Just discovered today! Simnple rock and roll is the best rock and roll!
There isn't an element that stands out from any other. It all just fits together. Well crafted with various hooks and catchy chorus, reminds me a little bit of 10cc at times, but isn't as complex.
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There are some bands that have a formula for their music. Which can make it good or make it bad bad. In this instance, The Jags never fail to hit the mark
If you wanted to start listening to Power Pop, this British band from Scarborough formed in 1978 would be a good start.
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You Don't know what you got, until it's gone. In the late 70s I was way into the Punk scene, that anything on the radio was substandard. With those days gone, I miss the well crafted tunes that I over looked. Sure, the hits that played were so heavy in rotation that you never needed to stay glued to the radio dial. Who would have thought that Yacht Rock would even be a thing?
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Just discovered recently, even though I may have had it laying about. So this starts out with a long intro, to the point that I thought this might have been an instrumental. A bit of a rhythmic reggae beat with some bright guitar work. I am so glad I let this run. It is absolutley fantastic! So may time changes and layered genres, a Power Pop Masterpiece!
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With only a handful of single to their name, this song is fantastic! This is one is highly recommended. It has the whiny vocals, the dead drums, the infectious bass line, A Power Pop masterpiece. It's borderline Punk and could be labeled as Punk Pop.
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This song is on two lists of music that were a part of my musical character. The first, the Soundtrack to Valley Girl. What an epic collection of music. Secondly, it's part of the Exposed family, in specific Exposed II.
This song is a fine example of something I would have easily ignored because of the rock music I was too focused on.
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Give It A Listen!
Raw, pure energy at it's finest. Never released as a studio version, I came across this epic song from a band ouf the UK. I did some digging and the original bass player that was replaced by Sid Vicious, Glen Matlock. Also a member is none other than Midge Ure from Ultravox. There was a holy grail of punk rock music that was made for me that became the soundtrack of what was to become part of my younger brother and myself lives. If I was to create another, this song would be on it.
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Truly a musical genius and lyical mastermind, Paul McCartney is a legend. From the early days with The Beatles, to his solo work, his brilliance can be heard. Whether it is Paul McCartney "&" Wings or just Wings, it doesn't matter, Sir Paul is a music machine.Here is one of my faves,
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Nice It A Listen!
THE KINGS OF POWER POP! The Romantics, the first two albums I could listen to, front to back and enjoy every song. I have had the privledge to see these guys 7 times. I remembers seeing these guys at the iconic "Palms" in Milwaukee. Solid, tight and entertaining. The 1977 song Little White Lies was just rereleased with a little song called "What I Like About You". From their self-titled release, "Keep In Touch"
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An awesome Power Pop band out of Detriot other than "The Romantics"? I did not know that. It has that whole Johnny Kidd And The Pirates "Shakin' All Over" feel to it. Is has that bluesy rock sound along with bright guitar and that prominent bass line.
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Genuine Power Pop from a unknown powerhouse, unknown to me at least. Along the lines of Flash In The Pan and Off Broadway, this band has mnay songs that are truly amazing and I am certain more of these with trickle on this blog. Enjoy the Power Pop gem.
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This one is nothing special but has a great T. Rex meets Shaun Cassidy feel to it. May be it's the hammond organs or "The Cars" feeling this song has. I do beleive if "The Crs" dis this song it would have been huge.
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With bands like Foghat, Head East, REO Speedwagon, Journey etc...in heavy radio rotation, many bands went unnoticed. And this band Vitesse, is one of them. Weird name, weird album cover, but nonethe less, I found this one and it's amazing. The guitar work is phenomenal, the vocals harmonic and pleasant.
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Another song from another band from Ireland that set the bar for what other songs are measured. It's raw, gritty, imperfect and emotional. It's innocence in nature is what makes this a true punk classic. A punk version of Manfred Mann's Doo Wah Diddy Diddy if you want a comparison. This song moved John Peel to tears....allegdely.
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A bit on the campy, over the top side but side deserving of a post here. This band originated from Ireland and I recently discovered this Power Pop gem. This tune is very reminiscent of The Banana Splits theme at times but has some raw guitar and vocals bring this all together. This is a little harder than most Power Pop tunes border lining on the edge of Punk.
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Very Obscure band from Moorhead Minnesota. I tried to dig up some info and can tell you these guys were also known as The Newz. This is a playful Power Pop song taken from the infamous Peel Session shows from John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show. Some many hidden gems. I had to share this. I am sharing the entire Peel Session, the song I am highlighting is the second one in. It's may seem a bit campy, but musically sound.
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This is Good Old Fashioned Rock And Roll. I can't recall when or where I heard this song, but I do remember enjoying it. This was at a time were I was musically buried with Mtv and Post Punk and New Wave, and Kiss and Queen as well as my garduation year. It's simple, melodic and full of hooks.
