I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 61-70

 

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.

61 Dan Miraldi - Ulysses      IDHAS Review

62 Ian St. George - Emergency Index      IDHAS Review

63 The Phase Problem - The Power Of Positive Thinking      IDHAS Review

64 ahem - Avoider      IDHAS Review

65 The Shop Window - Daysdream     IDHAS Review

66 The Violet Twilight - Above The Clouds       IDHAS Review

67 Mark & The Clouds - Machines Can't Hear You      IDHAS Review

68 Raised On TV - Make Time To Make Time      IDHAS Review

69 The Real Numbers - Thank You      IDHAS Review

  

70 Spiral Heads - 'Til I'm Dead     IDHAS Review

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The Violet Twilight - Cicada

 

I covered The Violet Twilight's superb Above The Clouds album here. Just six months later we graced with a follow up EP. New South Wales's Tim Butcher has fashioned up another splendid soundscape that is simply enchanting.

The vocal as ever is gentle and fits in beautifully with the arrangements. That vocal is reminiscent of the likes of Orgone Box, but rather than Rick Corcoran's addictive choruses, these songs are built more around the instrumental performances. 

The Pastoral Psych is still present, but this EP treads more into Modern Prog. Never straying from the melody, these five tunes rely much more on the vibe and the whole piece. Cicada is more about the complete piece and the arrangements wash over you in a very soothing way. 

There are none of the usual crashing chords and riffs that you might expect from IDHAS, but the EP is so well produced, themed and performed that you cannot help but be impressed. At times, there is a chilled out feel that allows you to sit back and enjoy the depth of the music.

You can listen to and buy the EP here.

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The Violet Twilight - Above The Clouds

 

There is a fair amount of Psych coming out of Australia, we probably know why as so many seem to want to reference the band that release an album almost weekly. It has gotten to the point that when I see them as a reference, I move on to the next page. Few sound like them and if I'm honest, I find King Gizzard a little dull and mediocre.

So you have to tread carefully when you see the words Psychedelic Rock. Thankfully, The Violet Twilight are a notable exception. Tim Butcher is from Jiggi in New South Wells and he is The Violet Twilight and he has fashioned up a splendid mix of gentle, almost Pastoral Psych.

The comparison instrumentally is a little Kula Shaker, even Orgone Box with much fewer words. The soundscape is amazing and dominates proceedings and it is even more effective when it heads into eastern influences. But when you get more words, it heightens itself to even greater levels.

The magnificent Run Rabbit, Run is simply wonderful Psych Pop, a song that should be added to all Playlists. There is no fear in picking up the pace and Daisies does so wonderfully, providing something that nears Pop Rock adds a top notch Psych Jangle.

Our Secrets's verse is hypnotic and the chorus communal, but instrumentally it rises to even greater levels with a jaw dropping arrangement. The fact that The Violet Twilight are a one man band is even more impressive and the closer, The Children Of The Sun has to be heard to be believed. It is epic.

At times I am reminded of early Tame Impala, before Kevin Parker wanted to be The Chemical Brothers. I listen to a lot of Psych and Psych Pop that doesn't make it here because of the genre mix that we want. Above The Clouds is an album that can match the best of the genres. Terrific!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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