AllShookDown - I agree with your take on PowerPop being instantly familiar. I guess I think “All for Swinging you Around” and a couple of others off the NP’s Electric Version got stuck in my head that easily. This must be one of those times when the devil is in the details.
and percypercy - yeah, it has turned out to be great source for me, too.
And I want to put in another plug for:
I dug it, and people who frequent this thread probably will, too…
I imagine power pop to be more electronic than guitar based to be honest.
Hmm - typed up a response and the darm message board went wacky. grumble, grumble
Anyway - in brief
The Griffin - YMMV - there certainly is no set definition of the phrase. I think of it as well-structured and produced pop with a guitar edge, but that’s me. There is this Rhino collection - DIY: Come Out and Play - American Power Pop Classics:
That seems to support this line of thinking, but what do I know? By the way, has anyone bought this CD? Seems good, based on contents and reviews…
And Hugh Jass? - bit Smithereens fan here. Hadn’t thought of them as Power Pop, per se - simply because they tend to have rawer production. Having said that, you’re right, and I would add Yesterday Girl and Top of the Pops and strong entries, too. Great stuff.
Actually, yes. “Blues Before And After” and “A Girl Like You”.
For the sake of all that is decent and good, those of you mentioning Big Star in reverent tones should make your way pronto to the nearest quality record store and pick some CD’s by The Loud Family. It’s some of the most intelligently written power pop the world has been graced with, both in song and in lyric.
I like all their albums, but the two most essential would be - ‘Plants And Birds And Rocks And Things’, and ‘Interbabe Concern’. ‘The Tape Of Only Linda’ is pretty damn swell as well.
I pimp this band whenever appropriate, as they’re criminally unknown. Actually the driving force behind the band is a gentleman named Scott Miller. The rest of the members change over the different albums. Prior to The Loud Family, Miller headed up the also little known Game Theory.
While Miller’s bands are largely unheard, they are downright legendary amongst those who have heard them. Until you’ve heard the earlier Loud Family releases a few times through, your power pop education is incomplete.
Hmm… I think Lapdog might fall under the power pop category. They are led by Toad the Wet Sprocket’s (my favorite band ever) former guitarist.
The only songs they currently have up are the ones they’ve released each christmas for the past few years. Their cover of The Kinks’ song Father Christmas is the only one that can really be appreciated when it’s not around December, but they’re all great songs.
Chalk up another couple of votes for the Smithereens and Material Issue. Love 'em.
Also I’m surprised Samantha 7 hasn’t gotten a mention here. Their debut album has hooks for days, especially with great tunes like “I Wanna Be Famous,” “Slave Laura,” and “Framed.” Think Cheap Trick crossed with the Ramones, I recommend checking it out.
My brothers!
Jeez, and I thought I was the only person who listened to these bands.
Can I just give another extra push to:
Supergrass
XTC
Grandaddy
and another “you buy this…NOW!” for:
Big Star
Jellyfish
Since this has been revived, I’ll add my props for San Francisco duo Mates of State. I’d forgotten how much I loved them.