Underrated Power Pop
Power pop originated in the early 60’s with music from The Beatles, Beach Boys, and The Byrds. The genre incorporates honey-sweet hooks and energetic performance, underpinned by a sense of yearning and pining, usually for love. The term power-pop was coined by Pete Townshend to describe their style of music, but it is more identified with the styles of acts like Cheap Trick, The Knack, and The Romantics.
Fast forward to the lat 90’s when a new wave of alternative bands were drawn to 60’s artists because of the 1980’s music they influenced. Although not as successful as the initial groups, bands like Jellyfish, The Posies, and Teenage Fanclub were making gooey candy-coated rock for the young generation. This resurgence climaxed in the early 00’s with an onslaught of under the radar bands making happy and energetic music.
This new circle of artists barely made a dent into the mainstream and were mostly left under appreciated and unknown after a short-lived run. Notable groups like Superdrag, Superdeluxe, Owsley, The Merrymakers, The Drowners, The Gigalo Aunts, and Jason Faulkner all delivered incredible output during their careers, but failed to break through to the radio charts and audiences.
Power-pop’s most obvious success story came from the surprising single “Stacy’s Mom” in 2003 from Fountains Of Wayne. The band had been in existence for nearly a decade before they achieved fame. Bands like Green Day, Weezer, Sum 41, and Blink 182 continued to use pop influence in their melodies though the original sound of the genre has long become outdated.
It was fun while it lasted and worth a head trip back in time.