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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: HOF on April 13, 2021, 10:12:44 PM
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Inspired partially by Mike Portnoy appearing on The Sea of Tranquility to discuss his 5 favorite power pop albums. Pretty fun listen and a good intro to the genre:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3TPuYKnKz53-L5tRlVnjpybb3gR4080NE28TNjjUOCgLgRWM3oQdF05rw&v=-hZhSZQqUSU&feature=youtu.be
I imagine everyone has their own definition of power pop, but I sort of think of it as shorter, catchy songs with a lot of melody and harmony (IOW like the Beatles) but also a somewhat aggressive rock or maybe a punk edge (but not necessarily hard rock or metal).
I’m actually not super familiar with the bigger names in the genre like Big Star, Badfinger, or Todd Rundgren. I also have only heard a few Jellyfish songs (they’re on my “I’ll get into them some day” list). But I do really like that sort of sound and a good number of bands I like dabble in that style. Some of the bands discussed here that I dig to varying degrees include XTC, Matthew Sweet, Ben Folds, Jughead (Ty Tabor has a lot of stuff that fits), Adrian Belew, The Cars, Weezer. I checked out the New England album they mentioned, and that’s pretty fun.
I would also include a band like Crowded House in that category to some extent. There’s a band from Scotland called The Pearlfishers who make fantastic Beatles-ish pop who I really love. Not sure they are quite rocking enough to fit the power pop label.
There’s good bit of overlap with alternative rock probably. I’ve seen The Gin Blossoms put in that category. Not sure I’d agree but they are a band I grew up loving. Stone Temple Pilots have a bit of that sound at times. Jimmy Eat World are another band that might fit. Then you have a number of classic rock acts like Cheap Trick or even The Who who I’ve heard described as power pop (Pete Townsend reportedly coined the term).
Anyway, who else here is into this kind of stuff?
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You should definitely check out Jellyfish, like asap. They live up to their hype.
2 bands I enjoy, that are somewhat popular among the college/alternative/indie crowd from the 2000's:
The Apples in Stereo
The New Pornographers
New Magnetic Wonder and any of the 1st 4 TNP's records I would recommend.
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I'm a huge Weezer and pop fan in general (probably moreso than prog or metal at this point) though I'm not sure how much would fall into the "power-pop" category. I tend to either like the straight pop, pop-punk, or alternative leaning genres but power-pop just isn't I've really latched onto.
My unpopular Weezer opinion - Blue and Pinkerton are extremely overrated and not nearly as good as some of their later albums.
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That is a very unpopular take on Weezer.
Fountains Of Wayne
The Knack
The posies
XTC
Squeeze
Mathew Sweet
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I'm not very familiar with prominent names in 'power pop', but I dig the first 4 Cheap Trick albums and first two Weezer albums. My Name is Jonas is my fave Weezer song and Surrender Cheap Trick's.
Another power pop-related guy worth checking out: Jeff Rosenstock (album WORRY.)
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I think Ty Tabor’s Moonflower Lane album is a really good album in the power pop vein. I think that’s one of the first things (along with the Jughead album) that I recall hearing described as power pop, so it’s kind of a touchstone of the genre for me. Ty also sounds a good bit like Matthew Sweet vocally, who was one of the other early examples I was aware of.
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My unpopular Weezer opinion - Blue and Pinkerton are extremely overrated and not nearly as good as some of their later albums.
Buddy Holly vs. Beverly Hills? Pick a tune. :biggrin:
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I love, love, LOVE the Gin Blossoms—the combination of that Byrds-meets-Big Star sound with Robin Wilson's voice is just money all day long.
I would add to this list The Counting Crows. They have a pretty stellar catalog in my opinion, with their last (Somewhere Under Wonderland) being in their top-three as far as I'm concerned.
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I love, love, LOVE the Gin Blossoms—the combination of that Byrds-meets-Big Star sound with Robin Wilson's voice is just money all day long.
I would add to this list The Counting Crows. They have a pretty stellar catalog in my opinion, with their last (Somewhere Under Wonderland) being in their top-three as far as I'm concerned.
Big fan of both. Wasn’t sure about including The Counting Crows. Not sure either have that strong harmony element I usually look for, but those two made some great pop rock albums at any rate. Maybe some of the later Counting Crows stuff fits better actually (thinking of the Hard Candy album and songs like Butterfly in Reverse). Jangle pop is another term that might be applied to those bands.
I haven’t heard that most recent Counting Crows album. Should check it out.
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My unpopular Weezer opinion - Blue and Pinkerton are extremely overrated and not nearly as good as some of their later albums.
