Genre Defining Albums
October 24, 2018 3:14 pm“What is Power Pop?”
Though this question is asked by neophytes and oft-debated by fans of the genre, it is easy for me to answer because I believe the accent is on the power. Here is my list of records that are right down the middle of the Power Pop alley.
The Raspberries – first four albums
Big Star – first two albums
The Romantics – first four albums
The Plimsouls – first two albums
I know the list isn’t comprehensive – there is a lot of wiggle room for Beatles, Beachboys, Badfinger, Cheap Trick and The Who (early records). “Modern day” giants like Jellyfish and Matthew Sweet also come to mind. But for chiming guitars, melodic hooks, vocal harmonies and teen-age angst, I can’t top the early albums by my big four. If you don’t own them all, stop reading this and go buy them!