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power-pop forum
49 replies
Jackeill said on May 21, 2003 10:30:
i think it’s a nice idea since we have some people here that are good in powerpop and they think it is the way of living [like me] ;) so what about telling here our ideas, mentioning bands we have discovered, and at last searching for the best powerpop artist in the world ? what do you think? and since there is powerpoplarry i think it’s really great idea ;)
i recently came back to great usa band called “nine days”. they’re playing great powerpop. please let me know what do you think about them, and write here your favorite band ;)
harriej said on May 21, 2003 19:10:
Hey, no Powerpoplarry yet??
I bet he will respond to this forum very soon!!
ally77 said on May 21, 2003 20:26:
Hej Larry.....
(just in advance for when he does come in...)
How are you?
powerpoplarry said on May 22, 2003 07:05:
HEY!!! I finally made it here, LOL!! Wow, you guys are impatient, LOL!! It’s not like this board was up a full week, ya know?? It was started today, and I sign on at night, so I am happy Jack started this board, and yes, powerpop is more than music, it’s kind of a state of mind. Don’t y’all agree??
About NINE DAYS, they are actually from near me, where I live, Long Island, NY, from Deer Park. Their last album, “The Madding Crowd”, was pretty cool I agree, and that hit they had “Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)” was excellent too. They recorded the followup but had disagreements with Epic and they left the label!! We shall see where the band and album end up, so far nothing.
Santi, ’sup man!! Nope, don’t know that Norwegian band BRISKEBY, BUT I love this other Norwegian powerpop band called BABEL FISH!! I only know and have their self-titled debut on Atlantic from 1998, with the killer hit-that-never-was “Mania”. Think somewhere between the Gin Blossoms and Toad The Wet Sprocket. If anyone knows, did BF record any more albums?? Great band.
Coyboy, do you know what real powerpop is?? No, it’s not the bland, generic mall pop/punk that is popular these days.
ALLY, what’s up?? How are you?? Me, pretty good, waiting for an email... ;-)
Hey Wendy!!!!!!! ;-) Long ago?? I was here yesterday, hehe!!
Storm, um, Blondie is SORT OF powerpop, definitely. Heart?? Not really. I love them though!! Their 70s stuff was classic and their 80s stuff, while a bit dated, holds up better than you might expect.
OK, my little contribution on today’s discoveries/finds. This new band called ROONEY, named after the principal in the 80s calassic flick “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. Their self-titled debut came out this week on Geffen, and it’s great, if a bit of a grower. Sorta like an upper-level Weezer with a hint of ELO. Their lead singer, his brother is Jason Schwartzman from PHANTOM PLANET, and he’s also an actor, in movies like “Rushmore”.
Next up, DAMONE!! This Boston band is just KILLER too!! They released their debut album, “From The Attic” on RCA, and it’s short, only 30 minutes, but zero duds. They have a female singer, known simply as Noelle, I think she is only 17, but she is awesome!! Perfect rocking little record, they sound like a cross between Cheap Trick and Letters To Cleo/Josie + The Pussycats, equal parts rocking grit + sugary tunes/vocals, a must....
Lastly, a little supergroup called THE THORNS. Who is in The Thorns?? None other than Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullens, and Pete Droge!! They put out a record that is amazing, very Matthew Sweet-ish, like duh, but in a 3-part harmony mode, like a powerpop CSN, with a hint of alt-country. Hell, they even do a cover of “Blue” by the Jayhawks on the CD!! Just perfect.
