It’s been a shite year. Not just because of the pretendy pox. Although that doesn’t help. But when I went back over everything I’ve reviewed in 2020 (I haven’t counted but we’re talking circa 250+ records) there weren’t that many that had me making regular return visits. So here’s the best of what was heard in the Year 2020 in the world of Zeitgeist. And I say heard because some of them may have come out in 2019. I don’t know. Don’t care either.
Order correct at the time of writing. I may end up hating some of these with a vengeance. Unlikely. #cashonly #norefunds #bestof2020
- FRAYLE – 1692
https://frayle.bandcamp.com/
“I’m an old man. I’ve been places and seen things I want to unsee. Usually, with a healthy application of alcohol, they remain unseen. But this unsettling record brought it all back.”
@LayBareRecs
- LOUISE LEMÓN – Devil
https://louiselemon.bandcamp.com/
“I always worry about records like this. See, Ms Lemon made my favourite record of 2019. So when she announced her new release I immediately started fretting. The danger of it not being any good and thus tainting what went before. It’s number 327 on the list of reasons I drink.”
https://www.facebook.com/iceaofficial
- THE BITTER ELEGANCE – Hiding In The Spotlight
http://www.thebitterelegance.com/
“‘Chasing Eden’ and ‘Kiss This Goodbye’ are my go to songs for now but you can drop the needle anywhere you like and you’re off into world of rabbit holes and spiral galaxies.”
https://www.facebook.com/thebitterelegance/
- NATURAL SPIRIT – Under Sickle Of Time
https://www.facebook.com/naturalspiritmetal/
“Ukranian folk metal anyone? Well me certainly because this is fantastic. Folk metal is one of my favourite things. Maybe it’s hailing from North of the Wall. Maybe it’s from the days when the Lord of the Isles spent a fair amount of time pillaging my ancestors.”
http://www.natural-spirit.com.ua
- THE FRED PALA BAND – Through A London Window
https://fredpala.bandcamp.com/
“If you’re looking to grab the attention of a jaded reviewer who futilely tries to burn laminated press releases in lieu of listening to the records they’re supposed to promote then try sending your CD out in a circular tin box. For sure I’ll curse you when it comes to working out where to store the damn thing. But you got me to listen. Of course it helps if you’re playing viciously tight blues rock in a power trio format.”
@FredPalaoficial
- MAGICK BROTHER & MYSTIC SISTER – Magick Brother & Mystic Sister
https://magicbrothermysticsister.bandcamp.com/
“At least you know what to expect when a band names themselves after a Gong song. You’re unlikely to be delving into grime and there will be a flute. And I was right on both counts as this Barcelona based psychedelic outfit head off into otherworldy realms.”
@johncolbysect
- LOUISE PATRICIA CRANE – Deep Blue
https://louisepatriciacrane.bandcamp.com/
“It’s certainly interesting and diverse. Oh, and very good. I probably should have led with that as “interesting” often means shite. But not this time around as she delves into the worlds of prog goth.”
- VARIOUS ARTISTS – Help The Witch- A Concept Album
https://stickinthewheel.bandcamp.com
http://tom-cox.com
“It does what the great compilation albums of yore did. Like when you bought “Fill Your Head With Rock” for the Santana and Black Widow tracks then found yourself blindsided by Skin Alley and Trees whilst developing a life long hatred of all things Leonard Cohen.”
@StickInTheWheel
@cox_tom
- WARD XVI – Metamorphosis
https://wardxvi.com/
“It’s just as well that I know that Ward XVI are an avant-garde theatrical rock and metal band otherwise I’d have been spending several weeks on hold trying to get through to our caring, sharing mental health teams. Something I do regularly but it’s usually for me.
@WardXVIOfficial
- PORN – No Monsters In God’s Eyes – Act III
https://www.facebook.com/pxrntheband/
“And so we reach Chapters 20 – 32 in the final installment of the Mr Strangler trilogy and now it’s time for the French gothy industrial outfit Porn to put Mr Strangler to rest. Or will he see to you first? Who knows? Well I do because I’ve heard the record but SPOILER ALERT – no that would be wrong.”
Pure Obsessions & Red Nights http://www.youtube.com/c/PureObsessionsRedNights/
- THE FOLSOM PROJECT – The Wolf & The Skull
https://www.thefolsomprojectmusic.com/
“it sounds like a soundtrack album to a film about someone trapped on the Arctic tundra being trailed by a predator. Although, according to the composer, it’s a soundtrack to the story he tells of a sick and troubled doctor in charge of a biochemical lab in the middle of the woods.”
http://www.facebook.com/thefolsomprojectmusic/
- LINDA CAMPBELL – My Geography
https://lindyvox.wixsite.com/lindacampbellmusic
“Well this is quite astounding. In fact I demand an immediate public inquiry into why the name Linda Campbell isn’t known in every household. For sure, it’s seventies styled singer / songwriter meets soft rock but apparently “Rumours” sells a million copies a year and folk who like that will love this.”
@LoopsCampbell
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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