Roots of Powerpop

Amazon.com
Power pop was one of those things that just had to be, somehow--an attempt to recapture the giddy feeling of '60s pop with the energy of punk. So how come it wasn't new wave, anyway? Simply put, to a lot of people, it was. And here, in one place, you can hear some of the early (and a few later) tracks that defined the genre. "Early" often translates as crap ideas and execution, and of the 26 tracks on this compilation, there are more than a few that fit that category--The Romantics, for example. But there are some tidy little things on this release--The Plimsouls (possibly the best power pop band ever), 20/20, and the eternal Shoes. Cheap guitars, three chords, and enough enthusiasm to run a nuclear power plant; funny how the basics of rock & roll never change--only the tunes and the tie widths. --Chris Nickson

Roots of Powerpop,Roots of Power Pop,Bomp Records,Pop,Punk Collections,Rock,V/a Compilations

Average customer rating:

A very good compilation of power pop!
Not Really "Roots" of Power Pop - More Like the B-Sides

The Roots of Powerpop
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Bomp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

American Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk | Compilations | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

1970s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Power Pop | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Yellow Pills: Prefill Numero 004

ASIN: B000003JGK
Release Date: 1996-11-01

Tracks:

I Can't Pretend - Barracudas
First In Line - Romantics
Apologies - Pointed Sticks
One Way Ticket - Breakaways
Walking Out On Love - Breakaways
I'm Tired - M&Ms
I'll Get Lucky - Plimsouls
Now You Know - Real Kids
Tell It To Carrie - Romantics
Thinking Of Ways - Singles
Biggest Gossip In Town - Rockin' Horse
Jealousy - Poppees
Beat Your Heart Out - Zeros
Him Or Me - Flamin Groovies
Aggravation Place - Jook
It's About Time - Pandoras
She's Not Mine - Mystery Machine
The Trains - Nashville Ramblers
Utter Frustration - Wombats
Make Up Your Mind - Stiv Bators
Fun At The Beach - B Girls
Drive - 20/20
Screaming - 20/20
Under The Freeway - 20/20
Every Summer Day - Last
Tomorrow Night - Shoes

Amazon.com

Power pop was one of those things that just had to be, somehow--an attempt to recapture the giddy feeling of '60s pop with the energy of punk. So how come it wasn't new wave, anyway? Simply put, to a lot of people, it was. And here, in one place, you can hear some of the early (and a few later) tracks that defined the genre. "Early" often translates as crap ideas and execution, and of the 26 tracks on this compilation, there are more than a few that fit that category--The Romantics, for example. But there are some tidy little things on this release--The Plimsouls (possibly the best power pop band ever), 20/20, and the eternal Shoes. Cheap guitars, three chords, and enough enthusiasm to run a nuclear power plant; funny how the basics of rock & roll never change--only the tunes and the tie widths. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

A very good compilation of power pop!.......2006-03-25

All of the tracks on this collection are NOT "from the 80's" as mentioned in a previous review. Also, the same review implies that the songs here are "filler" and stated that the omission of more commercially successful tracks by the Romantics and Plimsouls was "very telling". All of these comments are incorrect, this is a ROOTS compilation and features EARLY tracks by the featured artists.

Regarding the Amazon Editorial Review; Amazon reviewer Chris Nickson once again inserts his foot into his mouth by attacking a legendary power pop group like the Romantics. It should be noted that the Romantics went on to have more success and longevity than any of the other groups on this collection. The substantial legacy of the Romantics is undeniable and those who are fans will find two ORIGINAL (70's) "BOMP" releases on this CD issue (different versions than those found on their debut LP).

Fans of the Nerves, The Beat and the Plimsouls will be happy to own the two songs included on this release by the Breakaways. After Jack Lee left the Nerves, remaining members Peter Case and Paul Collins formed the Breakaways. The Breakaways were a stepping stone for Paul Collins to his group "The Beat" and also for Peter Case who went on to form the Plimsouls. The song "one way ticket" is a power pop classic in the tradition of the Nerves (One of the best power pop groups of the 70's), while the song "walking out on love" was later re-recorded and re-released by Collins with his group "The Beat".

I've never seen a truly great, well rounded collection of power pop available, but this is a very good compilation by a label (BOMP) that knows the subject well. BOMP was a haven for new and exciting music in the 70's and was particularly influential in the power pop genre. In my opinion they've done an excellent job of selecting early tracks by key power pop artists.

This compilation is a great starting place for new power pop collectors or for those looking for a specific song or version of a song by one or more of these artists.

-JM

Not Really "Roots" of Power Pop - More Like the B-Sides.......2006-03-14

Not much of collection - essentially the scraps of the Power Pop Colection barrel. First, since these are all tracks from the 1980's - these are hardly from the "root" era of the power pop movement/sub-genre. But more importantly, while the Plimsouls and Romantics are featured and yes, we really don't need yet another collection with MILLION MILES AWAY or WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU - the fact that those two tracks are NOT on this CD is very telling - Very few people need some filler tracks from the Plimsouls or the Romamtics. There are no hidden gems or forgotten tracks, just a collection of passable power pop tracks from the 1980's - if you're a completist and you don't have the original LP's/CD's, you might want this ...

If you want the real roots of power pop, check out - Friday at the Hideout: Boss Detroit Garage

Average customer rating:

RARE GEM!!!!
Hey, I knew this guy in junior high!

Blue Period
Carl Rusk
Manufacturer: Beathaven
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000523JX
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Raspberry Way
Fly
Orch.
Grains Of Sand
You Breathe And You Dream
Everyone
Time
Caroline
Dance With Me

Customer Reviews:

RARE GEM!!!!.......2005-02-03

If this CD had only come out when---oh, so what? great power pop is great rock and roll is great music: timeless. So what if it came out (and in limited release) years after it was recorded: Carl is such a stellar songwriter, guitarist, production wizard, pop singer and all around musical genius, his fans (or fans of groups like The Shins) should be glad it came out at all. His work in the 80s with San Diego's Nashville Ramblers and 90s with San Francisco's Black Diamonds is respected worldwide (see if you can find ANY of those treasures and look out for a forthcoming new album). Influences range from the Beatles to Nick Drake. Lots of strong Holliesesque harmonies, brilliant shimmering cascades of echoey two-track tube amp Byrdsish guitar, thundering booming and snapping ringing drums, tasteful understated bass, and absolutely flawless old school production by legendary studio master Marc Neill.
With well-chosen covers and appealing originals with poignant lyrics, this is the kind of CD that transcends its vintage quality because it harkens not only to the SOUND of the music it celebrates but takes inspiration from the CRAFT of the great known and unknown geniuses of late 20th century pop music.

Hey, I knew this guy in junior high!.......2001-08-31

Carl, if you ever check this out...your album sounds good! Betsy

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