OK, besides Roxette, my all time fave powerpop bands/artists EVER are: Cheap Trick, The Posies, Jellyfish, Letters To Cleo, The Muffs, The Merrymakers, Matthew Sweet, The Lolas, Swirl 360, Adam Schmitt, The Bangles, The GoGo’s, Rick Springfield, Puffy AmiYumi, Gin Blossoms, ruby blue, and many more...
powerpoplarry said on May 22, 2003 07:20:
Yeah, nice song, but that is not a good example of the Bangles’ powerpop. That award would go to anything on their first 2 albums.
powerpoplarry said on May 22, 2003 07:29:
Really??!!?? Check out the rest, including their NEW album, “Doll Revolution”, and you’ll be in for a shock...think a female Beatles...
powerpoplarry said on May 22, 2003 07:34:
Majdy, the Bangles reunited 2 years ago, first for some shows, and now a new studio album, how YAY!!!!
powerpoplarry said on May 22, 2003 07:36:
Just wondering, has this forum become, like, the powerpoplarry forum as well?? Like the wendy forum and the zeeshan forum?? Just curious, it looks like it’s going that way, besides talking tunes, and that’s cool!!!!!!!! Thanks Jack!!!!
Majdy said on May 22, 2003 07:50:
it could be, Larry. besides your knowledge about music are amazing :)
hey, don’t forget to visit “One Upon a Time” forum, we need your contribution since it doens’t make any sense at all, nut it’s fun! :)
Jackeill said on May 22, 2003 08:37:
hehe everything is so cool here ;)
@powerpolarry: nine days last album is not madding crowd!!! they relased “so happily unsatisfied” last year, and i think you should check it out! great melodies, loud guitars, try song like “favorite song” [reminds me of rox in some way] “the joneses” [powerpop anthem trust me!] or “ocean” [it’s kind of rock or hard rock stuff but its awsome!]
eh today i’m going to write an exam and i’m so lazy and so stupid i haven’t learned anything so it would be crap :/ to much music/alcohol/girls [sex/drugs/gyllene tider:D]
see ya later i’m going to learn something.... ;]
Shane said on May 22, 2003 17:49:
@ Majdy - If you like the Bangles, you must get Doll Revolution - it is a great cd! “Tear Off Your Own Head” is a terrific pop song (not sure if it qualifies as a “powerpop” tune - will probably need powerpoplarry to rule on that one) and “I Will Take Care of You” is a super ballad - kind of like Eternal Flame.
@Powerpoplarry - I sent you an email - finally....
Majdy said on May 23, 2003 03:30:
hey, thanks. then I’ll try to find it :) wow... I just can’t believe that they (the bangles) is still exist!!!
powerpoplarry said on May 23, 2003 06:28:
Hey Majdy, thanks, and howdya dig my contribution to that storyboard so far?? ;-) It is fun, but I got lost a few times trying to keep up, hehe!!
Hey Jack, YEP, that’s the name of Nine Days’ followup, “So Unhappily Unsatisfied”!! You actually HAVE an official CD copy!!!!!!! It was delayed and delayed by Epic here, eventually causing the band and Epic to part ways!! Supposedly, they are taking the album to another label, but iot’s likely it will not be released here in that form, or if at all. If you have a copy, or are able to find one, I will happily reimburse you...let me know. Basically, it’s unreleased in the US, as of now, probably forever. Good luck on your exam...yeah I know the feeling of your head rushing, heheh!!! ;-D
HEY Ally, yes, I got your mail, you’re lovely... ;-)
Um, yes, Coy, Blondie are considered new wave, but in the late 70s/early 80s, powerpop was ALSO considered a form of new wave. Blondie was also considered powerpop, and heck, thre is NO WAY songs like “Maria” or “Dreamin’” are not powerpop tunes!! Yes, Heart is considered classic rock, sorta like a female Led Zeppelin...
Hey Shane, how are you?? Yeppers, got your two emails as well, you’re wonderful!! ;-) About the Bangles, I will only buy the Japanese version of “Doll Revolution” cuz the 2 bonus tracks are the 2 songs from the Bangles’ VERY first 7” single, issued on CD for the very first time, woohoo!! And that song, “Tear Off Your Own Head (It’s A Doll Revolution)”, it’s an Elvis Costello cover, his song was on his most recent studio album, “When I Was Cruel”, which is amazing, I’m a HUGE Elvis Costello fan, the guy is a genius. Yes Shane, the song, and the Bangles overall, are considered to be a powerpop band, so all their stuff is placed under the powerpop radar.
