-carlos nyc
― Carlos Ramirez (Carlos Ramirez), Friday, 5 December 2003 05:59 (twenty years ago) link
― Orbit (Orbit), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:10 (twenty years ago) link
― webcrack (music=crack), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:12 (twenty years ago) link
― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:13 (twenty years ago) link
― the surface noise (electricsound), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:18 (twenty years ago) link
― fact checking cuz, Friday, 5 December 2003 06:22 (twenty years ago) link
― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:35 (twenty years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:36 (twenty years ago) link
― hstencil, Friday, 5 December 2003 06:38 (twenty years ago) link
― latebloomer (latebloomer), Friday, 5 December 2003 06:39 (twenty years ago) link
Put this song twice.
― billstevejim, Friday, 5 December 2003 07:07 (twenty years ago) link
― billstevejim, Friday, 5 December 2003 07:10 (twenty years ago) link
― John Fredland (jfredland), Friday, 5 December 2003 07:47 (twenty years ago) link
― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Friday, 5 December 2003 08:16 (twenty years ago) link
― gaz (gaz), Friday, 5 December 2003 08:41 (twenty years ago) link
― willem (willem), Friday, 5 December 2003 08:56 (twenty years ago) link
― Rob Bolton (Rob Bolton), Friday, 5 December 2003 09:33 (twenty years ago) link
― Rob M (Rob M), Friday, 5 December 2003 09:44 (twenty years ago) link
brendan benson - tiny sparklemonheads - confettiteenage fanclub - neil jung
― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Friday, 5 December 2003 09:54 (twenty years ago) link
― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Friday, 5 December 2003 11:07 (twenty years ago) link
― NickB (NickB), Friday, 5 December 2003 11:10 (twenty years ago) link
― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Friday, 5 December 2003 12:07 (twenty years ago) link
― gaz (gaz), Friday, 5 December 2003 12:50 (twenty years ago) link
You should put some Shoes on there, and don't forget Material Issue's "Valerie Loves Me" on there. (BTW, Jim Ellison was a member of Green for awhile back in the day, though I don't think he played on Elaine.) You might as well put on some early Posies and Smithereens, too.
― don weiner, Friday, 5 December 2003 13:04 (twenty years ago) link
― Tenacious Dee (Dee the Lurker), Friday, 5 December 2003 13:09 (twenty years ago) link
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 5 December 2003 13:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Friday, 5 December 2003 14:25 (twenty years ago) link
― lawrence kansas (lawrence kansas), Friday, 5 December 2003 14:38 (twenty years ago) link
Yo La Tengo - Bitter EndMagnapop - Lay it Down
― dave225 (Dave225), Friday, 5 December 2003 14:48 (twenty years ago) link
― willem (willem), Friday, 5 December 2003 14:59 (twenty years ago) link
― Kingfish Beestick (Kingfish), Friday, 5 December 2003 15:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 5 December 2003 15:51 (twenty years ago) link
see also: "September Gurls," "In The Street," and "Back Of A Car."
― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 5 December 2003 15:55 (twenty years ago) link
― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Friday, 5 December 2003 16:00 (twenty years ago) link
― may pang (maypang), Friday, 5 December 2003 16:17 (twenty years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 5 December 2003 19:45 (twenty years ago) link
why not some current: The Exploding Hearts - 'I'm a Pretender', The Star Spangles - "Which One of the Two Of Us Is Going To Burn This House Down"
― brent_D, Friday, 5 December 2003 20:34 (twenty years ago) link
― nickalicious (nickalicious), Friday, 5 December 2003 20:36 (twenty years ago) link
Second (or third) the Big Star suggestions
― webcrack (music=crack), Friday, 5 December 2003 21:29 (twenty years ago) link
― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:02 (twenty years ago) link
― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:07 (twenty years ago) link
― lauren (laurenp), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:07 (twenty years ago) link
― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:13 (twenty years ago) link
"Can't Hardly Wait" by The Replacements.
― Alex Pittman (Alex Pittman), Saturday, 6 December 2003 00:31 (twenty years ago) link
Sounds a lot like it to me.
― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Saturday, 6 December 2003 00:33 (twenty years ago) link
― kinski (kinski), Saturday, 6 December 2003 00:57 (twenty years ago) link
Like all Posies albums, it falls about after the first five songs.
― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Saturday, 6 December 2003 01:30 (twenty years ago) link
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 6 December 2003 04:51 (twenty years ago) link
― Burr (Burr), Saturday, 6 December 2003 05:12 (twenty years ago) link
― ModJ (ModJ), Saturday, 6 December 2003 05:17 (twenty years ago) link
1. The Who: I Can See For Miles2. Nazz: Open My Eyes3. Badfinger: No Matter What4. The Raspberries: Go All The Way5. Todd Rundgren: Couldn't I Just Tell You6. Blue Ash: Abracadabra (Have You Seen Her)7. Big Star: September Gurls8. Dwight Twilley: I'm On Fire9. The Flamin' Groovies: Shake Some Action10.Pezband: Baby It's Cold Outside11.Cheap Trick: I Want You To Want Me12.Fotomaker: Where Have You Been All My Life13.The Rubinoos: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend14.The Records: Starry Eyes15.The Knack: My Sharona16.Shoes: Too Late17.20/20: Yellow Pills18.The Romantics: What I Like About You19.Phil Seymour: Precious To Me20.Rick Springfield: Jessie's Girl21.Marshall Crenshaw: Someday Someway22.The Plimsouls: A Million Miles Away23.The Spongetones: She Goes Out With Everybody24.The dBs: Love Is For Lovers
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 6 December 2003 06:49 (twenty years ago) link
― particlewave, Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:12 (twenty years ago) link
― hr`, Saturday, 6 December 2003 18:53 (twenty years ago) link
― particlewave, Saturday, 6 December 2003 19:20 (twenty years ago) link
― Colin O'Neil (kurdtkobain205), Sunday, 7 December 2003 00:17 (twenty years ago) link
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Sunday, 7 December 2003 00:27 (twenty years ago) link
Of course Big Star--Back of a Car and the inevitable September Gurls are essential; also In the Street and When My Baby's Beside Me
The Move have to be in there somewhere too:Flowers in the Rain; Wild Tiger Woman; Wave Your Flag and Stop the Train; Omnibus; Hello Susie; Fire Brigade
Easybeats are pretty proto-powerpop too:
Sorry; Remember Sam; Bring a Little Lovin'; Friday on My Mind; Heaven and Hell; Wait a Minute.
Cheap Trick--If You Want My Love
Diesel Park West--All the Myths on Sunday, the greatest Big Star rip ever
Records--Teenarama
― eddie hurt (ddduncan), Sunday, 7 December 2003 01:26 (twenty years ago) link
Pursuit of Happiness - "Shes So Young"
Jellyfish - "The King Is Half Undressed"
Big Star - "Daisy Glaze"
Elliott Smith - "Son Of Sam"
― David Nolan (David N.), Sunday, 7 December 2003 03:18 (twenty years ago) link
― the surface noise (electricsound), Sunday, 7 December 2003 10:22 (twenty years ago) link
― Mike Ouderkirk (Mike Ouderkirk), Sunday, 7 December 2003 23:08 (twenty years ago) link
Sparks - "Amateur Hour", "Tips for Teens"Cheap Trick - "Surrender"
― Curt (cgould), Monday, 8 December 2003 00:05 (twenty years ago) link
― Curt (cgould), Monday, 8 December 2003 00:17 (twenty years ago) link
I'm quite sure you guys know this band. But I thnik we don't speak a lot about it. "Only Forever" is a wonderful album, one of my favorite of the 90s.
That's all I wanted to say :)
― C11 (C11), Monday, 8 December 2003 00:18 (twenty years ago) link
― unknown or illegal user (doorag), Monday, 8 December 2003 00:25 (twenty years ago) link
― Seb, Monday, 8 December 2003 08:16 (twenty years ago) link
Liquor Giants...just from the s/t album:Chocolate ClownFake Love100 Dollar CarAwful GoodHideous PleasureHereJerked AroundAll I Get
Gawd, how did Ward Dotson go so ignored?!?
― john. a resident of chicago., Friday, 23 April 2010 03:55 (fourteen years ago) link
A non-complete list of some of the best from the Yellow Pills comps...
The Rock Club - Time Will Tell on YouThe Flashcubes - It's You TonightChris von Sneidern - Call Out My NameKyle Vincent - Just a Matter of TimeShoes - A Thing of the PastBlack and Blonde - Just in TimeJohn McMullan - Taking Me SomewhereThe Beat - I've Always Got You on My MindDM3 - Show YouJason Falkner - My Home Is Not a House
Anyone like Adam Schmitt?
― skip, Friday, 23 April 2010 04:25 (fourteen years ago) link
Another Girl Another Planet - Only OnesMarie Provost - Nick LowePeace Love & Understanding - Elvis CostelloRemember the Lightning- 20/20September Girl - Big StarNo Matter What - BadfingerI Think We're Alone Now - Tommy JamesLet It Be Me - Dum Dum GirlsTake the Cash - Wreckless Eric
― ImprovSpirit, Friday, 23 April 2010 20:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Dum Dum Girls???
Cotton Mather - the entire Kontiki album
― skip, Friday, 23 April 2010 20:31 (fourteen years ago) link
Aww man, "Whippings and Apologies" by Sparks as well, totally righteous.
― grandavis, Friday, 23 April 2010 20:46 (fourteen years ago) link
putting this here for future generations:
this video by THE COLORS never fails to make me happy (1980 power pop stuff if you ain't never heard them)
― scott seward, Friday, 23 April 2010 20:51 (fourteen years ago) link
the stiv bators album is terrible/great.
― Philip Nunez, Friday, 23 April 2010 20:58 (fourteen years ago) link
need more 80s power pop:
Scruffy the Cat - My Baby, She's AlrightLet's Active - Every Word Means NoThe Bongos - Bulrushes
― that's not my post, Saturday, 24 April 2010 06:43 (fourteen years ago) link
The fucking Toms record is rocking my shit right now.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 03:56 (thirteen years ago) link
There was a cool book that came out a couple of years ago, "The Ultimate Power Pop Guide" which selected the 200 best power pop albums of all-time. If you google that name you'll find some industrious fellow took one song from each album and put together a series of compilations. Quite nifty! 200 power pop songs in a row is a bit much for me, though.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 04:14 (thirteen years ago) link
The Modernettes -- Little Girls
― Chonus, Wednesday, 19 January 2011 18:54 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi0uz8JD9Aw
― call all destroyer, Friday, 21 January 2011 01:07 (thirteen years ago) link
Elastica - Blue is one of my current obsessions.
