IDHAS Ten Songs Mix 3

Because we don't write about singles and individual songs, We wanted to utilise something simple to mention songs that we like. Hence the Ten Songs Mix thing which will appear weekly. Ten new songs in just over 35 minutes this week.

The first two week's have hit high positions in the Mixcloud Global Indie Rock Chart. Mix 3 has ten crackers, all new including the return of Andy Bopp, Chris Church in The Scott Cornette Trio and much much more.

This week's Mixcloud link is below and at the foot of the page is the Mixcloud Player which takes you directly to the music. Here is the playlist of the ten songs this week.

01 Andy Bopp - Camera

02 Keats - Time

03 Dutch Tulips - Tell Me Your Codes

04 Scott Cornette Trio - Something To Say

05 The Berries - A Hymn That Only I Know

06 Rob Fetters - Turn This Ship Around

07 Reno Bo - Count Your Karma

08 Robby Miller - Little Words

09 Tripper And The Wild Things - Boomerang Kids

10 Caper Clowns - Under Your Command

IDHAS Ten Songs Mix 3

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The Berries - Throne of Ivory (Singles and B-Sides)

 

The Berries is actually Matt Berry, no not that one, this one is from Los Angeles. The first two albums were very different affairs and this collection may confuse listeners even more. It is wonderfully varied and a truly splendid listen, but it is increasingly hard to pin down what Matt is best at.

The description is also a bit misleading. Throne Of Ivory is more of a stand alone album in its own right. Essentially a stop gap to his third album, only the first half of these 12 songs were actually singles and all were recorded in the Summer Of 2000. The other six songs are reworked songs that were originally written for his second hand album, Berryland, or for that upcoming third album.

The second half of the album is largely in Screamadelica territory heading towards Brit Pop. When it isn't, the feel is more West Coast 70s on Jewel On The West. The stand out here is the gobsmacking Burning Sun/Eve, an absolute Psych Masterpiece.

On the first side (the album is also available on Cassette), Saturday Music is all Glasgow Jangle whilst Ancient Steel is great gentle Psych Pop. High Noon On The Gold Coast is very Blue Oyster Cult, yet Mantra Of Strength is very 60's hippy trippy far out man.

The two gems are Sci-Fi Racer with its Pop Rock riffs and guitar solo, a bit Glammy, a bit Space Rock, in fact a bit of everything, all of it dripping with melody. Then there is A Hymn That Only I Know which is a bit Jarvis Cocker does Toytown. A crackerjack of a song.

I told you this is a varied album. There are so many ideas, maybe too many, that it makes it hard to describe. This doesn't sound like a collection, it sounds more like an album of the year. It is stunning in its scope and all I can say is listen to it and buy the thing. Highly Recommended!

You can listen to and buy the album here.


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The Poppermost - Hits To Spare

 

As well as being the leader of possibly the best band in recent years, Ex Norwegian, Roger Houdaille has become a record label empresario. Think Like A Key have already released some fine Archive stuff from the likes of Kaleidoscope, Ollie Halsall and Patto, but I Don't Hear A Single concentrates on the new.

With releases planned for Novelty Island and Bordello And Clark, the future is bright, but the first new release is from Joe Kane's The Poppermost. Glasgow's one man band, a key part of the UK Pop Rock scene and Hits To Spare should spread that worldwide.

I created some waves by dissing a recent Merseybeat type album, but this is different. The album is fun. Wit and knowledge is added to the new songs. They are performed with style amd much love rather than trying to reinvent the wheel as though Kane is the new sensation.

There is an attention to detail with even added control room banter. These songs sound as though they were recorded in 1963-4, they aren't trying to do it by numbers. For that reason, Hits To Spare has an affectionate air about it.

Comparisons will be made to The Rutles, but they were performing pastiches of known Beatles songs. These songs are more of a tribute to the era, recorded on vintage equipment. Hits To Spare, Laziest Fella In The Realm and Goodnight Georgia Peach are probably the stand out songs. Egg and Chips is also a really endearing opener.

However any of these 14 songs will get toes tapping. Yes it all sounds very familiar, that is the point. A reflection of an age that so many Power Poppers adore, but with a new set of songs to enjoy. I'd normally avoid this sort of thing like the plague, but this is so beautifully done that I can only applaud.

You can listen to and buy the album on CD, Vinyl or Download here. You can find out more about Think Like A Key here.

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Keats - The Saturday Night Shocker

 

Nashville may have a reputation for Country, but more and more Pop Rock has been breaking out recently. Tony Keats's band are one such beast and this third album may be the album that hits the spots that the previous two should have.

The Saturday Night Shocker edges more towards Rock, at times Classic Rock, but the Pop still glistens. There are plenty of singalong choruses, but the lead guitar here heads into a much wider territory. For instance, Hiding Away ventures well into Little Feat territory.