Actually, Majdy, up until 2 years ago, a Bangles REUNION was considered a very wet dream, but yes, they got back together, first for a tour which was VERY successful. Now, a new studio album, “Doll Revolution”. Inbetween, they mostly all had solo careers, Susanna with 2 released solo albums, Vicky with her other bands The Continental Drifters + The Psycho Sisters (with Susan Cowsill), and her sister Debbie with Kindred Spirit. Michael Steele was basically MIA, not anymore...
I met Susanna a coupla times, and hung out with Vicki and Susan Cowsill many times, they rule!!! Never met Debbie or Michael though...
Majdy said on May 23, 2003 06:42:
you guys mention about “new wave”. I have a silly question, is that Duran-duran is new wave band? well, I have no idea what is new wave anyway, but I have heard that on the radio. some of my friend said that wish I could fly is a new wave song.
@larry : good to hear u on OUTT topic :) good contribution by the way :)
Jackeill said on May 23, 2003 10:37:
hey larry it’s really strange i think this whole story with nine days cos.... here, in poland, you can easily get the album, it is almost in every cd shop right here in my city...... also you can order it in polish internet shops... telling the truth i’ve got that album in mp3’s only since cd’s in poland are too expensive that i can’t afford them :/
check this out http://www.merlin.com.pl/sklep/sklep/strona.towar?oferta=259126&zet=jolj...
it kicks ass i’m sure you’ll love it from the first song!
powerpoplarry said on May 23, 2003 14:47:
Yes, Majdy, Duran Duran is totally New Wave. Their original goal was to mix punk rock a la the Sex Pistols with the funk/dance music of a band like Chic. There ya go, I think they succeeded.
Lookout, REUNION album by the fab 5 coming out later this year, supposedly on Arista!!!!!!
And Jack, thanxxx for the Nine Days link...I shall check it out when I have more time...
Jackie_Radiorox said on May 24, 2003 00:50:
Want another Duran Duranish band try finding anything from Canadian Band - Platinum Blond they are just awesome! I guess they’d be Power-pop. Definately some good music there , try to find 7-Year Itch their greatest hits.
If anyone is interested I’ll put a couple of tracks up somewhere.
Mambo said on May 24, 2003 05:57:
Hi I want to join this forum too ofcourse. check your mail in a few days
powerpoplarry said on May 24, 2003 06:49:
HEY Mambo!!! Nice for you to join this forum, you’re lovely!! Take your time with the email, I know you’re probably busy... ;-)
Jackie, yes, I know Platinum Blonde, a few songs, as I knew 2 albums, “Contact” and “Alien Shores”, but yes, I know they had more. DuranDuran-ish?? Maybe, but definitely more powerpop in songstructure. The singer’s voice just screamed 80s!!!
Well, I just picked up a new 2CD anthology by a band who partially invented the powerpop song, espesh the harmonies. Who is this band?? Why THE HOLLIES of course!! This “Greatest Hits” was just released here by Capitol and it kicks ass!! It’s like their 40th anniversary collection, and features 46 wonderful songs, all their hits worldwide plus 1 new tune. I have a strong feeling that Per loves a lot of their singles like “Carrie-Anne” and “Bus Stop” and “The Air That I Breathe”. Besides Per, one band they clearly influenced was The Posies, who are constantly touted as a 90s Hollies, or as Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson calls them, the Heavy Metal Hollies!! LOL!! Anyhoo, classic timeless powerpop!!
Also, I picked up the surprisingly great debut CD by the King’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, called “To Whom It May Concern”. Plus a disc I thought I would hate, but it is more powerpop than punk, Canadian band GOB’s 5th CD and Arista debut, “Foot In Mouth Disease”, which gets my vote for best album cover artwork and album title, both actually brilliant, and it features a handful of great tunes like “Oh Ellin” and “Give Up The Grudge”.
Now, major disappointment!! I really wanted to like this CD but I found it nice but very boring, not melodic enough: Norwegian artist Sondre Lerche’s “Faces Down”. Tasteful, yes, talented guy, yes, but boring?? You bet. Sorry, Sondre...
