Albums of the Year 2020

 Greetings Music Lovers,

Here is my 6th annual end of year review of my top ten albums.  I’ld like to start by quoting some lyrics from the I’m Good single by Hilltop Hoods.

“I’ve seen better days man, we all have, 2020’s nothing but an unshaped ball bag, it’s not all bad...” The soundtrack was phenomenal. 

#1. Finer Times In Other Worlds - Crimson Bloom

Teesider Andrew Johnson has been releasing music for nearly 20 years as a solo artist and under a few different names.  He sings with a successful cover band The Southmartins (Housemartins, Beautiful South, Paul Heaton).

In 2018 when it looked certain that The Stone Roses wouldn’t release another album he decided to write it himself.  He formed a band called Crimson Bloom and released an outstanding eponymous debut album influenced by the Roses and his love of the jangle pop of the late eighties.  This debut has been my most played album of 2020 but being two years old is ineligible. Maybe I should edit my previous posts and pretend I was on the ball back then? No - can’t be arsed. In August 2020 the Crimson Bloom follow up was released which was completed during isolation and lockdown conditions.  I have it on vinyl and there isn’t a bad note on it.  Sometimes pure indie rock pop with mystical pretensions, political undertones and baggy swagger.  Crimson Bloom have released six singles in 2020 (three from the album) a newer song Anticipation where they introduce funky acid to the mix and two covers Connected (Stereo MC’s) and Driving Home For Christmas (Chris Rea).  I’ve become a high fan and it has reinvigorated my love for new music. They have also refreshed my wardrobe with four band t-shirts.

Key songs: Cut Me Down, The Game of Love, Chasing Gold & The Brightest Star.

#2. The Tides of Time - The Mariners

Having turned my attention to the UK unsigned scene I discovered so many that 2020 will be remembered by me as a great renaissance of indie rock.  One album that stands out is from a Nottingham Band called The Mariners.  It’s a perfect collection of original songs with the sound of the mid-60s and other influences thrown in. Imagine The Monkees, The Kinks and The Animals covered by Supergrass or better still listen for yourselves.  The Mariners have wonderful artwork and release digital singles with b-sides.  They are already working on their second album due in early 2021.  #GetOnTheBoat

Key songs: Sycamore Street, Stuck Inside My Mind Not Fit For Use & Bring Her Back To Me.

#3. The Trip - Flip Fantazia 

A chilled electronic album with moody tracks designed for the mind rather than the feet.  Some samples steer the thoughts to topics the band want to promote.  Opener Hombre urges the listener to fight prejudice. Wombarra provides chilled drum n bass and a bit of didgeridoo.  S900 is my personal favourite - an ode to samplers including a description of the technique. Fracture could be lifted straight off Air’s Moon Safari.  The final two tracks take it up a few notches in case anyone dozes off.  Drums, rumbling bass and electronic squiggles propel Silver Spoon.  The album finale has beats, “wa wa wa wa wa wahs”, vocals, sinister overtures and the pressure builds until it suddenly stops.  If you’re seeking a break from the norm then let Flip Fantazia’s The Trip take you on a journey.  The band have made a trippy visualisation video to accompany the album which can be watched on YouTube.  https://youtu.be/BJuPvX5insA 

Key tracks: S900, Fracture, Hombre & Free By Design 

#4. Where Does It Go - Denise Johnson 

A Manchester songbird legend tragically taken just months before the release of her debut album. For thirty years Denise appeared on indie records providing vocals for other acts (Primal Scream 90-94 era, A Certain Ratio, The Charlatans, Electronic, Bernard Butler, Johnny Marr, Ian Brown etc.) She was loved by fans who crowd funded her funeral costs after her untimely death.  This album demonstrates her powerful voice on a collection of covers from Manchester bands (10cc, New Order, The Smiths) and some originals.  R.I.P. Denise

Key songs: Steal Around Me Easy, I’m Not On Love, Well I Wonder & True Faith.

#5. The Universal Want - Doves

Another Manchester band back with their first album in eleven years as the long awaited follow up to 2009’s Kingdom of Rust. The  The Universal Want is a stronger collection in my opinion.  It has anthems, powerful vocals, top imagery and intricate drum patterns. Doves have come back at the top of their game. 

Key songs: Carousels, Cathedrals Of The Mind, Prisoners & Broken Eyes.

#6. The Slow Rush - Tame Impala

The 4th album by Aussie producer Kevin Parker (Local Legend).  It comes five years after predecessor Currents.  The common theme of The Slow Rush is time with songs titled after yesterday, tomorrow, time, years and hours. Opener One More Year poses the question where will we be a year from now?  The possibilities and the trap of routine.  Released on Valentines Day 2020 before a year that no-one expected.  A year from now I’ll be watching a rescheduled Tame Impala homecoming gig in Perth. 

Key songs: One More Year, Posthumous Forgiveness, Lost In Yesterday & Borderline.