― Davek (davek_00), Friday, 21 January 2011 01:10 (thirteen years ago) link
Two drunk dudes were walking round the pub singing "Airport" by the Motors the other day.
― Bernard V. O'Hare (dog latin), Friday, 21 January 2011 11:22 (thirteen years ago) link
Brendan Benson's "Tiny Spark" is a nugget-sized wrecking ball. Don't like anything else I've heard by him, but must have played "Tiny Spark" 1000 times in the past 3-4 years. That'd be on my alltime PP comp.
― we can only flee in abject horror from yesterday's mistakes (staggerlee), Saturday, 22 January 2011 02:04 (thirteen years ago) link
Brendan Benson's "Tiny Spark" is a nugget-sized wrecking ball. Don't like anything else I've heard by him, but must have played "Tiny Spark" 1000 times in the past 3-4 years. That'd be on my alltime PP comp. --we can only flee in abject horror from yesterday's mistakes (staggerlee)
― Naive Teen Idol, Saturday, 22 January 2011 16:29 (thirteen years ago) link
200 power pop songs in a row is a bit much for me, though.
Heresy!
― skip, Saturday, 22 January 2011 16:40 (thirteen years ago) link
― clemenza, Saturday, 22 January 2011 16:43 (thirteen years ago) link
I picked up the MFSL of Marshall Crenshaw's self titled album and listened to that and Field Day a few times over the last week. Both albums left me kind of cold in the past and still do. "Too polished" are not the right words but something like that -- the guitar fills that are a little too canned, choruses that are a little bland. A band like the Rubinoos made some real clunkers but there's more heart in their music. Maybe it's his voice--I really liked Jaggedland, his 2009 album, where he sounds grizzled and older. That said "Whenever You're on My Mind" is pretty much perfect and "Cynical Girl" gets close.
MFSL is not really worth picking up but the bass is a little more pronounced.
― skip, Saturday, 22 January 2011 19:33 (thirteen years ago) link
http://open.spotify.com/user/jseraf/playlist/5TRkdCojkl2JpclHE949Mi
― john. a resident of chicago., Friday, 14 October 2011 03:30 (twelve years ago) link
In the vein of The Toms:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1m0T9hwRI
― ███★★★███ (PappaWheelie V), Friday, 14 October 2011 03:35 (twelve years ago) link
If you want Power Pop, you have to check out the excellent Elaine MacKenzie album by Green, crammed with yearning & screaming PowerPopSongs. Follow-up White Soul is excellent as well. If I would have to pick one song to include on your comp, it'd be "Don't Ever Fall In Love With Someone, As Long As You Love Someone Else".― willem (willem), Friday, December 5, 2003 3:56 AM (7 years ago) Bookmark
― willem (willem), Friday, December 5, 2003 3:56 AM (7 years ago) Bookmark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNrWZBzP6_I&feature=related
― Tarfumes The Escape Goat, Friday, 14 October 2011 03:42 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0uL2vK4dY&feature=related
― per metal injection (Eazy), Friday, 14 October 2011 03:59 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEjutUbgpH8
― frogbs, Friday, 14 October 2011 03:59 (twelve years ago) link
No Tommy Keene mentioned yet? I'd go with Underworld, but the guy has literally dozens of (should be) classic songs.
― jer.fairall, Friday, 14 October 2011 04:20 (twelve years ago) link
"Places That Are Gone" is mixtape gold.
Monroes have amazing hair.
Re: that Mark & the Spies track ... I get what you are saying with the Toms comparison, but IMO that's a lame track, and not alone of late in its old-guy Beatles-ness. I would even put someone like Mike Viola in this category despite his arranging strengths (see this spotify playlist for a lot more http://open.spotify.com/user/roshjosenblum/playlist/62NZXrvkr91d8Ngl0jHfbD ). Too high fidelity? Something that pretty could use some grunge and hiss. Too far removed from the Beatles to know the difference between homage and inspiration? Or maybe it's just songwriting. The chord progressions in the verse and chorus are not only cheesy (forgivable) but boring (not forgivable). The reason hi-fi, poppy tracks by someone like Matthew Sweet tend to work and have replay value is that there is always something at least temporarily ugly and off. e.g. "I've Been Waiting" - there are dissonances everywhere. Of course they eventually resolve, but it's not like it's resonant major chord after chord. "Sick of Myself" is a pretty pat track but the guitar work is good and the lyrics add interest. Those guys should learn from the Toms and do some variations on "Sun" until they learn that dissonance is not necessarily a bad thing.