I agree with kingshmegland. That is indeed an unpopular opinion. ;D I personally love Maladroit and Green about as much as I love Blue, though. But as much as I like quite a lot of their "newer" stuff as well, the first four are the big four in my opinion. No band ever kicked off a career with four excellent albums.
I watched that video on Sea of Tranquility last night. Of all the mentioned band, I have only listened to Weezer and Jellyfish. It's apparent to me that Badfinger, Cheap Trick and The Cars are considered classics, so I'll have to check them out at some point.
I am not sure which other bands from my repertoir would qualify as power pop, honestly. Rooney is one of my favorite bands, if they fall under the category. I am also an enormous fan of the groups that make up The Elephant Six collective, but I'd place most of them under indie rock or psychadelic pop. SoundscapeMN mentioned the legendary The Apples in Stereo, though, so maybe some groups could find their place on the lists in this thread.
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Of the newer Weezer albums I do love Everything Will Be Alright in the End and The White Album.
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Fountains Of Wayne
my wife is a HUGE fan of theirs, so by extension I have become 1. Also the fact Adam Schlesinger produced the last 2 Monkees albums (which she is an enormous lifer fan), added to the appreciation. Adam's passing last year still really stings, but he left a ton of great music behind him including FoW and stuff like That Thing You Do soundtrack which would fall under Power Pop.
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fun.'s first album Aim and Ignite is fantastic tbh
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Fountains Of Wayne
my wife is a HUGE fan of theirs, so by extension I have become 1. Also the fact Adam Schlesinger produced the last 2 Monkees albums (which she is an enormous lifer fan), added to the appreciation. Adam's passing last year still really stings, but he left a ton of great music behind him including FoW and stuff like That Thing You Do soundtrack which would fall under Power Pop.
Real heartbreaking to lose him.
Another that might surprise you is Hanson. In the 2010's they have written some great pop tunes. Speaking of FOW and Hanson. Ever hear of this one of Super group?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1acLwi-jos
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Another that might surprise you is Hanson. In the 2010's they have written some great pop tunes. Speaking of FOW and Hanson. Ever hear of this one of Super group?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1acLwi-jos
Woah, that song is great fun! James Iha!
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You should definitely check out Jellyfish, like asap. They live up to their hype.
Well I found a cheap copy of Bellybutton on Discogs (as well as XTC's Skylarking which I've been meaning to get for a long time too), so there you go!
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My unpopular Weezer opinion - Blue and Pinkerton are extremely overrated and not nearly as good as some of their later albums.
Buddy Holly vs. Beverly Hills? Pick a tune. :biggrin:
I choose Living In LA ;)
Of the newer Weezer albums I do love Everything Will Be Alright in the End and The White Album.
EWBAITE is their masterpiece imo. Lots of a good stuff on White too
My unpopular Weezer opinion - Blue and Pinkerton are extremely overrated and not nearly as good as some of their later albums.
I agree with kingshmegland. That is indeed an unpopular opinion. ;D I personally love Maladroit and Green about as much as I love Blue, though. But as much as I like quite a lot of their "newer" stuff as well, the first four are the big four in my opinion. No band ever kicked off a career with four excellent albums.
Green is incredible and Maladroit has a lot of good stuff, but isn't one of my favorites. I'm actually really liking OK Human and I may be the only one who admits to thinking Black is incredibly solid. Blue and Pinkerton fall really short for me, though El Scorcho and The Good Life are favorites of mine.
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I thought The Black Album was charming, as it was tongue-in-cheek for the most part, insted of trying to seriously pursue mainstream success. OK Human is also solid, it's growing on me with each month. However, I have a feeling that Van Weezer will be right up my alley. ;D
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Another Band to check is Rooney. I think you folks will like them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZLkw9io9C0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB809oiPE1c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E24HsmOLAw
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I love good power pop I like it all .
I like things like Powerman 5000, Marvelous 3, Four Year Strong, New Found Glory, HelloGoodbye , A Day to Remember, Pierce the Veil, Seaway etc, most of the bands I like only have a few good songs but the ones I like I like...too many to list
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Senses Fail Buried a Lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUXZfybUbCM
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The Used I caught Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLoOx86A6bE
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Mid Town Give it up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPcY55fRJYs
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HUGE Power Pop fan here.
Jellyfish
Squeeze (Argy Bargy is required listening)
Cheap Trick (Hot take: Dream Police is their high-water mark)
The Cars
Hidden gem: Talk Show, the album that the DeLeo brothers (from Stone Temple Pilots) did with a guy named Dave Coutts. Very Cheap Trick-ish. Another hidden gem: the debut from Enuff Z'nuff.