Give It A Listen!
Give It A Listen@
I always thought these guys were a little 'out of the box' and thought Fee Waybill is a little goofy. I can honestly say I never really gave them a chance, and that still holds to this day. I can say that their hits are spectacular. I recall seeing this on Mtv as well as a local band Milwaukee band called "Smart Aleck" doing a cover of this.
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The playfulness and innocence of the Power Pop genre never fails. Thoughts of happier times and a carefree spirit is quite the change of pace form the real world. This is quite the rare one as it was recorded in 1980 but wasn't released until 2018. It has a flavor of XTC, as well as The Buzzcocks.
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I am not a huge 'progressice' rick fan. Every once and a while I hear a song that is so well done it 'breaks' my way pf thinking. Like Electric Light Orchestra, The Alan Parsons Project uses a mixture of guitar and string, albeit synthesized, and creates masterpeices of audio pleasure.
This takes me back to the days of my older brother's good hearted friend, Larry Larry did follow what was popular, nor did he care. Hanging around with Larry was my first tatse of Styx, Rush and The Alan Parsons Project.
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I first heard this song woring in a Screw Machine shop in South Milwaukee. WMSE had a weekly alternative music countdown that I would listen to religiously. That countdown opened my ears up to more of the obscure music that wasn't mainstream. It wasn't long after Mtv was made available in the area and the video blew me away. It was an artistic production that fit perfectly with the eerie and melodic track.
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There aren't too many ballads that I enjoy, but this is one of them. I have seen Alice Cooper 7 times because I enjoy his showmanship as well as his music. Alice was also a person that had his problems shared with the media. We knew he had some marital issues as well as a problem with alcohol. I imagined this song as he wrote it to his wife while in rehab. Not sure if that was the case, but it will always hold a special place in my audio memory. From The Inside was such an increible album. The songs were had intricate and melodic as well as a lyrical masterpiece thanks to the collaboration of Bernie Taupin.
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Another newly discovered Power Pop gem. What I like about Power pop is that it embraces innocence and fun. It's happy and full of life.
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Another incredible find! A power pop gem that rivals the likes of The Vapors. The Vapors were done quite the injustice by releasing Turning Japanese. It's pure shite. The reast of that album Nuclear Days, ...brilliant. So when I compare this to The Vapors, it the highest compliment I can assign to a Power Pop band. THis is so very well done and just discovered today!
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When I first heard this I thought it was John Waite from The Babys. This one was in slight rotation during the best years of Mtv in the early 80s. Even with it's very simply written melody, it's a great example of how less is more. Over all the self titled release is a true treasure and deserves a listen.
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For me, Punk Rock doesn't get any better than this. This entire album is a masterpeice. I had the priledge to see X perform in Milwaukee at The Starship in 1981. X is both iconic, and legenday, and to see them in a small imitimate club on North 5th street. We were no more than 5 feet away. They played two nights and we went to both of them.
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I will admit, this wasn't for me when this was released. I never even heard of it in 1980, or him for that matter. I was listening to X, and the Plasmatics. I shunned stuff like this. Poppy diddys that were happy and bright.
I am sure glad that my moned opened up to nearly any kind of music. There is so much out there, and I have grown to appreciate the Power Pop genre.
This was done so well and even though it more Pop than Power, it deserves to be here.
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Finding a Power Pop gem is like going back in time for me. I just heard this one for the first time today. It has such an upbeat feel that is seems almost familair.
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When I was in school, I remember, it have been in Circus magazine, but there was a phone number you could call and hear up and coming artists. This was one of the songs I remember hearing and it simply blew me away. Back when Toto hits the scene in 1978 with Hold The Line, I got a taste of something well crafted and meticulously produced. Granted, bands like Queen were engineered with mutliple layers, and innovative stereo techniques that were pure musical production craftsmenship genius. So when bands use studio production to their benefit, it really makes a difference. This was one of those gems that I knew was going to hit the radio music scene well before it was made available. It never burned the charts as I thought it would, making it to #26 on Billboards Top 100, but I loved it
Give it A Listen!
Give It A Listen!
In my opinion, The Romantics are the kings of Power Pop. I cn't think of a song by them that I do not like. I have seems them about 5 times and these rockers from Detroit never disappoint.
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Just heard this one today, and it's Power Pop at it's finest. Very reminiscent of The Sorrows.
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Where the hell was this treasure hiding? Just found this today. Love this! What a fantastic song! Simple, melodic, full of hooks and depth. Straight out of London here is Department S@
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There's nothing too special about this song. I like the feel and the subtle Supertramp vibe of this recently discovered gem.
Give It A Listen!
Give It A Listen!