― skip, Friday, 14 October 2011 17:00 (twelve years ago) link
is this the thread where i mention some of the best power pop songs are probably hard salsa songs
― fauxmarc, Wednesday, 19 October 2011 23:37 (twelve years ago) link
NRBQ - "I Want You Bad", "Ridin' In My Car"Teenage Fanclub - "Star Sign"Nazz - "Forget All About It"Del Amitri - "Roll To Me"Nils Lofgren & Grin - "White Lies"Lemonheads - "Into Your Arms"Hollies - "Look Through Any Window"The Who - "The Kids Are Alright"Marshall Crenshaw - "Our Town"
And since virtually all power pop traces its roots back to the first two Byrds albums, I must mention "All I Really Want To Do", "Feel A Whole Lot Better", and "The World Turns All Around Her".
― Everything else is secondary (Lee626), Thursday, 20 October 2011 05:33 (twelve years ago) link
I'd probably go with "You're My Favorite Waste of Time" for Marshall Crenshaw. Amazing that, to my knowledge, he's only recorded that demo-y sounding take on it.
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 21 October 2011 01:47 (twelve years ago) link
probably something by The Pillows
― billstevejim, Saturday, 22 October 2011 00:31 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNcy1RHDHhE
― billstevejim, Saturday, 22 October 2011 00:32 (twelve years ago) link
― Daniel, Esq., Saturday, 22 October 2011 00:55 (twelve years ago) link
Great song I found on a compilation a few years ago--someone's put it up on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT7WNJmqn1Q
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 November 2013 00:45 (ten years ago) link
I wish she'd open her eyes.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 27 November 2013 00:46 (ten years ago) link
"Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris.
― Doctor Flange, Thursday, 28 November 2013 00:44 (ten years ago) link
Here's a real good one from the 90s. The band is Myracle Brah, the song is called Good Day To The Night. It's not on youtube but you can here a sample below. If you like power pop, it will be worth the 15 seconds.
http://www.pandora.com/myracle-brah/super-automatic/good-day-to-night
― kornrulez6969, Thursday, 28 November 2013 01:01 (ten years ago) link
Another great one that should have been a hit. The Wake Ups, Nobody Slows. This isn't on youtube either but you can get a feel for it here. So so great.
http://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Slows/dp/B0015ELT3M
― kornrulez6969, Thursday, 28 November 2013 01:03 (ten years ago) link
Can't find the Wake Ups, but that seems to be a Scruffs cover (or maybe vice versa).
― clemenza, Thursday, 28 November 2013 01:39 (ten years ago) link
Same band. Their real name is the Wake Ups but for some reason they were called The Scruffs, but not the Memphis power pop Scruffs of the 70s
― kornrulez6969, Thursday, 28 November 2013 05:40 (ten years ago) link
Interesting...strange that they'd risk comparisons. I'm not that big on their song, but I love "Good Day to the Night." Will have to get hold of the whole album.
― clemenza, Thursday, 28 November 2013 14:01 (ten years ago) link
teenage fanclub - alcoholiday
― it's the distortion, stupid! (alex in mainhattan), Thursday, 28 November 2013 14:32 (ten years ago) link
This is especially good in the context of the album but one of my '90s favorites - Cotton Mather's Password:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsE1AM5-KHI
― skip, Monday, 2 December 2013 16:44 (ten years ago) link
I love "Good Day to the Night." Will have to get hold of the whole album.
The album is called Life On Planet Eartsnop. Well worth searching out.
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 2 December 2013 19:19 (ten years ago) link
It occurred to me that this song really belongs on here. A lost classic, in my opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bDDAOJV1xU
― Poliopolice, Monday, 6 January 2014 05:48 (ten years ago) link
Artful Dodger - most people would say "Wayside" but "Think Think" or "Honor Among Thieves" are even better IMO.Dwight Twilley - "You Were So Warm"
― Sandy, Monday, 6 January 2014 09:01 (ten years ago) link
Modern power pop that I think is really great: Title Tracks from Washington D.C.... The chorus on this one just blows up (ca. 1m 45s)!!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1J9AFDstKI
― Walter Galt, Monday, 6 January 2014 12:23 (ten years ago) link
there should be a poll!!
entire Slow Wonder album by ac newman is great, first song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO4OY_pKKVc
― niels, Monday, 6 January 2014 16:32 (ten years ago) link
I know very little about this band except this has been one of my favorite songs for the last two years. I'm pretty sure it belongs in this thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDk4INQoIcI
― purrington, Monday, 13 January 2014 06:02 (ten years ago) link
"The Laws Have Changed" by New Pornographers
― intimately bellowing (staggerlee), Monday, 13 January 2014 15:52 (ten years ago) link
I downloaded a compilation series a few years ago out of Australia, The Bam Balam Explosion--seven volumes, 22-24 songs each. I burned Vol. 1 last year, and didn't burn anything more; most of it was the kind of power-pop I don't care for (designated by Chuck Eddy as "crunchy" on one of these power-pop threads). Finally got around to burning the second volume, and even though it's more of the same, I like this a lot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXjkjFjXDfM
Could almost pass for mid-'60s Who, or at least the vocal could, one of the most Daltrey-like I've ever heard.