Ten And Two isn't sure if it is Americana or Bad Company and there is still that Little Feat hint, particularly in the chorus. Daisy Cakes is for all intents and purposes a short Blues Rock instrumental. But these aren't the onlyr thrill present here.

Undone is a cracking slab of Pop Rock, Summer is a slowed down melancholic affair which breaks out to a cracking solo, a rock tour de force. Look At Us starts all Mott The Hoople's version of Sweet Jane, a real boogie of a song that builds and builds into something more AOR.

The stand out here though is the superb, Time, a splendid melodic offering and the title track is a close second with its 80s feel aided by the synth addition. There's also a second version of Hiding Away, acoustic and far more country, maybe even Americana.

The album isn't normally the type we would feature here. But this is such a great listen that you must give it a go. Beautifully and expertly played, an album that breaks out when it needs to without ever going over the top. A splendid listen and well worth your attention.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Sorry I Fell Asleep!

 

Reviews were planned for this evening over a four hour period. Then......................I fell asleep. Heartfelt apologies. Double helping tomorrow including the latest 10 Song Mix. 

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Thank You Everyone!

 

Thank you to all you readers (and listeners) for an amazing July. July was a record month with 38,369 hits on I Don't Hear A Single. Not bad for a site that concentrates on new and under appreciated Pop Rock. A real answer to those who say that there is no audience for new music 

The surprising thing is that we have been less active publicly in July than planned due to be. This is largely due to being busy resurrecting post lockdown plans for I Don't Hear A Single. We wanted far more reviews up, because we are way behind and will remedy that in August. 

There's also a couple of new things planned for August which you'll see here in subsequent weeks, including a Singles Club. IDHAS has consistently grown over the past five years, but these past few months it seems to have gone ballistic. 

We are thrilled, but put that success down to the musicians. The site is only as good as the music that it recommends, so has always everything is down to the musicians. Something that too many forget.

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The Morning Line - Yard Sale EP (Name Your Price)

 

The Morning Line's North album was in IDHAS's Best Albums of 2019, Yard Sale is something a little different to that, being a a six song collection of demos and outtakes. That shouldn't put you off though as this shows different sides of Stephen Smith's lot.

Being at Name Your Price on Bandcamp means everyone can delve into Yard Sale and I'd recommend that you do. The songs range from 2004 - 2020, all mixed or remixed. Even such a short selection reveals the strength of the band.

North was an album that felt very Matthew Sweet and I Can't Say is really the only thing that sounds similar. No surprise then that this was an outtake from the album that appeared on 2019's International Pop Overthrow compilation. 

The original version of Los Angeles appeared on the 2008 album, Smoke, but this is a much better mix, bringing out the REM similarity out more. It is a cracking slice of College Indie Guitar Rock. In Love With Your Blog is from 2007 and supposedly a throwaway comedy song, trust me it is far more than that.

There's an unusual tongue in cheek, slightly venemous feel to the lyric which suits the music and pace beautifully. I think many know that I generally don't see the point of the forced jollity on Christmas songs, but Santa's Song has a bitterness replacing the usual sleigh bell jingling. There is a splendid jangle feel to the song with a fine solo.

Straight Lines is much looser. very Glasgow at the turn of the Indie Guitar 80's. It reminds me a lot of the more recent Vapour Trails than something from 2004. Those who like this should really track back through The Morning Line's back catalogue. This EP though is a fine introduction to a wonderful band.

You can listen to and grab the album here.

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Sexy Sadie - Butterflies (Remastered)

 

Anything Should Happen used to major on great lost albums whilst IDHAS concentrates on the new and under-appreciated, Here's an opportunity to serve both camps with the remaster of Butterflies as a double vinyl LP with 5 Bonus Tracks.

Pop Rock had a major revival in the Nineties in both the UK and USA helped by labels like Not Lame in the States and Brit Pop over here. But often we forget about the European influence and in particular, Spain. Sexy Sadie were signed to the superb Spanish label, Subterfuge and it is Subterfuge that are responsible for this offering.

Butterflies was the fifth album from the Majorcan quartet and is probably their best album. The band aren't afraid to stretch out. Crawling Man edges towards Radiohead and Good Day is all Sitar and somewhere between The Beatles and Kula Shaker. Burn Slow is a mix of Ian Broudie and Per Gessle.

It is the big numbers that will grab most. I Don't Know is a big College Rock affair and Sadies Insane has a killer riff and hints at big Rock until the pop laden chorus. Someone Like You is moodier, a bit Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, with its Alt Rock Chorus. Five unreleased demos add to the enjoyment too.

You can but the double disc at Subterfuge's shop here. You may also want to purchase the band's back catalogue on CD as it is available at bargain prices here.

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