Jackie_Radiorox said on May 26, 2003 14:07:
Yep, P-Blonde was the Canadian Duran Duran (They are more rockier than DD, but, alrighty then!) according to a friend of mine that saw their rise and fall. They have better songs than Contact and Alien... Try - Crying Over You, Lost In Space, Holy Water.
Santi said on May 26, 2003 14:45:
I love The Hollies toooooo!!!!!!! It’s great :D
My fav song:
Ooooooohhhhh wooooon’t you staaaaaaaaay, just a little bit looongeeeeeeeer? :D
Santi said on May 26, 2003 14:51:
Try a Norwegian band called Briskeby.
Well, and from Norway as you like Powerpop you shouldn’t miss a band called “The September When”.
The singer from The September When, called Morten Abel is one of my favourites!! He’s got a solo career and it’s very god music, powerpoppy. He’s a big star in Norway as they tell me and his last record “I’ll come back and love you forever” went high in the charts!
powerpoplarry said on May 27, 2003 03:20:
Yes Jackie, I know Platinum Blonde was rockier than Duran Duran, and they verged on new wavey powerpop territory. Too bad they didn’t last, they were cool!! I’ll try to find a Canadian hits collection or something like that. There is a store in NYC that orders Canadian product for cheap, so I’ll see what they can get, thank you!!!! ;-)
Hey Santi!! COOOOOL you love the Hollies too, just wonderful powerpop songs!! Glorious harmonies, great playing, underrated songwriting + choice of covers. Underappreciated band really, I view the Hollies like a UK version of the Beach Boys or the Everly Brothers. I have the collection on now as I type, actually!! :-D Just heard “Sorry Suzanne”, awesome!! Yeah, killer copver of “Stay”, full of innocence and energy, woohoo!! The songs on this collection:
THE HOLLIES– “Greatest Hits” (Capitol/EMI)(2003)(cat #7243 5 82012-2 2)
CD1: 1– “I’m Alive”
2– “Sorry Suzanne”
3– “Here I Go Again”
4– “On A Carousel”
5– “King Midas In Reverse”
6– “Look Through Any Window”
7– “Blowin’ In The Wind” (Nash Version)
8– “The Air That I Breathe” (my favourite)
9– “Pay You Back With Interest”
10- “I’ve Got A Way Of My Own”
11- “Stay” (your favourite)
12- “The Very Last Day”
13- “We’re Through”
14- “Carrie Anne”
15- “Magic Woman Touch”
16- “I’m Down”
17- “Gasoline Alley Bred”
18- “I Can’t Let Go”
19- “Sandy (4th Of July, Asbury Park)”
20- “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”
21- “Stop Stop Stop”
22- “If I Needed Someone”
23- “Dear Eloise”
24- “Long Dark Road” (my second fave)
25- “I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top”
CD2: 1– “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
2– “Bus Stop”
3– “Jennifer Eccles”
4– “The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee”
5– “Too Young To Be Married”
6– “Listen To Me”
7– “Just One Look”
8– “Searchin’”
9– “(Ain’t That) Just Like Me”
10- “Yes I Will”
11- “What’s Wrong With The Way I Live”
12- “Lonely Hobo Lullaby”
13- “Daddy Don’t Mind”
14- “The Baby”
15- “Hey Willy”
16- “Son Of A Rotten Gambler”
17- “Write On”
18- “Star”
19- “Boulder To Birmingham”
20- “Soldier’s Song”
21- “The Woman I Love”
22- “How Do I Survive” (new song)
Pretty AWESOME, eh Santi?? And I will look up Briskeby on the net, any websites on them?? And yes, I have HEARD of The September When, but never heard their music, again, any sites?? Same with Morten Abel’s solo career?? Thanks again...
Anarem said on May 27, 2003 04:08:
Um, would Europe (“The Final Countdown”) count as power pop, or would that just be heavy metal?
powerpoplarry said on May 27, 2003 04:17:
Neither...it’s like disco melodic hard rock...kinda cheesy though...not heavy enough to be metal, too spandexy to be powerpop...
