Here it is, the 2015 I Can’t Believe My Earz Indie Album Of The Year. You can check out any or all of the albums by clicking on the album title. Thanks to all those involved in the voting, and a special thanks to all of the bands who submitted their music to us this year. To those of you reading this, please continue to support Independent Music. And finally, congratulations to the winners!
10. The Blank Tapes -‘Geodesic Dome Piece‘
I could still listen to this for days on end. The songs make me feel like I did in 1969. The album is wonderfully arranged and produced. The vocals are wonderful, and the lyrics, sardonic and witty. There is an acoustic demo version of “Do You Wanna Get High” as a bonus, and “To Your Dome Piece” is worth a few listens just for the lyrical phrasing.. This is one of those must have albums. The kind that you have to have in your collection, just because it was done. Bizarro-garage-psychedelic-stoner-surf-pop at its best.
9. Alyeus – ‘And From The Sky We Fall‘
And From The Sky We Fall is a wonderful ride. Filled with cool effects, eclectic lyrics, acoustic guitar, and I am almost certain there is an electric drill in use here!! The guitar and synthesizer collaboration is exceptional, and I thoroughly enjoyed the underlying spoken word dubbed in. The album is wonderfully written. Wonderfully executed. Wonderfully produced. This is one cool concept album. Do yourself a favor, and check it out, Listen to it in its entirety in one sitting. It is well worth it.
8. The Quiet Things – ‘The Fall‘
I am still liking this album. The vocals are wonderful, and the songs are exceptional. Incredibly original music, with the ability to create mood. The songs are wonderfully original, unique, and way cool. From beginning to end, it will have you tapping your feet, and trying to sing along. It gets inside you, and you just can’t get it out! Not a bad thing though, since The Fall is insanely good! Definitely a must have album.
7. Fractal Reverb – ‘Songs To Overcome The Ego Mind‘
Songs To Overcome The Ego Mind is an incredible journey. Progressive Psychedelic Rock, a sort of fusion of Yes, King Crimson, and Rush. The sound is wonderfully full, and complex, incorporating different orchestral themes within each track. A progressive free for all that is perfectly executed, and often unexpected. The album drives forward, taking you places that you never imagined existed. A brilliant piece of work! This is the kind of album you put on and just let it play, allowing the music to envelop you, and hold you within it. An epic sound. An epic album. Certainly one of the most incredible collections of music I have heard in a long time.
6. Ivory Hours – ‘Morning Light‘
The songs are insanely good, filled with pop melodies, great harmonies, and wonderful arrangements. The lyrics tell stories, and the choruses are insanely good. Pure pop. With a elements of rock, and blues. The vibe is dynamite. Entertaining & exciting..An incredibly wonderful listen! Amazingly pop, with bass and drums providing the perfect backdrop to exceptional melodies. The album is just plain wonderful, providing way cool pop melodies with exceptional arrangements. Go out and get 1. Or 2. It is that good.
5. Andrew Waite & The Firm – ‘Burning Through The Night‘
Burning Through The Night is wonderfully soothing & melodic. A return to the singer-songwriter days, with songs filled with heartfelt stories that resonate with me. The vocals are unique, and I dig the raspiness in Andrew Waite’s voice. The arrangements rock, and the horns & organ are a delightful. Andrew Waite & The Firm could very well be the next Blue Rodeo!! A band to watch. A band to listen to!! The album is a wonderfully satisfying journey that I plan on taking regularly. I suspect that I will have to make an endless loop as I can’t see myself getting tired of this.
4. The Cool Whips – ‘Goodies‘
‘Goodies’ is a wonderfully fun time. 12 amazing songs with unforgettable melodies, sweet harmonies, and addictive hooks. Add to all that great changes, and farfisa, and you get a perfectly pop album! Amazingly cool! I like this band. I like the sound. I like the album. It is good! Definitely a must have album.
3. Nadine Shah – ‘Fast Food‘
Nadine Shah has a style all of her own. Unforgettable and unmistakable! Beautiful & sublime. The songs are wonderfully written, and have been driving some to move uncontrollably. I dig this album. It is wonderfully eclectic. It is alternative. Alternative cool. Alternative wonderful. Get it today!
2. The Turnback – ‘Are We There Yet?‘
Are We There Yet is way cool Power Pop. I seem to be involved in a love affair with this album, It makes me happy, and asks for nothing in return. It has me singing around the house. The songs are exceptional, with great melodies, wonderful harmonies, dynamite bridges & choruses, and unforgettable hooks. The Turnback have delivered an incredibly great album, that I am referring to as Power Pop of the new millennium! The production is wonderful. There is a sweet balance here, with nothing over the top. It is pure power pop perfection!! Get a dozen or so copies. Give them to your family and friends. Or keep them all for yourself. I would. And if they ever hold a parade for this release, I will be there, front and centre, with a truckload of ticker tape.
1. The Easy Outs – ‘Desolate Row‘
The Easy Outs have struck gold. The sound is insanely full, but there are no gimmicks here, just straight ahead rock and roll. Not just rock, but Jersey Rock. The kind of rock that hits you in the face, with wonderful riffs, great changes, and a kick ass rhythm section. The kind of rock that you take on a road trip, top down as you barrel along some coastal highway! Sounding like The Beatles meet The Ramones, Desolate Row blends wonderful melodies, unforgettable hooks and way cool harmonies, with high octane garage rock. It is simply a wild party, and you’re invited. You just need to get a copy, crank it up, and hold on tight!
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Its been about a week since i received a copy of The Cool Whips new album ‘baddies‘. I have been listening to it non stop. Everywhere I have been, I have been listening to this Portland, Oregon band’s follow up to their 2014 release, ‘goodies‘. I have played it for family, friends, ex band mates, and music loving neighbors, because its that good! 12 1960’s pop songs that excite and entertain. The album flows with unforgettable melodies, sweet harmonies, and seamless changes. The songs deliver wonderful riffs, and the prominent use of organ is brilliant. I hear shades of The Hollies, The Zombies, and The Beatles, and there are 2 tracks that could be in the dance scenes of any Frankie & Annette movie. The lyrics are clever, with gems like “hasn’t had much cool since he cut off his shag” just one of the reasons ‘My Old Man Is A Drag‘, and the arrangements are complex in their simplicity. A wonderfully stylish album that delivers an exceptionally good time. Favorite tracks: ‘Inside Outsider‘, ‘Liberace’s Lamp‘, and ‘There Must Have Been Sugar On It‘. You should check out ‘baddies‘ and if you haven’t, its probably time to check out ‘goodies‘ as well.
I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EARZ 