POWERPOP - We need to talk about it RIGHT NOW.

[hypehat]

So yesterday I read this,

http://www.avclub.com/articles/a-beginners-guide-through-the-heyday-of-powerpop-1,86527/

And I am all about POWERPOP again (probably thanks to strong coffee) but I need all the recommendations you have. All of them.

For example, this is my jam right now.

The Romantics - What I Like About You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jvHKjDKY_O8

and this,
The Boyfriends - I'm In Love Today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98ankke6WlE

Also listened to the Shoes album they mention in that article and hot damn.

Also, I love Raspberries, Big Star, Todd, etc.

But, my fellow Americans, ask not what your powerpop can do for you, but what you can do for your powerpop - Give me things to listen to!

[Lowbacca]

And I am all about POWERPOP again (probably thanks to strong coffee) but I need all the recommendations you have. All of them.

I know that feel, bro. 

As for my recommendations:

Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend & 100% Fun
Jellyfish - Spilt Milk & Bellybutton
Marshall Crenshaw - Marshall Crenshaw


Plus basically anything from Fountains of Wayne (!!), Big Star, Weezer (obviously) and a little band called Wondermints.  Oh, and maybe try the Raspberries, too. 

[RBennett123]

SUPERDRAG!! Awesome underrated power pop band. Their album In the Valley Of Dying Stars is my favorite.

[Vega-Table Man]

Track down an album by Bill Lloyd (once of Foster & Lloyd) called Set to Pop.

[I. Spaceman]

Redd Kross.
Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action

[guitarfool2002]

SUPERDRAG!! Awesome underrated power pop band. Their album In the Valley Of Dying Stars is my favorite.

That album is one of my all-time favorites, the songwriting and performances are incredible.

[kwan_dk]

I have only one thing to say: The Rubinoos. Everything by them.

And speaking of power pop, here's a 70s power pop inspired tune by the group I'm in:

http://surfschooldropouts.bandcamp.com/track/run-away

[EgoHanger1966]

The Rubinoos - favorite power pop band. Nice guys, too. You really need EVERYTHING by this band. I'll help you out if you want specific reccomendations or if you just can't find something.

The Innocents (aka Beathoven) from Tasmania also have some solid, solid stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du2K81JvCbM

Also:

The Red Button
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A0t-4z5lPU

Ouch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47vThL9kHP4

[Aum Bop Diddit]

Redd Kross.
Flamin' Groovies - Shake Some Action

Love all Flamin' Groovies and all the Sire stuff is wonderful Beatles/Stones/Byrdsesque at its best while still being original, but "Shake Some Action" is simply one of the 5 greatest rock and roll albums of all time.  Maybe top 3. Or....

Rhino released a terrific comp called "Poptopia" in the mid-90s, broken down into a 70s, 80s, and 90s disc.  Love them and still listen to them all the time.

Top 5 Power Pop "singles" off the top of my head:

"I'm on Fire" -- Dwight Twilley Band
"September Gurls" -- Big Star
"Shake Some Action" -- Flamin' Groovies
"Whenever You're on My Mind" -- Marshall Crenshaw
"No Matter What" -- Badfinger

[rn57]

Plimsouls and Tommy Keene....

[Danimalist]

ABD has got many of my faves on his list. A lot of power pop is just too sticky sweet for me; the best power pop, pops but also rocks. Try these (many of which I'm sure you've heard):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voKihZAN4ng (from verse to catchiest chorus in the shortest time!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xoke1wUwEXY (none better)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7aoWX8ENT0 (a little bit edgier and better live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TUepa0yfyw (how was this not a massive hit?)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlzzCSVCqOc (fantastic single)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ (80s power pop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsPKKuQmJJQ (I'll take this over September Gurls)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WTjBdRtM2U (tough call between this and their cover of Katrina's song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_ByEAACok (really fun debut album)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsP4PGWqaZM (battle of the retro clothes with the next band)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgdgptaBma8 (one freakishly talented, if insanely derivative, band)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRlBOUs6PkU (old friends, but Noel loves 'em too)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eERZYhox110 (only discovered these guys fairly recently; really should have been huge...I mean Rod Stewart was!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffRTp1YTa0s (their ignored third album had a couple of great power pop songs)

I'll probably post more since you just took up a good chunk of my Friday night!

