I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 91-100

 

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 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.

91 Day Dreems - Day Dreems      IDHAS Review

92 The Duke Of Surl - Borneo      IDHAS Review

 

93 The Proctors - Snowdrops & Hot Air Balloons      IDHAS Review

94 The Duskwhales - Strawflower Lane      IDHAS Review

95 The Hard-Ons - I Like You A Lot Getting Older      IDHAS Review

96 The Successful Failures - Enemy Sublime      IDHAS Review

97 Radio75 - Screaming Out      IDHAS Review

98 Love Fiend - Handle With Care      IDHAS Review

99 Neon Bone - Eager To Please      IDHAS Review

100 Young Scum - Lighter Blue     IDHAS Review

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

The Proctors - Snowdrops & Hot Air Balloons

 

It is fair to say that I tend to leave the Dream Pop, Indie Pop and gentler Jangle Pop to my great great friend Darrin at Janglepophub. It isn't that I don't like the genres, I bloody well do, but there's so much to go at here and Mr Lee is a much better commenter on that scene.

However, The Proctors travel beyond that area. Formed in the 90s in the West Midlands, a region not noted for this type of gentleness with it coming generally more from the North upwards. They take a hold of Jangle Pop and spread it further afield.

There will be obvious pointers to C86 from other reviews I'm sure and they are valid at times, but The Procters are much more pastoral. Yes they do gentle, but the arrangements take them much further afield than just plugging in and jangling. 

They are not afraid of a surprising Guitar solo and add greater harmony than many of their ilk. The word to describe the album is effectively beautiful, a mood that takes you away into a land where all is well, no one has a care in the world and no one ever falls out with each other.

But there are also times when the band venture into other areas. An ability to sound like a Lightning Seeds, Aztec Camera or Lilac Time. If they were solely Jangle, which do incredibly well in all areas, they may be as predictable as others, there's not a bit of that.

At their best when they do let loose a bit, but they are never gonna rock your socks off, there is a fragileness on the slower numbers. They do sound a little like Wild Swans at times, but more consistent. This album restores faith in the wonder of the pop song. Wonderful!

You can listen to and buy the album here. You may be lucky enough to still be able to grab a Vinyl or CD version too.

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