― clemenza, Thursday, 20 November 2014 01:36 (nine years ago) link
Will always be "Tonight" by the Raspberries
― dog people (rip van wanko), Thursday, 20 November 2014 01:41 (nine years ago) link
Pshaw. The best power pop song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbVdrnRm4R4
― augh (Control Z), Thursday, 20 November 2014 02:06 (nine years ago) link
"Shakin' Street"'s great--was just reading Greil Marcus' review of Back in the USA not 30 minutes ago (just posted yesterday):
http://greilmarcus.net/2014/11/18/mc5-back-in-the-usa-051470/
― clemenza, Thursday, 20 November 2014 02:17 (nine years ago) link
On the "Nuggets" end of the power pop spectrum, we present: The Grip Weeds - "Astral Man"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGNjoEfKvbg
One more: "Love's Lost on You"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0utX0_i-ndA
― Hideous Lump, Thursday, 20 November 2014 05:10 (nine years ago) link
The greatest power-pop album ever in the history of everything has just been reissued on vinyl:http://www.lionproductions.org/pages/GREENLP.html
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, 20 November 2014 14:57 (nine years ago) link
How about some Japanese power pop? Puffy AmiYumi - "Planet Tokyo". The whole album "Nice" is worth a listen for anyone into '70s/'80s rock pastiche (all of us). http://open.spotify.com/track/3c8QlMUMpzNjMOZnfoImjx
― skip, Wednesday, 10 December 2014 15:49 (nine years ago) link
Having said Radio City is mostly not even remotely power pop, leading to a small chorus of hoots, I feel compelled to say what exactly power pop would be if not that! And yes, September Gurls strikes me as fitting. But songs with a lot of chugging weird rhythmic moves, screwy extra sounds, and audible pain - this describes the bulk of Radio City - don't seem to show up much in the later canon of songs people refer to as power pop.
If power pop means anything other than just a catchy form of "rock" then it should indicate super catchiness, uptempo excitement, a kind of smiling thing going on (that could be messed over by the actual lyrical content: BETTER!), not too many different parts in the same song (i.e. no, seriously, people listing Big Star's far-superior-trippy-bummer-to-roger-waters-era-pink-floyd "Daisy Glaze" as power pop: you wouldn't even call this masterpiece power pop if it were done by any other band).
People start power pop off with Beatles & Kinks & Who & Troggs which is almost cheating! Isn't that just "rock"? Nevertheless, "So Sad About Us" & "With a Girl Like You" do cross over into that super-catchy but still rocking-zone which I'm figuring is the hallmark. personally, I'd say some serious 60s/early 70s power pop examples are:
Beach Boys - Darlin Grass Roots - Temptation EyesBoyce & Hart - I wonder what she's doing tonightBobby Fuller Four - I Fought the Law & The Law WonNazz - Open My Eyes (this one allegedly an example of 60s punk via nuggets inclusion)Crabby Appleton - Go BackBadfinger - No Matter What (if this ain't power pop the genre doesn't exist)
An obvious question --- well, obvious as soon as I ask it --- is the relationship between power pop and bubblegum. I'd say you can't stick a pubic hair between them in some cases: Yummy Yummy by the Ohio Express isn't just pop, and it isn't just powerful, it's the most obvious template for "Holidays in the Sun"
Another obvious question --- why isn't any black music called power pop? (was everything Christgau said about Trouser Press true?) If there is any black power pop then let me nominate "Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie" by Jay & The Techniques (any excuse to praise that record!!) and "Fun" by Sly & The Family Stone (road-tested with a battalion of power pop fans who loved it). Just for starters, mind you.
There's plenty more lame genre arguments I can troll here but let me get into safer territory now: some examples of great power pop from the 'recognized power pop era' that I shouldn't get many arguments about, at least if you go and listen to them:
Sniff'n the Tears - Driver's SeatUndertones - HypnotizedUndertones - His Good Looking Girlfriend (2 undertones songs out of many candidates)Buzzcocks - Everybody's Happy NowadaysMonochrome Set - Martians Go HomeAltered Images - Funny Funny MeThe Adverts - Safety in Numbers (allegedly punk I know but Adverts is pretty pop & good for them)The Vibrators - Baby Baby (ditto)Shonen Knife - Bear Up Bison (Pretty Little Baka Guy version is more pop & less punk)
― Vic Perry, Friday, 12 December 2014 00:15 (nine years ago) link
This is the best power pop song of all time:
DWIGHT TWILLEY - LOOKING FOR DA MAGICZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xq0ykm_SrM
― Moka, Friday, 12 December 2014 00:25 (nine years ago) link
And this the second best:
CIRRUS EDDY - GET DA MSG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-Dtg295wVk
― Moka, Friday, 12 December 2014 00:26 (nine years ago) link
This is a storming piece of power pop imo, but might have flown under lots of people's radars through being on a metal album (warning: most pop thing on the record, which is 'only' a great sludge album elsewhere).
http://youtu.be/s7uokNi7qEw
― the bowels are not what they seem (aldo), Friday, 12 December 2014 10:25 (nine years ago) link
The entire Adam Schmitt - World So Bright album is amazing. His second record is worth checking out too although it's a little darker/more disjointed.