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HUGE Power Pop fan here.
Jellyfish
Squeeze (Argy Bargy is required listening)
Cheap Trick (Hot take: Dream Police is their high-water mark)
The Cars
Hidden gem: Talk Show, the album that the DeLeo brothers (from Stone Temple Pilots) did with a guy named Dave Coutts. Very Cheap Trick-ish. Another hidden gem: the debut from Enuff Z'nuff.
Hello hello.....
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HUGE Power Pop fan here.
Jellyfish
Squeeze (Argy Bargy is required listening)
Cheap Trick (Hot take: Dream Police is their high-water mark)
The Cars
Hidden gem: Talk Show, the album that the DeLeo brothers (from Stone Temple Pilots) did with a guy named Dave Coutts. Very Cheap Trick-ish. Another hidden gem: the debut from Enuff Z'nuff.
funny I just had dream police on in my truck,... Huge fan Black and white and in color into Heaven Tonite to me is the golden age
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HUGE Power Pop fan here.
Jellyfish
Squeeze (Argy Bargy is required listening)
Cheap Trick (Hot take: Dream Police is their high-water mark)
The Cars
Hidden gem: Talk Show, the album that the DeLeo brothers (from Stone Temple Pilots) did with a guy named Dave Coutts. Very Cheap Trick-ish. Another hidden gem: the debut from Enuff Z'nuff.
Huge STP fan love deleo brothers,... I agree
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WTF is Power Pop?
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WTF is Power Pop?
Listen to the bands silly.
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The Cars is Power Pop?
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Yes
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Since when? I have literally never heard the term before this thread.
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Since when? I have literally never heard the term before this thread.
It’s on their Wikipedia page and everything!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cars
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Gee, I guess I missed that the last time I was on The Cars wikipedia page.. :lol
Joe, I'm gonna name some random music genre.. whaddya think?
How about...Pizza Rock?
(https://www.toonpool.com/user/6485/files/dark_side_of_the_pizza_1249845.jpg)
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I only came in here to see why the hell TAC was posting here ...........now it makes sense :lol
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I only came in here to see why the hell TAC was posting here ...........now it makes sense :lol
Yay! One follower on my DTFgram account! :lol
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Gee, I guess I missed that the last time I was on The Cars wikipedia page.. :lol
Joe, I'm gonna name some random music genre.. whaddya think?
How about...Pizza Rock?
(https://www.toonpool.com/user/6485/files/dark_side_of_the_pizza_1249845.jpg)
Truthfully, I only recently learned the term dates back to the late 60s:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_pop
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Gee, I guess I missed that the last time I was on The Cars wikipedia page.. :lol
Joe, I'm gonna name some random music genre.. whaddya think?
How about...Pizza Rock?
(https://www.toonpool.com/user/6485/files/dark_side_of_the_pizza_1249845.jpg)
Click for more clues on pizza rock bro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rISYCquFeI8
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people probably don't know him, but Timmy Sean's debut album Songs From & Inspired By Noisewater is a power-pop gem for those who have heard it.
https://timmysean.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-inspired-by-noisewater
Also another name that many don't know, or may have heard.
sElf
Breakfast With Girls is maybe the go-to for many. Jellyfish meets Weezer is 1 description given to it.
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Fountains Of Wayne
my wife is a HUGE fan of theirs, so by extension I have become 1. Also the fact Adam Schlesinger produced the last 2 Monkees albums (which she is an enormous lifer fan), added to the appreciation. Adam's passing last year still really stings, but he left a ton of great music behind him including FoW and stuff like That Thing You Do soundtrack which would fall under Power Pop.
Real heartbreaking to lose him.
Another that might surprise you is Hanson. In the 2010's they have written some great pop tunes. Speaking of FOW and Hanson. Ever hear of this one of Super group?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1acLwi-jos
yeah it was. There's actually a tribute coming up with a ton of big names
https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-adam-schlesinger-tribute-concert-20210415-qixhlv5luzdxlalc2bbwidppxq-story.html
and yeah she knows Tinted Window of course. Me? I don't that much, that clip isn't bad other than I'm not sure if I am sold on having the singer from Hanson as their vocalist. ... My wife also loves a lot of Adam's electronic project IVY which I actually had heard before I met her on the local College Radio station. I actually probably would enjoy them more than Tinted Window.
You should definitely check out Jellyfish, like asap. They live up to their hype.
Well I found a cheap copy of Bellybutton on Discogs (as well as XTC's Skylarking which I've been meaning to get for a long time too), so there you go!
cool deal!