Santi said on May 27, 2003 12:23:
http://www.briskeby.com/
I recommend you to listen to “Cellophane Eyes” and “Propaganda”
http://www.mortenabel.com/abel.htm
I recommend to listen “Doberman”, “Hard to stay awake”, “Tulipz” and “You are beautiful”
http://www.warnermusic.no/artister/theseptemberwhen/
In this last one, if you go to “lyd/video”, lyd means sound in Norwegian, and there are three songs (not the best ones, in my opinion...)
Santi said on May 27, 2003 12:28:
Well, and for you, powerpoplarry, don’t miss the pics of Lise Karlsnes, the singer :D
By the way... the producer of Briskeby maybe some Roxette fan remembers of him... he’s called Michael Ilbert.
Anarem said on May 28, 2003 01:49:
Does anybody remember Glass Tiger? I really liked them, they were good, really rocky and poppy (“Rescued By The Arms of Love” as an example). I think they toured with Roxette during the European leg of the Join The Joyride tour, if I am not mistaken. Their sounds complement each other.
powerpoplarry said on May 28, 2003 04:35:
Oh Ana, I am a HUUUUUUUUUUGE Glass Tiger fan!! I have all 4 of their albums on CD, as well as Alan Frew’s first solo album from ’94. I think they were just wonderful, but they got screwed. Alan is such an amazing singer, maybe the male version of Marie?? Yes I am serious, I could listen to that guy sing anything!! They were so great but never got the recognition they deserved in the US, maybe the rest of the world?? EMI again, damn!!
BTW, their Canada-only third album “Simple Mission” from 1990 is an awesome powerpop album!! Hell, Tom Werman even produced it, as he produced 3 of Cheap Trick’s early acclaimed albums!!!
Thanxx for the links, Santi!!!
Anarem said on May 28, 2003 05:11:
@powerpoplarry:
“Don’t Forget Me” and “My Town” are true classics. Fortunately Glass Tiger is still performing, they’ll be near my city in August. Maybe I’ll check them out and relive my preteen years or something. Now all I have to do is find someone to drive me out in the middle of nowhere (the venue is near a lake... in the deep woods... oy!).
I also think that Alan Frew is the male version of Marie. He’s one of the few male singers out there who can convey pain and joy as well as she can. Other things Marie and Alan have in common:
- They’re both middle-aged
- Both not real blondes (shudder!)... or are they? :-)
- Similar vocal range :-P
- Both love Borje Salming, the famous Swedish hockey player (Alan once gave Marie an autographed jersey)
Another Canadian band that might be considered power-pop: World On Edge, who opened for Roxette in Canada (“Still Beating”, for example)
And more on the Platinum Blonde thing... Kenny MacLean had a solo album a few years ago, and had a minor hit with the song, “Don’t Look Back”. Not really poppy but it was a such a great song, and was truly underrated. Sigh, those were the days...
powerpoplarry said on May 28, 2003 05:59:
Ana, REALLY????!!!!??? Glass Tiger reunited?? Or they never really broke up, just went on hiatus?? I do know Alan released a second solo album on EMI in 2000 called “Wonderland”, which I do not have, do you?? I would love a CD of that, if you want to do a trade...
YEP, “Don’t Forget Me” is classic, and “My Town” is possibly the only song I don’t mind Rod Stewart singing on, LOL!! They blend well, but I am not a Rod fan really, but his early stuiff is cool. YEAH, you should go and check em out live, if you never did that before. And hey, if it’s a small place, you can talk Roxette with Alan, he might have some Marie + Per stories for you, you never know!! AND you can tell us here, LOL!! If I lived near you, I would go with you, hell yeah!! Sounds like a lovely locale, wow!! Hmmm, maybe I’ll come up, I’m from New York, wouldn’t be so bad, right??
COOL you agree with me that Alan is the male Marie, cuz he actually is!! PLUS they have all those things in common, wild!!
