I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 51-60

 

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.

We now reach the halfway point.

51 Gustavo Warnunk - Semi​-​Detached Tales Vol. I      IDHAS Review

52 8X8 - Life During Wartime      IDHAS Review

53 The Reflectors - Going Out Of Fashion     IDHAS Review

54 Lava Fangs - Sub Auroram      IDHAS Review

55 Dave Cope And The Sass - Hidden From The World     IDHAS Review

56 Hoaster - Everything Is Great        IDHAS Review

57 Brent Seavers - Exhibit B      Exhibit B by Brent Seavers

58 The Martial Arts - In There Like Swimwear      IDHAS Review

59 Pantomime Horses - Forever Polyester      IDHAS Review

  

60 The Drywall Heels - Today's Top Hits Playlist     IDHAS Review

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The Martial Arts - In There Like Swimwear

 

Paul Kelly, a stalwart of the Glasgow scene has been threatening to follow up The Martial Arts 2006 debut  album and 18 years on, number 2 is finally with us. The in demand sideman offers up a cracking Pop Rock ride that is both charming and chorus led.

Although feeling and sounding very 70s, there are hints of both the 60s and UK New Wave. But the album is most in common with the West Coast Pop of the likes of The Explorers Club, a little less vocal harmony led, but much more Sunshine Pop.

Almost Bubblegum joy seeps out aided by big arrangements and Kelly's gentle understated vocal. The latter being the key requisite as Kelly could make you enjoy him singing the Phone Book. A song like Exploding Crushing Inevitable could be imagined appearing midway through an American Cartoon Series.

Friends Of Fools has hints of 70s Glam Rock, certainly the singalong Pop that accompanied that period. But there are diversions, Hold On Full Of Hope is New Wave Pop of the highest order. Not Coming Down has a killer chorus and a slight Pete Wylie feel.

Working On My Eyes is the big ballad and adds a great Sax break, but the real stand out is the closer, aptly called Closing Number which is melancholic, almost heartbreaking, but breaks out into Jangling Joy with a Psych Pop instrumental ending. It is a magnificent six minutes.

Kelly has that knack of the best jaunty songwriters with songs of sadness and lost relationships surrounded by instrumental happiness. There's a real chipper vibe to In There Like Swimwear that is infectious. You don't have to bang songs out to make them appeal. Great stuff!

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

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Extended Play

Hi-Ranger - Tire Town EP

Vancouver's Hi-Ranger offer up a fine EP that feels very C86. The Trio sound anything but Canadian across these four songs. Out Of Dreams has hints of Teenage Fanclub and the general vibe is the second half of the Glasgow Eighties

Having said that the wonderful I'll Never Know could easily be The Stone Roses and Sunny Sunday Afternoon is very Ride. Sam Tam Manitoba Jangles shoegazingly. Four very different songs, all equally excellent, I expect to hear far more from these fellers.







You can listen to and buy the EP here.

The Martial Arts - I Used To Be The Martial Arts EP

Glasgow's Paul Kelly is often associated with Pop Nuggets and the long awaited EP from The Martial Arts delivers just that. His aching vocals are cocooned in mini Walls Of Sound. I Used To Be is Spector-ish and How Will I Progress has a real New Wave DIY Feel.

You've Ruined Everything is like Wah doing Glam Rock, but the real stand out is New Performance which reminds me a little of The Bay City Rollers in the chorus, in a good way. This is wonderful Twee Pop.

You can buy the EP here.

Dear Boy - The Strawberry EP

Dear Boy's latest EP is again brimming with Sunshine Pop, Whilst you might expect this from a Los Angeles band, the sound here is very much UK. There's something wonderfully 80's Jaunty about these five songs.

Although sounding no one band in particularly, you are reminded of Haircut 100, The Bluebells and Deacon Blue. The melancholic lyrics are hidden in the chipper arrangements. In Limelight, they have one of the year's great songs, it has everything in place for the upcoming Summer Days.






You can listen to and buy the EP here.

The Glimmer Stars - Hello Love EP

The Glimmer Stars' EP is shorter and noisier than what's preceded it here, but is every bit as relevant, There's a real swagger in what the Californian Trio do, a mix of 80's Sleeze Rock and 70's Glam, let's settle on Garage Glam.

Feel It is a killer of a song, wonderfully loud, it makes you clench your fists. I Want You is "in your face" Garage Rock. Contrast this with the all too brief closer, Here Comes Tomorrow Today, which is a New Seekers Acoustic strum, proving that these three are not a one trick pony.

You can buy the EP at the likes of CD Baby and Amazon.


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