indy mike's "pick ONE favorite tune" topic: Power Pop

Don't forget "The Life of Riley"

A masterpiece.

 

Yeah, I'll also go with something from the Lightning Seeds and Supergrass. What about the La's? Is that Power Pop?

 

I third "The Life of Riley." And the La's are most definitely Power Pop IMO!

 

Yeah, those Opry folks'll pick yer pockets clean - all that they need is a casino license, and the transaction would be complete! I did manage a sidetrip to Tower to hit their 25% off sale - I didn't buy any power pop, but did get SH's Zombies SACD (not toooo far offa the thread's mark), one of the Bear Fambly That'll Flat Git It series (about the third Decca volume - pickins are mighty slim on that one - betcha Marty S. would like alla those Bear RAB digital drink coasters), and a Gumby video (great for watching with the sound turned down while listening to power pop as the soundtrack)!

 

Everything's Different Now--Til Tuesday.

Paul

 

Just a couple more:

Tommy Keene - Babyface

Jellyfish - That Is Why

Artful Dodger - Wayside

Letters To Cleo - Here And Now

Nine Days - Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)

American Hi Fi - Flavor Of The Weak

 

Speaking of Supergrass, "Sun Hits The Sky" is a hidden treasure!

 

The Opry Mills Tower (the one that's 100 yards from the new Grand Ole Opry house) is where half my yearly income goes. I live about ten miles away from there.

 

"Working To Hard" - Paul Collins Beat from their S/T release.

 

For me iw would be a tie between:

Go All The Way - Raspberries
Good Girls Don't - Knack

 

Indie Mike's selection of the Polaroidz put me in the mind of the Southeast's equiv--the White Animals. These Nashville power-poppers roamed the earth mainly thorugh the 80s, but I heard them in the early days at Cantrell's in Music City when they often covered Carl Perkins and had more rockabilly sound. They eventually cut several LPs (receiving rave reviews from Steve Semmels at Sereo Review--maybe the kiss of death), and began bending their jangly power pop with reggae beats--notorious for their dub rave-up of "These Boots Were Made for Walkin'." Lead singer/guitarist Kevin Gray was legendary as a "girl magnet" and for dropping out of med school at Vandy to pursue a career with the band!

He is now Dr. Kevin Gray, based in Dallas, but in true rock-and-roll fashion, Kev and the Animals have regrouped in Nashville, have a new CD out and are touring some.

My pick: White Animals original, "Constant Attention."

Below, a set list from this past July:

You Started Somethin'
Move
Boots
Constant Attention
Broken and Lonely
Little Hollywood
Steppin' Stone
Big Shot/What We All Want
This Girl Of Mine
X
Future Girl
I Can't Give You Anything
Goodnight And Goodbye
Don't Care

 

Possibly my favorite genre. Let's see,

"Manic Monday" The Bangles, can't get enough of this song.

Also "American Squirm", Nick Lowe, love the lyrics on this one: "Tried to mate in a horrible state" (supposedly New Jersey, this song is, again supposedly, based on a true experience that Nick had with a female fan either before or after a gig in Pasaaic, apologies to any New Jerseyites).

Long live the power of pop!!

Jeff

 

I know some of these have been mentioned before but these are some of my all time faves in the power pop genre.

Middle Of The Road-The Pretenders(One of Chrissie's best songs and a showcase for Robbie McIntosh's lead playing)

No Matter What-Badfinger(Just an all around great song and performance!)

Helen Wheels-Paul McCartney & Wings(One of Paul's greatest and most underrated rockers. I play this one loud whenever it's on!)

Go All The Way-The Raspberries(What can be said about this song that hasn't already been said?)

When The King Is Half Undressed-Jellyfish(Dammit, these guy's should have been a lot more successful!!! A brilliant group with great songs!)

Connection-Elastica(One of the best singles of the '90's IMHO, great hook in this one!)

Seether-Veruca Salt(Basically a one hit wonder, but who cares? Great record)

Song 2-Blur(Brit Power Pop at it's best!)

Here In Your Bedroom-Goldfinger(A bizarre mixture of ska, metal, and pop. Totally infectious!!!)

Cannonball-The Breeders(Another slightly odd song that's irresistable!)

