Top Ten Albums of 2020 - 10. BOB - You Can Stop That For A Start

A series of articles counting down some of the best albums from 2020, including the big hitters, with some lesser-known bands thrown in as well. At number ten, it's the first album in nineteen years from brit-pop indie rock outfit BOB. 

BOB, hailing from North London, were formed in 1985, and despite disbanding ten years later in 1995, they've managed to drop one of 2020s most endearing albums.

Falling victim to financial issues with record labels and management in the 90s, BOB were forced to end the band. Although music has been sporadically rereleased over the following decades, it wasn't until 2019 when loyal fans were presented with the chance to rediscover their youth. BOB embarked on a small tour, stating the six concerts over England and Germany would be the final time the band would be together.

The one positive that came out of BOB's early demise was that the band was left with hundreds of unreleased tracks, just sitting, waiting to be rescued. Which brings us to here, 2020.

Despite not releasing new music for nearly two decades, 25 September saw the emergence of a 'legendary archive' of unreleased material that immediately transports the listener back to the early 90s.

The best thing about BOB's 'You Can Stop That For A Start' is, where most new albums from bands of their time feature artists constantly trying to recapture the sound they once created, this is music from that time, there is nothing fake about it.

The collection of tracks is bursting with indie choruses built for radio airtime. The hardest thing about listening to the album is thinking what could have been. From grungier, darker tunes like 'Sundown' to instantly memorable 'Say You're Alone' filled with classic pop sensibilities, and 'Don't Kid' a slow building track that touches the boundary of psychedelic rock.

BOB demonstrate sheer song writing talent that, with the right backing, would have been destined for chart success at the time of recording.

It is music that wouldn't be out of place on any brit-pop or 'alternative nineties' playlist and with even more unreleased material recorded, fans can cross their fingers that it won't be another nineteen years until we hear more from BOB. 

Don't miss out on any updates and follow the band on Twitter and listen on Spotify. You can buy the first BOB album in nearly twenty years, 'You Can Stop That For A Start' here. 

Keep up with our 2020 album countdown on Instagram and Twitter!