I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2023 : Top 10

 



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.

We reach the Top 10 conclusion. Tomorrow will feature the cut out and keep guide with a list of all 100 albums. EPs will be covered on Tuesday.

1 Mythical Motors - The Sunrise Registry      IDHAS Review

2 Odd Robot - Deathmates        IDHAS Review

3 Buddie - Agitator      IDHAS Review

4 Shplang - Thank You, Valued Customer      IDHAS Review

5 The Dumbanimals - Thrift Pop      IDHAS Review

6 The Telepathic Butterflies - Plan B      IDHAS Review

7 The Mommyheads - Coney Island Kid      IDHAS Review

8 Onesie - Liminal Hiss      IDHAS Review

9 Equipment - Alt. Account     IDHAS Review 

10 Wurld Series - The Giant's Lawn      IDHAS Review

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

The Telepathic Butterflies - Plan B

 

It is great to have The Telepathic Butterflies back. It has been 14 long years since the magnificent Wow & Flutter, an album that has recently had a reissue and is essential listening by the way. The Winnipeg quartet have regularly been lumped in with Power Pop.

This may because they were on the Rainbow Quartz label, but they are more expansive than that and particularly so here. There is still the Power Pop laced with elements of Psych Pop on show, indeed the front part of the album is particularly wonderful Psych Pop, but Plan B goes much much further.

This is Pop Rock and incredibly easy to listen to Pop Rock. At times, it sounds like a Brit Pop album, not the overblown nonsense that always seemed to appear in the headlights, but the miles better stuff that neared the fringes and emphasised the Guitar Pop rather than the retro.

The album will suit followers well, it is band in I Don't Hear A Single territory, dominating the middle ground. Rejean Ricard's vocals are a joy to listen to, he has a voice that you will take to instantly, melodic and perfectly suiting the wall to wall riffs.

The arrangements will absolutely hook you. There is a sweet spot that The Telepathic Butterflies occupy, a sweet spot if you like, somewhere between say Squeeze and Cotton Mather and I can't think of a more perfect seat to sit on.

Songs are never overdone, the band never try to be flash or go for grab all plank spanking. If anything the songs are understated, concentrating on the melody and top notch arrangements and the sheer listenability of what they offer up.

It is getting late in the day for 2023 albums, reviews for inclusion in our Best 100 Albums Of The Year end after tomorrow. Plan B is a cracking album, pushing all the buttons that we love. It may be being reviewed at the death, but it is a sure fire thing for inclusion in the Best 100.

You can listen to and buy the album here. If you haven't got Wow & Fluttewr in your collection, there is also the opportunity to grab that at the same time.

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