones  etc. You can spot the references throughout!.

Kool Kat Link

You Tube Link To All 12 Songs

John Dunbar - Oh Wellness  (Kool Kat Musik) 2021      $13

NEW RELEASE ON THE KOOL KAT LABEL – AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 12 – ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW!!     The John Sally Ride were in the studio finishing up a new album at the time the international pause button was pressed. They record albums in the same room, so when it became apparent that lock-downing was going to become a long time thing, John Dunbar decided to record the album himself. The result, as expected, is a wonderfully melodic Pop Rock joy.

    

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

The Explorers Club - Rarities Volume 1 (Goldstar Recordings Australia)        $15

Fresh off the heels of not one but TWO critically acclaimed album releases in 2020, retro pop wunderkind Jason Brewer, along with the musical collective he’s dubbed The Explorers Club, are releasing their third collection in less than a year. The result is an 11-song collection of rarities from the band’s vaults. With a brand new full studio album set to follow in 2021, ‘Rarities Volume 1’ is another shimmering slice of retro pop that will thrill and delight their ever-growing fanbase.

                              

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

Trevor Beld Jimenez - I Like It Here (Curation Records) 2021        $15

The fantastic solo debut from a guy who’s been involved in a lot of projects (we only knew of him from GospelbeacH), but you gotta check out his rather impressive discography.  Some of LA’s finest dropped by to lend their talents to the record.  The album is AM radio gold, a fine example of Californian Pop.. We know that Trevor is a hell of a songwriter and musician. He put words and empathy into GospelbeacH’s ‘Another Summer Of Love’ and ‘Let It Burn’and that talent is underlined here.

   

Kool Kat Link 

Bandcamp Link

The Stan Laurels  - There Is No Light Without The Dark (Big Stir Records) 2021       $12

The fourth studio album from John Lathrop under The Stan Laurels name.  It's a watershed follow-up to his acclaimed and award-winning 2018 Kool Kat Musik collection. This is muscular power-pop that slides completely off the end of Teenage Fanclub sweet and into  muscular Pop Rock. It’s a sound that is the final point of Power Pop and one that stays just the right side of Garage Rock.

Kool Kat Link

Bandcamp Link

Shindig! Magazine – Issue #112 February 2021 (US Buyers Only)      $13

 

The tres chic ‘n kool Nancy Sinatra graces the cover: The singer, actress and go-go icon reflects on her career.  Other features include The Ventures: How America’s biggest pre-Beatles act changed with the times, and Steve Ellis: The 10 years that followed Love Affair.  Featurettes on: Dana Gillespie, Dave Cousins, and much more are contained within.  Reviews of the best in reissues, new releases, DVDs and books, and other news titbits we all can use!

Kool Kat Link  

Shindig UK Site

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

I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2018 : 1-10

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 1 : Ex Norwegian - No Sleep     IDHAS Review here.







No 2 : Bird Streets - Bird Streets     IDHAS Review here.







No 3 : Caper Clowns - A Salty Taste To The Lake     IDHAS Review here.






No 4 : Ian McNabb - Our Future In Space    IDHAS Review here.

No 5 : Nick Frater - Goodbye Kayfabe    IDHAS Review here.







No 6 : The Foreign Films - The Record Collector    IDHAS Review here.







No 7 : Wilkerson - Wilkerson    IDHAS Review here.

No 8 : Caddy - Ten Times Four    IDHAS Review here.







No 9 : Mick Terry - Days Go By    IDHAS Review here.







No 10 : The John Sally Ride - Nothing Doing 





.
.

The John Sally Ride - A New Set Of Downs

I posted about The John Sally Ride just before Christmas here and now I'm delighted to tell you that the full album has been released. The great news is that the quality shown by the Double A Side release has extended across the album.

Not Taking Credit from that single showed how Power Pop the trio could be and John Dunbar's vocals lend well to that genre, but the news from the resulting album is that A New Set Of Downs is far more Harmonic Pop than Power. Imagine a cross between The Monkees and Squeeze.





The singalong shuffle of the opener, One Of These Days You'll Have One Of Those Days emphasises that Monkees comparison. She Walks Her Dog In Pyjamas with its Psych Guitar is in Small Faces Territory.

From Expectation To Surrender comes across as a sweet sounding chirpier version of The Proclaimers and it's great to hear Sal Maida's bass lines again on I Love The Girl (You Won't Leave Your Wife For). I Love The Girl is almost Lindisfarne with it's almost folk backdrop.




The trio have fashioned up a real feel good album to accompany the nights getting lighter. Sal Nunziato's drumming seems to hold the whole thing together. This is great Summer Pop. lyrically adept and a pleasant change from all the I Love You Yes I Do stuff that I have been listening to lately.

It's hard to name a favourite track, I loved Not Taking Credit from first listen and still do, but I'll go for Your Closest Friends, a real chipper song that sums up what the band are about. This album is a great listen and now you have your chance to confirm that.




You can listen to and buy the album here.

The John Sally Ride - Not Taking Credit / Didn't Know I Was Saying Goodbye

I was gonna post a large I Do Hear A Single and I may still do. However I thought it may get lost in the Christmas Mayhem, so I't may be best to pull a few out for a post of their own.

I've always liked the Indie Pop of New York's John Dunbar. It's great melodic pop , the sort we thrive upon. There's also big kudos from these parts for Sal Maida's part in Milk 'n' Cookies and yet more for his time in Big Beat era Sparks. He's also played Bass in Roxy Music and more recently was a part of Cracker.




My biggest connection is with drummer, Sal Nunziato. Sal is a great friend, former owner of New York's NYCD Record Store, writer and the man behind the Burning Wood Blog. Burning Wood was probably the main inspiration behind I Don't Hear A Single going public.

The three have combined to form The John Sally Ride and what a trio it is. I knew it'd be good with the trio involved, but I didn't expect it to be this good. An album, A New Set Of Downs is in the works. In the meantime, the first single is available as a Name Your Price on Bandcamp.




So you've nothing to lose by downloading the single now from here. You can listen to more of John's stuff here. Sal's excellent Burning Wood Blog is here.