 

Mike that's my favorite Bangles song too!!! I met Susanna Hoffs a few years ago and she autographed my picture sleeve for "Hero Takes A Fall". She's even cuter in person!

 

The La's and Lightning Seeds are great examples! How about:

-"Feed the Tree" - Belly (excellent album, "Star")
-"Fighter" - Frogpond (excellent album, "Safe Ride Home")

Has anyone heard the Beatlesque power pop of The Kennedys?

 

Post Punk Power Pop is my favorite music.

This is an impossible post. So much. So good.

I'm with Reechie - Argybargy is probably Power Pop nirvana.

Casino - Crash & Burn is my fave Bangles song. What a great way to close your last album.

Jimbo - you are the man. Looks like we have the same record collection. I've seen Blotto live three times.

Okay, I can't pick just one. So I'll pick two. And if you ask me again tomorrow, I'll pick two different ones.

See Those Eyes - Altered Images. Shimmery instruments. Sexy vocals. Driving beat. Soaring melody.

Back of My Hand - Jags. Costello rip off? Sure. But you can't beat this tune for a tightly written PP tune. No fat. Just meat.

-BZync

 

Hell, everybody's posting a zillion - I'll break my rule and list another: The Kings' Switch Into Glide/This Beat Goes On: ab-so-loot powerpopperfection (say, there's the title for our dream SH mastered set)!!!!

 

Downtown had a better selection (for my wacky taste - far more garage band/RAB action). However, the mall store had two Acoustic Sounds Creedence SACD's - better grab 'em!

 

First off......for IndyMike....."THEY SAID IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY............." Sorry, I had to do it. Happy Birthday again big brother.

God, this thread is gonna be a tough one to jump in on. Kool Ray & The Polaroidz.....I missed 'em barely at Purdue, but I still get the large black disc out from time to time and groove on them (or the CD I burned if'n I'm in the truckster).

Being that my teens were spent in the 80's, I have a soft spot for several of the pop type tunes of the time. First concert I ever saw was Styx at Purdue with the "Kilroy Was Here" tour. Opening tune was a true product of the 80's...."Mr. Roboto"......zoikes. Later on caught The Pretenders at Purdue on the "Learning To Crawl" tour. That made "Middle Of The Road" a fav for all times. I can still listen to that tune over and over. I've seen The Bangles mentioned on this thread and I do have to agree with their merits as well. I saw them perform at Purdue too...from the 7th row. Mighty fine view from the "not so cheap, but free" seats. Mini skirts were really moving that night. I also saw John Cougar Mellencamp a few times in the 80's too.....I can hear "Jack & Diane", "Rumbleseat", and "I Need A Lover" any time (plus I'll accept hearing the Pat Benatar version of that tune too).


To nail down one specific all time fav "Power Pop" tune.....I'd have to go with The Pretenders "Time The Avenger". Until I think about it some more.........

 

Grant - I am totally with you on this one. That song was slightly before me, but I caught onto it when it was used as a sample on Paul's Boutique. Immediately sought it out and loved it ever since. The definition of Power Pop should be expanded to include this one, if only as an exception. "Smokes" is an understatement.

 

WOW there are some interesting interpretations of the phrase "power pop" going down here!

I'd have never thought of Graham Parker's new wave interpretation of a motown song as qualifying, but hey, it just shows how meaningless categorization can be!

At the risk of monotony I will also go with No Matter What although it sure as hell wasn't called power pop at the time.......and outside of the States possibly still isn't!

 

Almost picked this one. It definitely is the definition of Power Pop. I have to go with "Baby Blue" by Badfinger. Power Pop perfection. I particularly love the ending.

 

I couldn't make up my mind which Badfinger song to choose, but I love this one too. Especially the US 45 mix!!!

 

The Records - Starry Eyes
Big Star - Back of a Car
The Pernice Brothers - Crestfallen
Nirvana - Son of a Gun (Vaselines cover)

Chris

 

Feels Like The First Time-Foreigner
Isn't It Time-The Babys
Hot Blooded-Foreigner
Bambi-Prince
Lady-Styx
Come Sail Away-Styx
Barracuda-Heart