I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 31-40

 

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.

31 Lunchbox - Pop And Circumstance     IDHAS Review

32 The Society Of Rockets - Tough Trip Through Paradise      IDHAS Review

33 The Smashing Times - Mrs Ladyships and the Cleanerhouse Boys     IDHAS Review

34 Sharp Class - Welcome To The Matinee Show (Of The End Of The World)     IDHAS Review

35 Alex Pester - Boy     IDHAS Review

36 Supermilk - High Precision Ghosts        IDHAS Review

37 Velvet Attack - Visions From Inner Space      IDHAS Review

38 Pulse Park - First Second      IDHAS Review

39 Rural France - Exactamondo!      IDHAS Review

  

40 The Special Pillow - Meets The Space Monster     IDHAS Review

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The Society Of Rockets - Tough Trip Through Paradise

 

I suppose that you could call San Francisco's The Society Of Rock veterans now, but they show no sign of reducing the quality of their output. We love 'em here. Their albums have great variety. Just as you think they are one thing, they become something else song to song.

Picking two songs next to each other sort of shows what I mean. The Other Side is all Psych Pop and the UK Beat of the late 60s that was partially revived during UK New Wave. Smoke And Mirrors is a cross between American West Coast Rock and UK 70s Pop Rock with some incredible Organ runs.

This continues throughout. For a band who can be so Guitar heavy, it is brave to open the album with the mellow, gentleness of Amen, but it works. Lo and Behold that is followed by the magnificent Doors Are Open with its Jangle and killer vocal and chorus.

Make It Right is moody weeping Classic Rock, part The Eagles, part Dropkick. Yet Getting Along is Gospel like whilst getting more than a little George Harrison. Golden State has a splendid jaunty instrumental that matches biting lyrics and has a corking lazy vocal. It also adds some killer Tijuana Brass.

After the pacer listen that was Unearthed, Tough Trip On Paradise reveals the band's mellower side a bit more. The arrangements are superb and reveal them to be at ease with any direction. They master all that they do easily.

When the pace picks up, it is a reminder of how adaptable The Society Of Rockets are, With such variety, it can be hard to hold listener's attention. There's not a bit of that here, you excitedly wait for what's next which is all that any album can do and Tough Trip Through Paradise underlines the benefit of albums. Save those playlists for mix tapes and lose yourself in quality.

You can listen to and buy the album here. It is also available on Vinyl and CD.

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The Society Of Rockets - Unearthed

San Francisco's The Society Of Rockets have always felt like a well kept secret. Seven albums in and the band have evolved. Initially known for some fine Psych Rock, their last album, Family Ways, marked a move into a more laid back sound.

Family Ways was a much more laid back affair, excellent in its way, but a bit hard to quantify with what had gone before. The playing was as great as ever, as were the hooks, but the Country Rock was definitely a new path.







Unearthed follows on from that album, but takes the material on a pace. There's also reminders to the past. Failure Industry is a crackerjack of a song, venomous yet incredibly melodic with a killer riff and unexpected noises, it is a joyous affair.

Don't be afraid of the Country Rock reference either. There are no Cowboy Hats here, indeed I'm more reminded of a band like Del Amitri. Calico is the nearest to straight ahead and Open Season is moody Americana, but both work beautifully. This is largely due to the quality of the songwriting and playing.








The World Is Wrong is in CSNY territory, but again more modern, think Brent Rademaker. Bummertown is another example of the band stretching out, with it's killer guitar ramping up the noise quota.

Error Era ends the album wonderfully with a gentle moody affair that borders more on the Indie earnestness of younger pretenders and it threatens to explore at the end. Unearthed is a fine album. Forget what has gone before, treat the album on its own merit, because this is a fine listen.







You can listen to and buy the album here.


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