#7. Working Men’s Club - Working Men’s Club

Another band from Manchester that have successfully melded indie rock and dance music with the emphasis clearly on dance here.  It’s like a dance album if it was made by  Joy Division in 1979 fronted by the ghost of Mark E Smith - at a rave.  Album closer Angel is an epic and comes in at over 12 minutes long like Flowered Up playing thrash metal. Very dark disco from Northern England.  

Key tracks: Valleys, White Rooms and People, John Cooper Clarke & A.A.A.A. 

#8. The Glow - DMAs

Third studio album from Melbourne’s Madchester fanboys.  The DMAs are very popular in Australia and this album has had cut through on the international stage.  They have incorporated more beats, synths and electronic noodling to their Shoegazy Oasis sound.  Key songs: The Glow, Life Is A Game Of Changing & Silver.

#9. The Erratic Explosion of Colour and Compassion - Alligator Moon

A psychedelic poppy rock band from Yorkshire.  Heavy on distortion, thundering drums, guitar licks and dance beats. Only 80 monthly listeners on Spotify so get onto them and play their wonderful debut album.

Key tracks: Podrick Payne’s Love Train, Numb, Feel The Past and Marmalade Dreams.

#10. Twin Heavy - Willie J Healey 

A singer songwriter from Oxfordshire with his second album. The nostalgic sounds of a 1970s ex-Beatle solo album recorded live to tape.  Willie is a great talent who has penned a top collection of interesting and catchy songs.  The orchestration on Twin Heavy rewards repeat listening.  There is just too much to take in with a single play. 

Key songs: Songs for Joanna, True Stereo, Fashun & Why You Gotta Do It?

Merry Christmas, Keep Safe and Happy New Year

Old Indie Kid's Mixtape Oct 2020

The Prologue ... 

There are plenty of indie rock n roll recommendations in my monthly round up that I have discovered over on the Bandcamp site.  I have included links below so you can support the emerging bands during these troubled times.  Last week I was gutted when another talented young musician Joe Astley put his music career on hold given he couldn't secure gigs under the lockdown restrictions.  Joe says he plans to come back with a vengeance when the pandemic is over but it is another reminder that bands need music fans support more than ever before.  If you've got some spare cash then you can help them with some physical sales.  Crank up this Spotify playlist and then read on...    

Old Indie Kid's Mixtape Oct 2020 Spotify Playlist 

1) Fracture by Flip Fantazia

Douglas & Tim from Flip Fantazia presumably lifted their name from the lyrics of the Canterloop single by 90's acid jazz hip hop group Us3.  In May 2020 Flip Fantazia released their top notch electronic psychedelic debut album which is a real pleasure to listen to in full and each track wanders in a different direction without disintegrating.  Go and buy yourself a digital or limited edition vinyl copy from their Bandcamp page. flipfantazia.bandcamp.com  The downbeat disco track I've selected to open this month's playlist would fit neatly on Air's Moon Safari.  

2) Low Sun (Space_Kid Remix) by Moonlight Parade

Moonlight Parade's mate - the mysterious Space_Kid strikes again with his fourth remix of the band.  The first three were brilliant so my hopes were high for this remix and it doesn't disappoint.  Some of Space_Kid's previous remixes can be found here... moonlightparade1.bandcamp.com

3) Classic Weekender by Sterling

Debut single from Manchester's Sterling celebrating the joys of getting wasted all weekend.  Personally I'm at the getting up early to drive to kid's sport stage of my life so classic weekenders are few and far between for me but I have fond hazy recollections. Still classic weekenders are still popular and available (subject to local lockdown restrictions).

4) Valleys by Working Men's Club 

I only discovered Working Men's Club last week on Bandcamp but I am fascinated with their sound.  They have released a handful of singles over the last two years and their debut album is out on 1st October.  Imagine Joy Division fronted by Mark E. Smith mixing post-punk with dance music. If you imagined New Order I don't blame you but listen to their songs as my words don't do them justice.   workingmensclub.bandcamp.com

5) Glyn by Polyhymns

Polyhyms describe themselves as a mix of folk pop and electronica.  This organ based instrumental track reminds me of the type of cut we used to get from The Charlatans during the Rob Collins era. polyhymns.bandcamp.com

6) The Game of Love by Crimson Bloom

Crimson Bloom have just released the shimmering Chasing Gold song as a new single, but as I'm so cutting edge I included it on last month's blog.  Instead I want to draw your attention to The Game of Love from their second album Finer Times In Other Worlds.  It features menacing hushed vocals delivered over a chilled funky baggy jam.   Do yourself a favour and pick up both Crimson Bloom albums from Bandcamp.  crimsonbloom.bandcamp.com  

 7) One of These Days by Thrillhouse 

Brighton's Thrillhouse like to protect their identity by blurring their faces on promotional photos.  Then they admitted it allows them to pretend to be younger and more handsome.  A strategy I may adopt myself.  Thrillhouse are a fantastic band with five singles under their belt.  One of These Days was their debut. 

