I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2022 : 81-90

This year, the standard has been the highest since IDHAS began six and a half years ago. Narrowing things down to this 100 as been really difficult. 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. 

A reminder that anything reviewed on I Don't Hear A Single is highly recommended. 

No 81 : The Minders - Psychedelic Blacktop       IDHAS Review

No 82 : Nick Piunti And The Complicated Men - Heart Inside Your Head      IDHAS Review

   

No 83 : Pulse Park - Phonac Music      IDHAS Review





No 84 : Secret Molecules - Secret Molecules      IDHAS Review

No 85 : Kevin Stevenson - Reality Alley      IDHAS Review

No 86 : Walker Brigade - If Only      IDHAS Review





No 87 : The Well Wishers - Blue Sky Sun      IDHAS Review     





No 88 :  The Dead Century - The Well       IDHAS Review

No 89 : Northern Portrait - The Swiss Army      IDHAS Review

 

Matinée Recordings · Northern Portrait - At Attention

No 90 : Gaz Hunter - Lysergic Soundscapes Of Dreamadelica      IDHAS Review

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The Minders - Psychedelic Blacktop

 

It has been six years since Into The River and in what is resembling a dismal worldwide 2022. I can think of no band better to build the spirits than the Portland Oregon quintet. If ever an outfit explained what I Don't Hear A Single is about, it is The Minders.

Essentially Pop Rock, they combine elements of Folk, Psychedelia, Power Pop, Americana, Baroque Pop, Indie Rock and much more. So many directions can be confusing, but everything they do is grounded and based on a melody that never loses sight of the song itself.

Magic Anorak is a great example of what they do. A song that is so damn catchy and jaunty, built around a great Brass, almost Dexys like arrangement. It is a thing of great beauty with unexpected instruments breaking in and out. 

Compare that to the 60s Folk of You Call To Me and the classic Pop Rock of Let's Go Driving and you realise the sheer scope of what the band have in their armoury. Listen! The Bugle Calls mixes 80's synth with 60's Psych Pop to reveal an absolute gem of a listen. 

Detective Of Crime goes all Indie whilst still giving 70s glances, whilst Blacktop is an instrumental cross between Psych and Peter Green-esque Rock. These Days stands equal to anything from the Pop Rock revival of the second half of the 90s.

Then there is the opener, Home, which sets the tone with its pure quality. In truth, Psychedelic Blacktop sounds more reserved than previous adventures. There is a laidback quality that just charms you. How I've missed The Minders. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can find out more about the band here.

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