For the last few 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.
Narrowing things down to this 100 has been really difficult. The countdown is 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
My family was very musical, so as a very young boy, I was influenced by what they were playing and that was a mixture of Country, Rock and Roll, Buddy Holly and of course, The Beatles. I'd be about 8 when I started properly listening to songs under my own steam and what a time it was.
It was of course Singles led for three years and led by Bolan and Bowie and then Glam Rock arrived and what a time it was. It wasn't just about the choruses and the outfits, music was fun and opened your eyes to such amazing sounds from bands that you put on a pedestal.
If only people remembered now that the essential benefit of music should be enjoyment and a song to be listened to more than once. Radio was big and influential as were shows like Top Of The Pops and Lift Off With Ayshea. So why am I on such a nostalgia trip? Well, The Midnight Callers remind me so much of that time. The majority of this album could be from that period.
This album is way better than the releases of that time. This is wall to wall quality, whereas UK Glam Rock albums, with the odd exception, were largely the singles with the odd great song, but mostly a load of "will this do" tosh. We weren't bothered, we were buying the singles.
Another surprise is that the band are from New York as well as them not wearing Platform Boots and Glitter. The opener, New York Tramp reveals what you are in store for and it is melodic, chorus led and riff driven, beautifully sung and performed.
Step! and Closer reinforce the Chinn and Chapman similarity. Yet we are not just about Glam, Girl On The Run is all 60s Jangle Pop, again wonderfully done. What Goes Around is splendid UK Beat and Without Ya is great weeping 70s Pop Rock that adds a big Glam Riff part way through.
Maggie is fine Acoustic West Coast gentleness, a little early Eagles maybe. The Plan is great end of the 70s New Wave with a chorus that jangles, yet it also feels a bit post Merseybeat. What Goes Around even gets close to The Who, more pop perhaps, but the rhythm section get very close to Entwistle and Moon.
Colors is a great closer, very early Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers with added harmonies. That is the beauty of some of these songs. They start as one thing and morph seamlessly into another. Colors even gets a little Psych Pop at times.
There is plenty here to show that The Midnight Callers are no one trick pony and even if they were the Glam Rock is so excellently done that I could listen to hours of it. After The Anderson Council. this release shows what a fine year Marty Scott's Jem Records are having. Rattled Humming Heart is Highly Recommended. I'm odd to listen to it again.
You can listen to the album here. You can buy the album everywhere. You can find out more about Jem Records here.
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.
