I think his thing seems to more be the more alt/new wave strain of power pop from the late 80s and 90s and the stuff that directly influenced it, so I can see Badfinger being outside of his trajectory. Otherwise I agree.
Sadly, Badfinger were a hit-or-miss operation, with no one album worthy of "greatness", but a scattering of power-pop gems including Carry On, No Matter What, Without You, We're for the Night, Perfection, The Name of the Game, Baby Blue, In the Meantime ....
@@TheAnarchitekdidn't read rest of your comment, I take back most of what I said, except I do disagree, they had at least 2 great albums, Inc *wish you were here' but you do acknowledge amazing tracks from the albums, apologies😊👍
@@dougreed2257 I started listening to Badfinger when they were still the Iveys! The lads were blessed/burdened by their association with the Beatles, who mostly used them as a house band (see the Concert for BanglaDesh -- George doesn't even acknowledge Pete Hamm). Then, they had a manager who glommed off most of their earnings. Unfortunately, they were a middling rock band with a premier songwriter, and a crooked manager to rival the one who totally ripped off Moby Grape, Matthew Katz.
A good list. Nice to see Emitt Rhoads is still appreciated. Two of my favorites not mentioned here are 'Side 3' by Raspberries, and 'Beat & Torn by The Spongetones.
One suggestion: Garland Jeffreys' Escape Artist, from 1981. His backing band on the album has musicians from the E Street Band, the Wailers, and Graham Parker's Rumour, plus David Johansen and Lou Reed adding backing vocals, in a long list of contributors. I've had the LP on heavy rotation for most of the last 42 years, Jeffreys released Wild in the Streets in 1977; the song became something of a skater anthem.
@@tomrobinson5776 The beauty of the iPod. I take mine everywhere, had two, at one time, so one was always charged. I have 30-some playlists, drawing from 17,710 songs, from ABBA and the Animals, to Zappa and ZZ Top. Escape Artist is well worth a listen, though. It got lost in the start of the New Wave/Power Pop crush. Jeffreys' albums were like Al Stewart albums, with long lists of stellar supporting musicians.
Great story about the Smithereens. They were definitely a great live band, always gave it their all, no matter what the circumstances. Saw them twice in Columbus, once at the Columbus Auto Show and the other time at the grand opening of a shopping mall, and you know what, based on their performances you would have thought they were playing Madison Square Garden. Highlight of the auto show concert, during a song about White Castle, which is based in Columbus,. Pat whipped out a bagful of sliders and tossed them into the audience. One of those unforgettable concert moments. Record-wise, they never matched Especially For You, but A Date With the Smithereens is one of those albums you're supposed to hate but that I really have a fondness for. Keep rocking, my friend.
New subscriber. Love the selections. I saw Mathew Sweet and Teenage Fanclub open for Robyn Hitchcock at the former Studio 54, then called The Ritz, in 1992 (?) I saw The Smithereens open for Squeeze at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, in 1987. I met Pat's mother and family before the show in the parking lot by accident. The Smithereens almost stole the show, but they had homefield advantage being from New Jersey. I also met drummer Dennis Diken at a record show in Montvale, New Jersey in the late 1980's. He was record shopping like the rest of us. Great guy. I met Alex Chilton, and saw him play numerous times. Let's just say he lived up to his reputation every time. He once autographed every album I had of his before a Box Tops gig at the World Trade Center. Yes, there were concerts in the pavilion of the World Trade Center. The last time I saw him live was at the famous Bottom Line club in NYC shortly before it's closing. Even though he was an asshole, he did all the requests that I shouted out. Oh, yeah. Fountains of Wayne are from Wayne, New Jersey. There's a famous record store in Wayne called Sound Exchange. I bought loads of stuff there as a kid, as did they. I just found out the other day the store is still going strong which is great news.
I love power pop and I love the list. There were a few albums/bands I hadn't even heard of. In my top 10 I'd have to include the first two Marshall Crenshaw albums, Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves), East Side Story (Squeeze) and Starting Over (Raspberries). Big Star, Matthew Sweet, Nick Lowe of course would be in there as well. I'm for sure going to check out your recommendations. Cheers!
Stoneage Romeo's (1984) by the Hoodoo Gurus (Australia). Big on the USA college circuit, their first 5 albums charted in the USA, generally at 4 stars or more. Christgau gave them B's. Their most popular song is What's My Scene.
Great list. As far as Cheap Trick, In Color is the one for me. Tough to keep it to ten, but one album I could not live without is the powerhouse debut of the band 20/20. Also Pezband's first album is a true underrated gem.
@@tomrobinson5776 Also check out their live EP 20 Seconds Over Schaumburg. Whenever someone tells me that Power Pop is for wimps, I tell them to listen to this.