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people probably don't know him, but Timmy Sean's debut album Songs From & Inspired By Noisewater is a power-pop gem for those who have heard it.
https://timmysean.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-inspired-by-noisewater
Also another name that many don't know, or may have heard.
sElf
Breakfast With Girls is maybe the go-to for many. Jellyfish meets Weezer is 1 description given to it.
Slick for sure ,,,needs a bit more teeth for me... but its very cool
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Belmont Overstepping Love this tune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZHu0VO1abI
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I thoroughly enjoyed the SoT episode! I learned a lot which has led to discovering tons of old stuff I've never even heard of before. Some of my new favorites are Sloan, The Flames, Redd Kross and New England.
This is now my third time (at least) giving Jellyfish a chance since MP has talked them up for years now. I'm still not getting the hype over them. Guess it's just one of those deals.
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Another Band to check is Rooney. I think you folks will like them.
I mentioned them above, they were one of the first bands to come to my mind when I opened the thread, but I wasn't sure if they completely fall under the category. I got into them back with the debut fifteen years ago. Glorious stuff.
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Gee, I guess I missed that the last time I was on The Cars wikipedia page.. :lol
Joe, I'm gonna name some random music genre.. whaddya think?
How about...Pizza Rock?
(https://www.toonpool.com/user/6485/files/dark_side_of_the_pizza_1249845.jpg)
This may veer us off-topic, but I don't think I can get a better opportunity to mention this. The funny thing is there was a band that does parody songs of Velvet Underground songs with pizza-themed lyrics and names. If that's not enough, the frontman was Macaulay Culkin. I haven't heard anything from them, but I knew this was a thing for whatever reasons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pizza_Underground
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Jellyfish is awesome.
"The Lickerish Quartet" is kinda similar. Some former Jellyfish members in there. Highly, highly recommended. Look up their song "Lighthouse Spaceship".
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HUGE Power Pop fan here.
Jellyfish
Squeeze (Argy Bargy is required listening)
Cheap Trick (Hot take: Dream Police is their high-water mark)
The Cars
Weezer?
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Gee, I guess I missed that the last time I was on The Cars wikipedia page.. :lol
Joe, I'm gonna name some random music genre.. whaddya think?
How about...Pizza Rock?
(https://www.toonpool.com/user/6485/files/dark_side_of_the_pizza_1249845.jpg)
Timpop. Wtf music that confuses you.
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HUGE Power Pop fan here.
Jellyfish
Squeeze (Argy Bargy is required listening)
Cheap Trick (Hot take: Dream Police is their high-water mark)
The Cars
Weezer?
Eh. They never really struck me. Rivers Cuomo went to high school here in CT but other than the first record, I've been able to take or leave them.
How about The Smithereens, though?
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I'm a big Posies Guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM1U78RLChY
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As far as Weezer goes, I’m familiar with the Blue album and it’s a lot of fun. I checked out Pinkerton last night and was surprised that I’d never heard any of it before. It didn’t grab me really. My favorite Weezer fact is that Rivers Cuomo used to take guitar lessons from Jim Matheos.
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Pinkerton was a very dark album. Became a fan fave but Rivers went into a deep funk for a bit after that album.
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people probably don't know him, but Timmy Sean's debut album Songs From & Inspired By Noisewater is a power-pop gem for those who have heard it.
https://timmysean.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-inspired-by-noisewater
This was a name your price download, so I purchased it last night and I'm really enjoying it. Great recommendation!
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My favorite Weezer fact is that Rivers Cuomo used to take guitar lessons from Jim Matheos.
Interesting. Never heard that before!
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How about this. My buddy is the drummer and I've known him since my teen years. He's in a power pop band. They just released a song today.
https://youtu.be/4r-0YXsytCU
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people probably don't know him, but Timmy Sean's debut album Songs From & Inspired By Noisewater is a power-pop gem for those who have heard it.
https://timmysean.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-inspired-by-noisewater
This was a name your price download, so I purchased it last night and I'm really enjoying it. Great recommendation!
very cool! it's a great unknown album that most people who check it out, enjoy it. His new album "A Tale from the Other Side" is also quite good (among his other bands). Timmy and like his project SIR VIDEO are 1 of the artists my wife actually and I almost enjoy equally (which is not common for us).
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How about this. My buddy is the drummer and I've known him since my teen years. He's in a power pop band. They just released a song today.
https://youtu.be/4r-0YXsytCU
I dig this too!
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How about this. My buddy is the drummer and I've known him since my teen years. He's in a power pop band. They just released a song today.
https://youtu.be/4r-0YXsytCU
I dig this too!
yeah it's pretty cool. Almost a vintage 70's or Yacht Rock sound to that tune.