8) Get Ready by The Skints

I've loved The Skints for several years now and after hearing Get Ready, the latest single from this  London reggae band, I discovered it was a cover.  The original was released in 96 by the Californian band Sublime.  I wasn't aware of Sublime's existence until now but they made some interesting music mixing reggae, ska, hip hop, punk and surf rock.  Sublime and The Skints are both worth further investigation if you enjoy your reggae.  the-skints.bandcamp.com

9) Evacuate by The Shop Window  

Based in Maidstone, the Shop Window sing a song about setting down roots after many years living in different cities.  Their advice is to "Evacuate this anxious state and keep calm".  My advice is listen to their four singles on  theshopwindow.bandcamp.com  

     

10) Loving Only Gets You Down by Little Strange

Little Strange are yet another Manchester band and this track has a pleasing glam rock stomp to it.  I have been playing this regularly for about three months and it still sounds fresh to my ears.  

11) Weight of the World by GreenCircles

GreenCircles are another of my favourite acts discovered this year.  Weight of the World is taken from the Start Again EP.  Start Again and all previous singles (including some exclusives) can be found here   greencircles1.bandcamp.com  This haunting arrangement of a tender song is reminiscent of an early Smiths records.

12) Get Rid by Liam Hillyer

Speaking of The Smiths, Widnes songwriter Liam Hillyer does an excellent cover version of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want which he says is his favourite song of all time.  Liam has just released the more rocky Get Rid as the follow up to Marquee. 

13) Bring Me Love by The Heavy North

Soulful blues rockers The Heavy North are, as the name implies, both Heavy and Northern.  What more do you need to know?  Play it, dig it and buy it here...  theheavynorth.bandcamp.com

   

14) Shivers by Thom Southern

Irish rocker Thom Southern's debut single is a catchy anthem and drenched in layered guitars.  I heard a snippet of an acoustic version of Shivers and  hope he releases the full acoustic version sometime.  Apparently Thom is the brother of Lucy Gaffney who has featured several times on my monthly playlists this year.  I'm looking forward to hearing more from this talented family.  

15) Everything Is An Attempt To Be Human by Afflecks Palace

The fourth, final and title track from their second EP.  They formed as a Stone Roses tribute band, but have emerged as a quality band penning their own original tunes.  Afflecks Palace have released 8 songs so far and all are brilliant.            

16) Love Comes In Waves by Andy Bell  

Hypnotic chiming guitars and a wonderful song taken from the forthcoming debut solo album from the Ride founder who has been very productive during his lockdown.  Former Oasis bandmate Gem Archer plays on several tracks on Andy's new album. andybell.bandcamp.com   

17) Through The Valley by Tash Sultana

Australian artist Tash Sultana with a wonderfully chilling cover.  Tash has been a big deal in Australia for the last four years and she is currently working on her second album.  If you like this check out her early singles. tashsultanaaus.bandcamp.com

18) Cathedrals of the Mind by Doves

It's so good to have new music from Doves after a gap of eleven years.  This is one of the standout tracks from the new album The Universal Want.  When I saw Doves had a song called Cathedrals of the Mind I thought "That's gonna be absolutely brilliant".  I love being right sometimes.

19) Can Love Be This Thing I Found by The Explosions

The debut single from Glasgow band The Explosions.  Sounds like the Jesus and Mary Chain to me but they describe their sound as a mix of Madchester and 60s rock so eagerly awaiting further Explosions. 

20) Coming To Get You Nowhere by This Is The Kit

Kate Stables is an English folk rocker who has spent the last few years touring as a part of US band The National.  Coming to Get You Nowhere is taken from her new album due in late October.  I am a huge fan of her previous album 2017's Moonshine Freeze so looking forward to this.  thisisthekit.bandcamp.com

The Epilogue ...

I hope you've got this far down the page given all the distracting links.    

For anyone new to Bandcamp - just head there, create an account and follow the artists you enjoy. You can buy digital downloads or physical products and the artists get 85-90% of the takings.  The first Friday of each month in 2020 Bandcamp will waive their fees so the artists get it all.  So if you plan to buy some stuff on this site do it on Friday 2nd October 2020 to maximise the profits for the artists.  

Two bands featured this month (The Shop Windows and Polyhymns) were tip-offs from my Twitter mate @MobyTanner and my final recommendation is to follow  The Rebirth Of Cool his excellent music blog where he introduces loads of new indie bands with a greater frequency than my monthly schedule.   

            Cheers Danny / @oldindiekid1

 

Manchester

The horrific terrorist attack by Islamist extremists targeted against children at a music concert in Manchester last week was sickening and unforgivable.  My heart goes out to the family and friends of anyone affected by the events at the Manchester Arena.  The response and the stories of assistance showed the resilience from the people of Manchester.

I've been to a few gigs in Manchester when I was a student and I've always loved the music of the city - the Roses, the Mondays, the Smiths, Oasis, Joy Division and New Order.  One of my favourite films is 24 Hour Party People which depicts the Manchester music scene and the rise and fall of Factory Records with Tony Wilson (played by Steve Coogan).



So here is a playlist to celebrate the Music of Manchester over the last forty years.

Evil must never be rewarded and terrorists will not change the way we live.  

Madchester Will Rave On