― DavidLeeRoth, Friday, 12 December 2014 13:21 (nine years ago) link
weird why did it take me so long to hear about Emitt Rhodes?
reminds me a lot of the s/t Flame album
― Οὖτις, Friday, 12 December 2014 17:32 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_YWc0RszxU
― Moka, Saturday, 13 December 2014 21:17 (nine years ago) link
I don't care for them, but when I think of power pop I think of FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE
― brimstead, Saturday, 13 December 2014 21:20 (nine years ago) link
And why have XTC not been mentioned yet. This is one of the highlights for me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1o3YRYBmY
― Moka, Saturday, 13 December 2014 22:07 (nine years ago) link
No Game Theory or Loud Family? Ok then: "Nine Lives to Rigel Five," "24," "Erica's Word," "We Love You Carol and Alison," "Inverness," "Motion of Ariel."
― mike a, Thursday, 18 December 2014 16:03 (nine years ago) link
LOVE the first Loud Family album. I'll add Take Me Down To Haloo to your list.
― kornrulez6969, Thursday, 18 December 2014 16:11 (nine years ago) link
We're also missing some of the most popular songs that flirt with the genre:
PILOT - MAGIC
THE ROMANTICS - WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU
THE RUBINOOS - I WANNA BE YOUR BOYFRIEND
THE CARS - JUST WHAT I NEEDED
and I'm not if it qualifies but I see it dumped in several 'power pop' lists:
THE OUTFIELD - YOUR LOVE
― Moka, Thursday, 18 December 2014 18:27 (nine years ago) link
Pilot "Magic" might have been the first power pop song I fell in love with, unless "Little Willy" by Sweet and/or "Jet" by Paul McCartney count.
The Romantics one I go for is "Talking in Your Sleep"
― Vic Perry, Thursday, 18 December 2014 18:32 (nine years ago) link
The Sun Sawed in 1/2 were almost as good as Jellyfish (and very similar in style) for a couple albums. too bad they never really took off. one of my favorites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35-Na1Athas
― yusef latifah (unregistered), Saturday, 3 January 2015 02:00 (nine years ago) link
Chumped's "Something About Geography"--I count it, most wouldn't.
http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Something+About+Geography/7aJL92?src=5
― clemenza, Sunday, 4 January 2015 14:23 (nine years ago) link
Last weekend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la-ll0dttXM
― timellison, Wednesday, 29 July 2015 03:24 (nine years ago) link
Who else has been playing Power Pop lately?The Toms album is amazing.
― He said captain, I said wot (FlopsyDuck), Saturday, 7 July 2018 22:24 (six years ago) link
"Tonight" by the RaspberriesThe whole Singles Going Steady disc"At Night" by Buffalo Tom
― rip van wanko, Saturday, 7 July 2018 22:33 (six years ago) link
"And Your Bird Can Sing" -- The Beatles"Dirty Water" -- The Standells"When My Baby's Beside Me" -- Big Star"Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah" -- The Wedding Present"Echos Myron" -- Guided by Voices"I'm Always in Love" -- Wilco"The Bleeding Heart Show" -- The New Pornographers
― reggie (qualmsley), Saturday, 7 July 2018 22:50 (six years ago) link
crazy that only 3 tracks by Cheap Trick are listed here! i mostly know the first two albums so these are all just from those records:
"ELO Kiddies""Taxman, Mr. Thief""He's a Whore""Big Eyes""Downed""I Want You To Want Me""Oh Caroline""Southern Girls"
― Hazy Maze Cave (Adam Bruneau), Saturday, 7 July 2018 23:08 (six years ago) link
"Downed" is probably my favorite
I want to live on a mountainway down in AustraliaIt's either that or suicideIt's such a strange strain on you
hearing this the first time unlocked some hidden level in my mind completing the gap between The Beatles and Nirvana
― Hazy Maze Cave (Adam Bruneau), Saturday, 7 July 2018 23:10 (six years ago) link
Wait a second, there's a list of great Cheap Trick songs from the first two records that omits Oh Candy? What the hell is going on?
― kornrulez6969, Saturday, 7 July 2018 23:33 (six years ago) link
help me list tropes of the genre. I'll start:
Jesussuperstition
― rip van wanko, Sunday, 8 July 2018 00:43 (six years ago) link
― Moka, viernes 12 de diciembre de 2014 0:25 (three years ago)
This is still my answer.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Sunday, 8 July 2018 01:26 (six years ago) link
Link has died so new link
https://youtu.be/Voa_7sLL7dQ
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Sunday, 8 July 2018 01:27 (six years ago) link
Ron Howard directed this made-for-TV film called Cotton Candy in 1978. That thing is the ultimate power pop movie!
― timellison, Sunday, 8 July 2018 03:18 (six years ago) link
This is the best power pop song of all time:DWIGHT TWILLEY - LOOKING FOR DA MAGICZ📹― Moka, viernes 12 de diciembre de 2014 0:25 (three years ago)This is still my answer.
― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 8 July 2018 03:48 (six years ago) link
Looking for the Magic is perfect. Adam the next two CT records are great too
― albvivertine, Sunday, 8 July 2018 05:37 (six years ago) link
On the Cheap Trick front, I saw Over the Edge for the first time tonight (in a theatre).
― clemenza, Sunday, 8 July 2018 05:56 (six years ago) link
the next two CT records are great too
i've ordered Heaven Tonight and Dream Police both VG+ used vinyl for under $10
― Hazy Maze Cave (Adam Bruneau), Wednesday, 18 July 2018 19:24 (six years ago) link
weird al does a surprisingly good cover of Hello There.What's the best power pop song from a decidedly non-powerpop band?
