I Don't Hear A Single Best 100 Albums Of 2025 : 61- 70

 

Today we reach Numbers 61-70 in our Best Albums Of 2025. It has been really pleasing to see followers visit the albums thus far. 2025 was a great year for the type of music we cover and it is very competitive for the remaining 60 albums in the countdown.

With it being our 10th year we thought that we could back to the old images that were posted as a bit of fun with the Audio Extravaganzas. A reminder of the old, much quieter, days for us and hopefully a bit of fun for newcomers. 

61 The Len Price 3 - Misty Medway Magick      IDHAS Review

The Len Price 3 · Emily's Shop

62 Jumbo Chords - Throw Away (Buy Another One)      IDHAS Review

63 Nick Frater - OH CONTRAIRE!      IDHAS Review

64 Lolas - Big Hits And Freak Disasters      IDHAS Review

65 Girl For Samson - Blend All The Seasons      IDHAS Review

66 Cherry Fez - SUPEREXCITED     IDHAS Review

67 He's Dead Jim - Head Like A Toyshop    IDHAS Review

68   Them Elephants - Quattro    IDHAS Review

69 The Elbow Patches - Achingly Familiar     IDHAS Review

70 Drugs In Sport - If Only We Could Use These Powers For Good     IDHAS Review

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Them Elephants - Quattro

 

I'm a big fan of Alex Charlow's Them Elephants project. We've covered the previous two albums, Come Calling actually featured in the Best 100 Albums Of 2024 and now we have a new one and it is a splendid listen.

Come Calling offered great genre variety and was our introduction to Charlie's talent. Sugar concentrated more on Indie Rock and Guitar Pop, now Quatrto goes full on West Coast Power Pop. It wasn't debatable that the man could play and write great Pop songs, but this highlights the strength of vocals,

This is full on Power Pop, built on killer riffs, big choruses and big harmony vocals. These vocals underline what a great Pop Rock affair this is. The riffs hook you and then you get an unexpected killer heavier solo. It works perfectly.

Calculated may be the song of the year, Power Pop goodness with a Beach Boys style harmony take. Give Or Take is very early Weezer with a side order of 80s New Wave synth. Satellite is part Club Anthem, part Electro Pop, very different to what else is on display.

The majority here though is Power Pop joy. Right Way is the 80s US Version, Have Some Fun is slightly Slacker, slightly Surf and Where We Go is all vocal harmony. Get Out My Way is anthemic Pop. Four albums in now and not a duff song on any.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Them Elephants - Sugar

 

Having covered Them Elephant's second album, Come Calling, here, it is great to listen to the follow up from San Francisco's Alex Charlow. It is, again, not quite what you might expect from the West Coast relying on great melodic Indie Rock with killer riffs.

The title track maybe best explains what Them Elephants are most about, all riff and handclaps, slightly Power Pop, yet very Indie Rock with a killer big chorus. A bit retro, yet also sounding modern. Charlow can play with some stunning solos, but these are never to the bereft of the song.

The Way You Move appeared on a recent Listening To This Week Playlist and that fuzzed up riff matched up with another killer chorus still sounds great. Make It Last is celebratory 90s style all together now where the chorus and the riff just get you on your feet.

There isn't a lot of variation, but when you know what you are good at and have the formula to offer up great 3 minute listens, why step off the path. Too much of Indie Rock is either moody or sounds like everybody else. Sugar doesn't and that is to its absolute credit.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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I Don't Hear A Single Albums Of The Year 2024 : 81-90

 

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.

81 Shenanygans - On Monte Verita      IDHAS Review

82 Mothboxer - Timelines      IDHAS Review

83 Lions Of The Interstate - Strange Empires      IDHAS Review

84 The Toms - Rock Paper Scissors      IDHAS Review

85 Bottlecap Mountain - Electric Love Spree     IDHAS Review

86 Them Elephants - Come Calling       IDHAS Review

87 Mountain Movers - Walking After Dark      IDHAS Review

88 Swiftumz - Simply The Best      IDHAS Review

89 Wesley Fuller - All Fuller No Filler      IDHAS Review

  

90 StoneDog - About Time     IDHAS Review

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Them Elephants - Come Calling

 

Them Elephants is San Francisco's Alex Charlow and Come Calling follows on from the self titled debut from last year. It is hard to call what the base is, not quite Power Pop, not quite Indie Rock, but the songs are very melodic with memorable choruses and very Guitar Riff led.

Very American, very cool, these 10 offerings do cover a wider spectrum than you might expect. Goddamn adds a surprise 80s Keyboard Run and Wake Me Up is very Garage Rock, but adds a great Power Pop chorus and an ace solo.

Loving Is Hard is 90s College Rock, Turn Up That Charm is all 80s Indie Groove and Catching Waves is 60s Surf with Toni Basil's Mickey Handclaps. You mixes Slacker Rock with something you might find on a Sparks album from the first half of the 80s.

Don't Do What You're Told opens the album in jaunty let's do the show right here manner, but even that can't better the wonderful I Don't Want To Be There. I doubt that you will hear anything catchier this year and it underlines just how all encompassing Guitar Pop can be. A Top Notch album.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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