Plimsouls, Shoes, Nerves, The Beat, Off-Broadway, Joe Jackson, Phil Seymour, Squeeze, Motels, Romantics, Rollers, 20/20, Raspberries, Dwight Twilley, Badfinger, Records and some i missed
Many great albums mentioned here - but Badfinger (Wish You Were Here), The Records & several Dwight Twilley albums is missing. Female artists not mentioned: Ellen Foley, Genya Ravan & Susanna Hoffs.
Hi Tom- I’m a new subscriber and love power pop. Great top 10 list, hard to argue with any of your choices. I have all of these albums in my collection. So cool that you featured Game Theory, amazing underrated band. Rip Scott Miller. Look forward to more of your content. / Matt
I've always liked I Need to Know. I wish he had developed the story more. But, great rocker. I love the grittiness of Mary Jane's Last Dance. I haven't heard D Twilley, Smithereens, Raspberries in a long time. These groups were part of my high school+ college soundtrack. I graduated from high school in 1977. God: I am turning 65 this May (2024). So, my 50th year reunion in 2027.
Lovely list. And yes, Cheap Trick should always be on it. I enjoyed the video. Also, I never understood Fountains of Wayne. Perhaps this is merely a generational preference of some sort. That sort of vocal started late in the Power Pop world and strikes me as....well....contrived. Was looking for the Records and Marshall Crenshaw and the Cars--but this is all very subjective. I always want to throw the Buzzcocks into the mix. Maybe not. Others have said it, but Code Blue was unexpected.
the Raspberries, the Left Bank , Tommy James and the Shondells, flipping Bad Finger, The Records no mention , what ? very surprised you mentioned Code Blue
I love The Left Banke. I guess I never thought of them as power pop, but “Lazy Day” does have that vibe. Also love the singles by Badfinger and The Rasberries. Hard to narrow this genre to 10 albums. 😉
Great list, Tom! A few I wasn't familiar with. Here's a list of some of my favorites: TRANSLATOR - s/t (1985; this is actually their third album). OWSLEY - "The Hard Way" (2004) ROBYN HITCHCOCK - "Perspex Island" (1991) RASPBERRIES - "Starting Over" (1974) SWIRL 360 - "Ask Anybody" (1998) BIG STAR - "#1 Record" (1972) JEFF WHALEN - "10 More Rock Super Hits" (2019) ROBERT JOHNSON - "Close Personal Friend" (1978) SLOAN - "Navy Blues" (1998) RICK SPRINGFIELD - "Working Class Dog" (1981) THE PRIMITIVES - "Lovely" (1988) CHERRY TWISTER - s/t and "At Home With..." (1993/1999) VOICE OF THE BEEHIVE - "Honey Lingers" (1991) THE BANGLES - "All Over the Place" (1984) MATTHEW SWEET - "In Reverse" (1999)
That light reflecting off your glasses is killing me!!!!!! Looks like little glasses within glasses...At the right angle!!! Almost Alien looking...Haaaaaaaa!!! It's Great tho"
One of my favourite "Power Pop" albums has to be "Get The Knack" by The Knack. I remember getting that in the summer of '79 and playing it endlessly, and of course another great power pop albums is "All Over The Place" the debut album by The Bangles (which contains a cover of Live by The Merry Go Round)...
Hello my name is Bertrand a french fan of power pop! Your top ten is fabulous but in top twenty i Will add shoes James iha solo album 20 /20 Phil seymour and of course Dwight twilley rip 😢 Sincere salutations Bertrand France Power pop Will never die
@@tomrobinson5776 Hello thanks for your answer Listen to James iha first solo lp there a song called jealousy the second lp is not so good For me after jelly fish of course the greenberrywoods lp rapple dapple is à must to have with belle adair tuscumbia And connels max jury Paul Collins of course! Nice to meet you Bertrand
I went into this list thinking "lf Radio City isn't at #1, I'm gonna need to break stuff. Lots of stuff." Thanks for not getting me kicked out of my apartment. That having been said, your lists are brilliant even when l don't agree with all the choices.
My wife is more of a Power Pop fan than I am but I know a good Power Pop tune when I hear it. Paul Quinn former drummer for Teenage Fanclub and The Soup Dragons started a band around 2003 called The Primary Five that you might want to check out.
Interesting list. I will check out Code Blue and Chris Mars. The best powerpop album has to be A Hard Day’s Night by The Beatles imo. Certainly my favourite and kind of invented the genre.
Never thought of that, but I think you’re right. I’d put A Hard Days Night in my top 5 fave Beatles albums. Solid and perfect from start to finish and one of the most uplifting albums ever.
"Bandwagonesque"? First album? Please check again, and "Grand Prix" is ofc their best album. The Shoes, from Illinois, "Present Tense", an absolute must.