― Philip Nunez, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 19:54 (six years ago) link
Power Pop is probably not the first thing you think when you think NRBQ, but they had a number of great moments in that vein ("I Want You Bad", "Green Lights", "Me and The Boys" etc.).
― Making Plans For Sturgill (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 18 July 2018 19:59 (six years ago) link
Paperback Writer
― mick signals, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 20:00 (six years ago) link
A number of songs on the Ron Goedert solo album!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQDhavk4oh4
― timellison, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 20:19 (six years ago) link
Is Hey Ya power pop or bubblegum?
― Philip Nunez, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 20:37 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF9DBXoBrNk
― ||||||||, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 20:38 (six years ago) link
What's the best power pop song from a decidedly non-powerpop band?
Either 'Drill Sergeant' by N*E*R*D or 'Here Come July' by Scritti Politti
― Gavin, Leeds, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 20:55 (six years ago) link
"My Sharona" for song structure alone.
― ... (Eazy), Wednesday, 18 July 2018 21:02 (six years ago) link
Simon Turner - (Baby) I Gotta Go
― flopson, Wednesday, 18 July 2018 21:38 (six years ago) link
Peace Love & Understanding - Elvis Costello― ImprovSpirit, Friday, April 23, 2010 1:10 PM (eight years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― ImprovSpirit, Friday, April 23, 2010 1:10 PM (eight years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
this is the jamhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssd3U_zicAI
― InfoWarriors (Spottie), Wednesday, 18 July 2018 21:42 (six years ago) link
the beat - rock n roll girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cEvEUKN4Fw
― flopson, Saturday, 21 July 2018 19:53 (six years ago) link
pure bliss
― niels, Saturday, 21 July 2018 23:59 (six years ago) link
https://youtu.be/gkSy-6ij76k
― rip van wanko, Sunday, 22 July 2018 02:13 (six years ago) link
help me list tropes of the genre. I'll start:Jesussuperstition
pedophilia
― rip van wanko, Sunday, 22 July 2018 02:29 (six years ago) link
Some later era cheese
DM3 - Road to Rome album
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlt545QqLBKV4GK9CjjTfZX2YzEpIsqoi
Lolas - Something You Oughta Know album
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOYnBR8tMVojkgcIMG53yG4S4-Hw9U0SE
The Candyskins - Never Will Forget You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT1jh97FsXI
Flashing Lights - Where Do the Days Go? Heard this one in between sets at a Sloan show but doesn't appear to be available streaming anywhere.
― skip, Sunday, 22 July 2018 04:47 (six years ago) link
California Boy by Lil B came to mind, but then I remembered that song was terrible.
― MarkoP, Sunday, 22 July 2018 05:56 (six years ago) link
controversial opinion: almost all of the 90s power-pop revival stuff is trash
― flopson, Sunday, 22 July 2018 07:13 (six years ago) link
not controversial, just rong
― Arch Bacon (rushomancy), Sunday, 22 July 2018 20:51 (six years ago) link
controversial opinion: some of the aor/power pop crossover stuff from the early '80s (balance, martin briley) is fucking good
― Arch Bacon (rushomancy), Sunday, 22 July 2018 22:38 (six years ago) link
i have a hard time getting past the production. what’s the best 90s stuff iyo?
― flopson, Monday, 23 July 2018 00:41 (six years ago) link
jellyfish
― Arch Bacon (rushomancy), Monday, 23 July 2018 02:05 (six years ago) link
also cotton mather
― Arch Bacon (rushomancy), Monday, 23 July 2018 02:12 (six years ago) link
i think there’s something too formally dramatic and muso to make jellyfish powerpop for the most part and i really like both things. Jellyfish are just fucking awesome.
― Hunt3r, Monday, 23 July 2018 02:12 (six years ago) link
what’s the best 90s stuff iyo?
Red Kross, Lady in the Front Row & Jimmy's Fantasy
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 23 July 2018 02:24 (six years ago) link
SloanThe GraysThe Loud Family
Never could get into Jellyfish. Too close to psychedelia I guess.
― Police, Academy (cryptosicko), Monday, 23 July 2018 02:33 (six years ago) link
I have a soft spot for Buffalo Tom, but never loved the Posies or the Gin Blossoms
― rip van wanko, Monday, 23 July 2018 02:52 (six years ago) link
(and I absolutely adore TFC but they transcend "power pop")
― rip van wanko, Monday, 23 July 2018 02:54 (six years ago) link
I love Buffalo Tom but never really thought of them as power pop. I suppose if jangle is a major component of the genre, they do have plenty of that.
Their 2018 album is pretty solid, btw.
