One series ends. Another one might as well start. Keeps me active. Power Pop is a broad category and I might be pushing boundaries here at some points but here are 100 melodically driven guitar songs. Broadly influenced by The Byrds, The Beatles, The Who and Big Star among other things. Some upbeat. Some more reflective and lovelorn. Should brighten up a dark December skyline. No attempt to be definitive. One song per band and a quote from each.
100. Greenberry Woods
'Forget about the past. It's all in the past..'
Maryland band from the Nineties. The word 'plangent' comes to mind.
99. The Rutles
'Now when we meet. All kinds of things it seems. Upset the apple cart.'
Well I said there may be echoes of The Beatles somewhere. The Rutles of course did it best.
98. The Lyres
'I've been working in Boston for three years now. Waiting for the door that never appears...'
The Lyres were always a little more slanted towards Garage than Power Pop. Organ driven and slightly darker than most of the choices that will appear here but it has sufficient of the necessary ingredients to merit a slot here. Also perhaps the only song here about the frustrations of a working musician trying to make it.
97. Buffalo Tom
'Here she comes across the street. But I'm already there downstairs to meet with her...'
Buffalo Tom meanwhile always gravitated more towards Grunge and Neil Young than the traditional Power Pop influences. This nevertheless also ticks the right boxes though perhaps an argument could be had as to whether the harmonica is really a Power Pop instrument. It won't take place here.
96. Smoking Popes
'This world is freezing cold. I long for you to hold me in your arms.'
Power Pop. Often the sound of a melodically breaking heart.
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