Tuesday 29 July 2008

Define Powerpop in 140 Characters or Less



In two separate instances yesterday I was asked about powerpop on one of the microblogs that I use. One individual asked me to define powerpop in 140 characters. Due to the late hour and the difficulty of describing the term in so few characters, I might not have given the best description.

I was then asked today by a different person if I thought the Wikipedia entry on power pop was a fair summary. I don't - it's inadequate. How can you describe powerpop with such a lack of passion and emotion? It is the type of music that makes you want to roll down the windows when you are in your car and makes one feel like a teenager again.

Powerpop could be defined by a song that is somewhere between 2:30 and 3 minutes, with a remarkable hook or two, sublime harmonies and a great opening riff. Good openers might include: "A Million Miles Away" by the Plimsouls; "Another Girl, Another Planet" from the Only Ones and who can forget "There She Goes" by the La's.

So many bands have tried to capture the pristine catchiness of the early Beatles. Groups that attempt to do this try to find that perfect catchy hook that the listener will not be able to shake from their head.

In the course of this blog I will sometimes delve back into the past to review a classic, overlooked powerpop gem. I will also endeavor to track down new powerpop bands that aren't getting enough exposure. This is a serious mission!

11 comments:

beyesn said...

Love your definition/description and agree heartily with your examples. Look forward to the overlooked gems!

Anonymous said...

A nice definition. I must admit, before this I thought it had something to do with that Simon Cowell swill we see on TV. Some it's powerful, some of its pop, but most of it is horrible.

Anonymous said...

You make a good point that any definition of a favourite music genre has to have passion...not something you get much of on (approved) wikipedia pages!

Unknown said...

Great blog! I'm looking forward to reading more.

Aaron said...

Great job on the new blog. A good comment on the genre was posted here http://www.thisiswhatwedonow.com/2007/04/to-greatest-genre-in-world.html. Keep up the good work.

- Aaron
http://www.powerpopaholic.com

angelo said...

i just found your blog - of course you're linked on mine

Curty Ray said...

Great definition of power pop, you may also include in your definition I Don't Like Your Face by The Heats. Great blog keep it up

Anonymous said...

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Love your blog. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised if you heard some of our music. If you want to hear more about the Jim Basnight Band, Moberlys, Rockinghams, etc. please let me know and I'll send promos. The band's live show is really top notch right now and I'm hoping that you get a chance to see us live or on video. If you have any questions or need any more materials please get back to me.

Best wishes,
Jim
www.jimbasnight.com
myspace.com/jimbasnightandband

MrQwerty said...

Thanks for all the great comments. Aaron, I wanted to say that the reference you gave, had about the best definition of Power Pop I've seen. Thanks for pointing in our direction.

Curty Ray - we had a copy of the Heats album you mentioned, but I must admit, had never played it. 'I Don't Like Your Face' certainly fits in well with the other three tracks we cited and is a classic of the genre. Thanks for sticking your hand up and saying "yay"!

Toast Radio said...

A couple of years ago I had the chance to write the descriptive blurb for Live365's Power Pop category.

Tried to capture some of the enthusiasm in 249 characters! : )

Anonymous said...

Roll down the windows...feel like a teenager...between 2.5 and 3 mminutes..."remarkable" hook...great opening riff...

The Records - "Starry Eyes"

I don't wanna argue. There's nothing to say. LOL

Awesome blog!