― Police, Academy (cryptosicko), Monday, 23 July 2018 02:59 (six years ago) link
The track listing for Rhino's Poptopia! Power Pop Classics of the '90s (released, rather prematurely, in 1997):
Matthew Sweet - "I've Been Waiting"Jellyfish - "That Is Why"Ride - "Twisterella"Gigolo Aunts - "Cope"The Rembrandts - "Rollin' Down the Hill"Tearaways - "Jessica Something"The Posies - "Solar Sister"The Wondermints - "Proto-Pretty"The Lemonheads - Into Your Arms"Redd Kross - "Lady in the Front Row"The Grays - "Same Thing"The Rooks - "Reasons"The Greenberry Woods - "Trampoline"Velocity Girl - "I Can't Stop Smiling"Velvet Crush - "Hold Me Up"Zumpano - "The Party Rages On"P. Hux - "Every Minute"Idle Wilds - "You're All Forgiven"
I know a few of those artists but I honestly can't recall any of those specific songs offhand aside from "Same Thing."
― Police, Academy (cryptosicko), Monday, 23 July 2018 03:14 (six years ago) link
the first jason falkner solo album is also top notch
― Arch Bacon (rushomancy), Monday, 23 July 2018 03:21 (six years ago) link
there's a KEXP version of Twisteralla I've watched at least a dozen times, what a band what a song. (Wouldn't consider it power pop though??)
― rip van wanko, Monday, 23 July 2018 03:22 (six years ago) link
by the way he took the '90s off but the toms put another record out last year and it's fucking great
― Arch Bacon (rushomancy), Monday, 23 July 2018 03:26 (six years ago) link
I saw the Sugarplastic once in the '90s - they seemed like an actual power pop band.
― timellison, Monday, 23 July 2018 03:28 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8HVyrkwc88
― InfoWarriors (Spottie), Monday, 23 July 2018 05:58 (six years ago) link
90s power pop I like (not in any order): Spongetones, Sneetches, Perspex Whiteout, Teenage Fanclub, Posies, Velvet Crush, Fountains of Wayne
didn't really like Buffalo Tom. Gigolo Aunts were OK
― Colonel Poo, Monday, 23 July 2018 08:24 (six years ago) link
Velvet Crush's first two albums are essentialhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqD6Z8KYUGw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHSMg0oGsII
― PaulTMA, Monday, 23 July 2018 09:52 (six years ago) link
I've never really been able to get into Matthew Sweet or Redd Kross bar a few songs here and there.
― Gavin, Leeds, Monday, 23 July 2018 10:44 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKsxO9FfxLg
― Hazy Maze Cave (Adam Bruneau), Monday, 23 July 2018 16:59 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRHBMypKSFQ
― ... (Eazy), Monday, 23 July 2018 17:20 (six years ago) link
Velvet Crush's first two albums are essential📹📹
― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 31 July 2018 12:20 (six years ago) link
Gentle Breeze ended up recorded again on the fourth album though
Could never get into Heavy Changes. Found them sometimes good but not so great after Teen Symphonies
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 31 July 2018 12:54 (six years ago) link
Not mentioned and underrated: Chainsaw Kittens
― Eliza D., Tuesday, 31 July 2018 14:45 (six years ago) link
Gentle Breeze ended up recorded again on the fourth album thoughCould never get into Heavy Changes. Found them sometimes good but not so great after Teen Symphonies
― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 31 July 2018 19:47 (six years ago) link
It's a bit better than I remember it. Listening to Heavy Changes again today and it's just so bland, dunno what happened
― PaulTMA, Tuesday, 31 July 2018 19:57 (six years ago) link
I always post Mayflies USA on power pop threads becz their first two albums are some of my favorites from the '90s/'00s and they never got a lot of attention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZhmS0zWwM
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, 31 July 2018 20:11 (six years ago) link
Frisbie! I remember buying that record based on a breathless review on salon.com
For me their bid for power pop immortality is Vertigogo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7v0y0o0kVc
― kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 31 July 2018 23:59 (six years ago) link
"Might Be Right" by White Reaper might be in my all time top ten. Has any power pop song in recent years come close, or eclipsed it? I'd love to know.
― i will FP you and your entire family (rip van wanko), Friday, 15 May 2020 22:47 (four years ago) link
powerbump
― i will FP you and your entire family (rip van wanko), Wednesday, 20 May 2020 16:58 (four years ago) link
it's really, really good.
i'm gonna go looking for some recent tunes that i think are in the same ballpark. i'll be back!
― alpine static, Wednesday, 20 May 2020 17:11 (four years ago) link
that whole album (all 29 mins of it) kills imo, as does the previous one
― k*r*n koltrane (Simon H.), Wednesday, 20 May 2020 17:12 (four years ago) link
In the meantime, this recently compiled mix by one of my favorite music websites is an absolute treasure trove of garage-y power-pop:
http://www.ravensingstheblues.com/mixtape-young-hearts-unite/
― alpine static, Wednesday, 20 May 2020 17:15 (four years ago) link
for recent stuff, I absolutely love the Number Ones (from Dublin), this is the lead track from their last single, they haven't released that much recently but are still active afaik:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svYD_siFuXw
this is my fave song off their album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJdW9-urUk
they are a lot of fun live
― Colonel Poo, Wednesday, 20 May 2020 17:30 (four years ago) link
I'm not sure if powerpop is exclusively a boys club, but this song by The Beths seems to fit the genre pretty well:
https://thebethsnz.bandcamp.com/track/lying-in-the-sun
― enochroot, Thursday, 21 May 2020 00:45 (four years ago) link