#power pop
The second salient feature of power pop, along with its avowed status as a kind of fandom, is that it is happy music—eminently “poppy”—which depends for its power on the cryptic presence, in a lyric or a chord change or a bit of upside-down vocal harmony, of sadness, yearning, even despair. This strand of pop darkness can be found right off the bat, in the founding documents of the genre, like The Who’s “Pictures of Lily,” in whose final stanza the song’s narrator discovers that his pinup dream girl has “been dead since 1929,” or The Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” where the sadness and yearning are smuggled into the melody, the harmonies, the lyrics, and even the title, which marks the broken place, the gap between the wish and the world. True power pop is rueful and celebratory at the same time, glorifying desire and frustration, which is why so many power-pop songs concern themselves with the subject of Tonight, or Tomorrow Night, or Saturday Night, or some other night that will only be perfect for as long as it can be deferred. Depression stalks the genre. … All the clouds of power pop are worn inside out to show the silver lining.
Michael Chabon, “Tragic Magic: Reflections on Power Pop”
Da Biz - Driven to Tears (1980)
Look Blue Go Purple - Circumspect Penelope (1985)
Da Biz - This Is No Audition (1980)
THE RECORD COLLECTING YEAR OF 2015 IN REVIEW
This mix is a selection of my favorite record finds made during the past year. Originally compiled as a christmas present for a few select (albeit uninterested) friends and co-workers, I’ve finally decided to let this monstrosity loose for all to see.
Some of these are old time wants that was finally scored during 2015, others are new acquantainces. Some rare, some common, some expensive, some cheap; with all sorts of genres represented. Centered around the 80:s and late 70:s as well as my own shitty taste, of course. I hope you’ll enjoy!!
As always, a million thanks to monster collectors and all around best dudes AJPN&Kaotic-san for hipping me up to more than a few of these and for always providing inspiration!
TRACKLIST
01.アロワナ - アイシテンダネ！ (‘81)
02.THE BEATS - 今夜だけ Be With You ('82)
03.FILMS - Girl ('8?)
04.FEVER - デジタラブ ('80)
05.比企理恵 - 想像力少女 ('80)
06.モモ - 空に会おうよ ('85)
07.ビックリ・エレクトリック・カンパニー - おふろのかぞえうた ('80)
08.DENDÖ MARIONETTE - Frozen Edge ('81)
09.風速40米 - 抱いて, 抱いて, 抱いて ('82?)
10.十万馬力 - Speed Game ('8?)
11.TAKAO & THE VIEW - Suzi ('82)
12.ロミオ - それはないよ子猫ちゃん ('79)
13.ノラ - 忘れかけた愛の言葉 ('73)
14.ギャートルズ - カタカタ片想い ('77)
15.BROWN SUGAR - Birthday ('81)
16.I - ひとりぼっち ('81)
17.ジェムストーン - Sentimental Angel ('87)
18.フルーティー - You’re My Summer Dream ('84)
19.RIVER CHILD - Go A Way ('84)
20.MERSEY BEAT - Rebellion To Town ('88)
DOWNLOAD MP3:S
Mix 2/3: INTENSE POP ‘n’ ROLL FESTIVAL
Originally made for a friends housewarming party. Rare & obscure new wave/power pop/beat/neo-mod from the 70:s & 80:s.
TRACKLIST
01.一風堂 - もっとリアルに*
(from their debut single, “もっとリアルに / Dis-Communication”, 1979)
02.EXCENTRIQUE NOIZ - Monochrome
(from the “Monochrome/Devil Rain” flexi, 1982)
03.ピヴィレヌ - コンピューター占い
(from the “One” LP, 1980)
04.THE MARIAES - Boy
(from the “Boy” single, 198?)
05.HIKO’S! - Vibration
(from V/A - “From Electric Lady Land '83” 2xLP, 1983)
06.BRONX - I Can’t See
(from V/A - “Dance And Beat Collection! From Electric Lady Land 85’” LP, 1985)
07.THE EUPHORIA - Step and Beat*
(from V/A - “We Ain’t Got No Think” LP, 1987)
08.THE BASEBALL - Miss Mary
(from V/A - “My Generation” LP, 1989)
09.MAYBELLIN - 約束*
(from the “約束 / ハロー · キャンディ” single, 1976)
10.ORANGE PECO - 君の想い出*
(from the “君の想い出” single, 1973)
11.DASH - 真夏の夜のドリーミン
(from the “ストロベリー · キッス / 真夏の夜のドリーミン” single, 1982)
12.THE JANET - あの娘の胸に途中下車
(from the “あの娘の胸に途中下車” single, 1975)
13.THE MAMMYS - どうして僕を選んだの?
(from the “London Boy In Blue” EP, 1988)
14.MERSEY BEAT - Please Open Your Eyes
(from their s/t EP, 1987)
15.THE STANDARDS - Come Back To Me Baby
(from the “Rambling Rose” 12", 1987)
DOWNLOAD
* Special thanks to AJPN!
see the people walking down the street! fall in line just watching all the beat! they don’t knwo ,eveyr to go5 go, ythey’re wlaking in time THEY GOT THE EBAT, THEY GOT THE BEAT, THEY GOT THE BEAT, YEAHHHHH THEY GOT THE BEAT. all the kids just getting out of school! they csn’t wait g oto chang iiut oin the cool! hang around butte after 1 12 i ’m standing in the linr THEY GOT THE RBAT, THEY GOT THE BEAT, THEY’S GOT THE BEAT, YEAHHHH, YOU’VE GOT THE BEAT. got the music really makes me stance! in the croded putsi si in tataence! tod oa truce giveisu su s trance, THAST’S WHATN TWEE FALL IN LINE! ‘CAUSE WR GOT THE BEAT, WE GOT THE BEAT, WE GOT THE BEAT, YEAHHHHHH W GOT IT! W GOT THE EBAT. WE GOT THE BEAT. WE GOT THE BAET. everybody geto ff your feet WE GOT THE BEAT eek now you can danscie hth thw beatWE GOT THE BEAT jump aAGHGHHGGHGHGHGH WE GOT HEB WAT round and oruna dn orudn WW E GOT THE BEAT we got the beast WR GOT THE BEAT we got the beat WE GOT THE BREWt ee got the beat WE GOT THE BEAT we got the beat WE GOT THE BEAST, WE GOT THEB EAt we ogt htheb eST WE GOT THE HBEAT, WE GOT THE BEAT.
Sloan - Between the Bridges Promo Shoot, 1999
Photos by Richard Beland
“Whole Wide World,” Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby (live in Dallas, 2008)
What a great power pop love story.
love doesn’t exist, there is no such thing as love