Here are 3 other 80s-era Canadian bands I just LOVE: HAYWIRE!!!! They were soooo great, but never got popular below the border. They released 4 albums, 1 early EP, and 1 hits collection. Their first album, 1986’s “Bad Boys” was perfect powerpop, and singer Paul MacAusland was like Alan Frew in his viocal range, but his approach was much lighter + happier. Their 2nd album, 1987’s “Don’t Just Stand There” was funkier and edgier, while still being powerpop. Then came 1990’s “Nuthouse”, recorded in Norway. An evolution of their live attack, the album was like hard powerpop, Cheap Trick-ish, with a bit of blues metal in some songs!! Then another about face on their 4th album, 1992’s “Gett Off”, which was clearly influenced by R+B and hiphop, while retaining their pop smarts and hard rock edge, and even adding some instrumental tracks, showcasing their tightness as a band. Quite an extraordinary listening experience, and Paul evolved into an even MORE amazing singer!! Too bad they split after that record, their peak. Attic, their label, released a hits collection, with no new tracks...I love em as much as Glass Tiger!!!
The other 2 bands: Honeymoon Suite and Luba. I’m also a HUGE Lisa Dalbello fan. Loverboy?? They sucked!!! OK in their day, but very much dated now. This is funny: a year or 2 ago, Loverboy were playing NYC club BB Kings (a venue that many vetran bands play, as well as current bands), and I was given 2 tickets to see them. I didn’t really want to go, so I figured, lemme see if I could sell them. Guess what, not only could I not sell them, people couldn’t even GIVE them away!! LOL!! This girl was at the door yelling “Free Tickets For Loverboy!!” People were just walking by, ignoring her, for over an hour!!! I gave mine to her and just left. I felt bad and sad for Loverboy, really...LOL!!
I remember World On Edge!!! I had their CD with “Still Beating” a long time ago, pretty good!! What happened to them??
Cool about the Platinum Blonde info, never heard Kenny MacLean’s solo work, never released in the US...any relation to Tara MacLean?? Love her stuff, nice girl too...
Anarem said on May 28, 2003 06:55:
Howdy Larry,
Yes, Glass Tiger are back together, but only doing concerts. I don’t know if they’re recording new material... so little info about them is available on the Net!
No, I don’t have Alan Frew’s latest album. I would like to hear it, though. :-) Anyone here has it? Anyone? Bueller? I wonder if Marie has it.
Sure, come on up to Manitoba, I’ll buy you that beer I promised you, and we can head on out to the woods together. But be sure to bring mosquito-repellant (lots of it!) and toilet paper, unless you want to wipe your bum with leaves. Actually, bring a lot of toilet paper; we can give a roll or two to Alan, and as for the rest of the rolls, we either keep all to ourselves, or make a fortune passing out squares to the highest bidders. Three-ply Charmin would be nifty. :-)
I’m not so sure about the Kenny/Tara MacLean connection. I’ll have to find out about this. :-) As for World On Edge, I think they are now defunct. Cool lead singer, it’s too bad.
Loverboy is still around???? OMG, they’re like cockroaches or something. I think they’ll survive the next apocalypse. That would suck.
Jackeill said on May 28, 2003 09:09:
not pure power-pop but try this band, i think it’s hard to get anything from them, but they’re playing something i can call “soft punk rock’n’roll”. fine melodies, only 3 instruments [guitar, bass, drums] sometimes harmomica.
the name - “the influents”
Stormkeeper said on May 28, 2003 11:13:
I´m surprised to hear Glass Tiger does still exist...
Does someone of you like Corey Hart btw?
and long live Duran2 re-union! :)
I like Tina Arena´s “Chains”.
cheers
powerpoplarry said on June 20, 2003 05:53:
HEY!! Bumping this sucker up!! I am now declaring this space the PowerPopLarry and Ally board!! ;-DDDDDDD
powerpoplarry said on June 20, 2003 06:31:
Hellllllooooooooooo to you too, my LUV!!!!!! ;-DDDDDDDDDD
Santi said on May 21, 2003 12:47:
I love the Norwegian band “Briskeby”.