[Danimalist]

Plimsouls and Tommy Keene....

Crap, forgot the Plimsouls and Tommy Keene.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIxgBMNhsKU (Eddie once saw me play this live...it was embarrasing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_1fyj2CoFU (loved this EP)

[Danimalist]

Lesser known but great stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aymSfT7bz8w (one of the few cds someone ever sent me unrequested that I actually liked!)

Two of the best powerpop albums ever, and by lesser known bands:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2p85Xt3QcI (not the best song on the album, by far, but all I could find on youtube)

And THE ALBUM YOU MUST HEAR IF YOU HAVEN'T:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxxhGePwa68

[Danimalist]

And can't forget Puffy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQPcXzvq7Rs (first single, sounding a LOT like ELO)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVShbxb87Q (play count the power pop references)


OK...that's all...for now...I promise.

[rn57]

RRA1's faves NRBQ have done some highly powerpoppy songs, the best known being on their Yankee Stadium and Tiddlywinks albums.

[Mark H]

And can't forget Puffy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQPcXzvq7Rs (first single, sounding a LOT like ELO)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVShbxb87Q (play count the power pop references)


OK...that's all...for now...I promise.

Love Puffy!

Speaking of ex Jellyfish (Andy Sturmer being the 'Phil Spector' of a lot of Puffy's stuff) check out Roger Joseph Manning Jr's 2 albums and also Jason Falkner's  

[Alex]

Barenaked Ladies have had a few halfway decent powerpop tunes on their last few albums (though they're mainly known for their folky-sounding joke songs).


It's All Been Done-Huge Hit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3xXlXSOKk

Too Little Too Late
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMKr92cGOUo

Maybe Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk7UHL4OJpg

Maybe Not
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2508pPY78u0

It's Only Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3woCrJgJebU

Down to Earth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFcT-p7VCd4

Running Out of Ink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJQX6F27ihU


And don't forget Teenage Fanclub:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tENat-9HD5k

[meltedwhiskeyinmyhand]

SUPERDRAG!! Awesome underrated power pop band. Their album In the Valley Of Dying Stars is my favorite.

Great, great, great band. Head Trip in Every Key is a masterpiece!

Sold You an Alibi - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8BwBjsZp8&feature=related

Hellbent - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt8IOx1UcHQ

Do the Vampire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34u4S04fDYE&feature=related

Mr Underground - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg3D89JS9LU&feature=related

[cablegeddon]

mommy's alright, daddy's alright, surrender!

[Mike's Beard]

I was listening to Big Star today. It's hard to believe that their albums were made in the early to mid 70's, they sound like they came much, much later.

[donb720]

Yup.
RUBINOOS.
Definitely.

[I. Spaceman]

The thing that so many "power pop" bands missed out on is the "power" part of the equation. There has to be churning, loud guitars and powerful drums to make it. Things like The Rubinoos, that is just bull**it pop music, glorified Shaun Cassidy.

[Alan Smith]

The dB's

[?]

Have you heard any Subvision?  I really dig them...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4juhw4soJ-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pksoOtG6DXY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWLxCCePpPo

[EgoHanger1966]

The thing that so many "power pop" bands missed out on is the "power" part of the equation. There has to be churning, loud guitars and powerful drums to make it. Things like The Rubinoos, that is just bull**it pop music, glorified Shaun Cassidy.

I can see where you are coming from, but the artists labeled as "pop" starting around the mid-to-late 70s turn people off - so groups like the Rubinoos brought back some of the old school pop sounds during a time of Debby Boone, disco, and Helen Reddy. I guess you could call it power-pop-lite.