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AAR Swing Swing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtypSRcwIhA
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AAR Swing Swing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtypSRcwIhA
I am always amazed at how unproductive this band manages to be. 4 albums over a 20 year span and virtually no significant touring. Move Along was a brilliant album (and their debut is good too) but the others are pretty dull. Such a waste of potential
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That band had some solid hits that still gets airplay on the Alt Rock radio stations that I used to listen to. Move Along, Gives You Hell, Dirty Little Secrets. Chalk that one under the "What the heck happened to them and where are they now?"
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AAR Swing Swing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtypSRcwIhA
I am always amazed at how unproductive this band manages to be. 4 albums over a 20 year span and virtually no significant touring. Move Along was a brilliant album (and their debut is good too) but the others are pretty dull. Such a waste of potential
I agree I enjoyed them and Move Along was so good ,
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Props for making the Pop
SWEET FOX ON THE RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRv7EjjwYBI
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Props for making the Pop
SWEET FOX ON THE RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRv7EjjwYBI
I love The Sweet!
Desolation Boulevard is one of my all time favorite albums. Look how many of those tracks have been covered by other bands.
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Props for making the Pop
SWEET FOX ON THE RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRv7EjjwYBI
I love The Sweet!
Desolation Boulevard is one of my all time favorite albums. Look how many of those tracks have been covered by other bands.
Me too brother great stuff
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Saw this tour in 95. His albums a gems.
https://youtu.be/sNfocDNZWY8
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Saw this tour in 95. His albums a gems.
https://youtu.be/sNfocDNZWY8
That is my favorite Matthew Sweet song for sure. Great tune!
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Saw this tour in 95. His albums a gems.
https://youtu.be/sNfocDNZWY8
[/quote
good tune for sure
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Props for making the Pop
SWEET FOX ON THE RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRv7EjjwYBI
I love The Sweet!
Desolation Boulevard is one of my all time favorite albums. Look how many of those tracks have been covered by other bands.
Ace's "Fox On The Run" is EXCELLENT, as is Joan Jett's A.C.D.C.
I've told TAC this before, but I used to work as a janitor in my hometown school system when I was in high school and college. The school had four hallways that all met in a common foyer. The dude I worked with would put his boom box in the foyer with "Desolation Boulevard" on it, and he would mop one hallway and I would mop the other, then we'd turn it around and do the other two hallways. I have the CDs with the UK versions (the US version is a compilation of songs from the UK Sweet Fanny Adams and Desolation Boulevard) but that just means more awesome music.
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Give Us A Wink is a great album too.
Pat Benatar does an awesome No You Don't on her first album.
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Rick Beato put me on to this one (he produced this EP)
Owen Beverly - For Mia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYeD1W_HXBc
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Props for making the Pop
SWEET FOX ON THE RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRv7EjjwYBI
I love The Sweet!
Desolation Boulevard is one of my all time favorite albums. Look how many of those tracks have been covered by other bands.
Sweet goes METAL in "Set Me Free":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-RTCRPMoaQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-RTCRPMoaQ)
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:tup
Props for making the Pop
SWEET FOX ON THE RUN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRv7EjjwYBI
I love The Sweet!
Desolation Boulevard is one of my all time favorite albums. Look how many of those tracks have been covered by other bands.
Sweet goes METAL in "Set Me Free":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-RTCRPMoaQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-RTCRPMoaQ)
:tup
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Just stumbled upon a band/artist called Pugwash (name was familiar, but don’t think anyone mentioned them here). I think this fits in the power pop topic:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=avRptv_PeQA
This album features guest appearances by Dave Gregory, Andy Partridge, and Ben Folds. Very cool stuff:
https://pugwashtheband.bandcamp.com/album/the-olympus-sound
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Just stumbled upon a band/artist called Pugwash (name was familiar, but don’t think anyone mentioned them here). I think this fits in the power pop topic:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=avRptv_PeQA
This album features guest appearances by Dave Gregory, Andy Partridge, and Ben Folds. Very cool stuff:
https://pugwashtheband.bandcamp.com/album/the-olympus-sound
yeah I know them. They were suggested to me a number of years ago from a guy on rateyourmusic (or maybe mp.com, forget). I liked moments, but never was won over by them. But maybe I didn't hear the right song/album.,
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bump.
since there's no dedicated topic, I figure I'd post it in here.
sElf aka Matt Mahaffey, just posted this on Instagram.
Fucking stoked to hear some new sElf soon. The man is brilliant, including his more recent stuff.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdYphRwuGU5/
mattmahaffey
Making NEW sElf MUSIC for the 1st time since 2014. @self.is #rancholuxurio