First 10 albums you have heard from the top POWER POP albums at RYM

The list

Strangely much borderline case "indie" stuff in the Top 5, but I have heard the entire Top 10. (I think the first I've not heard is The Beat at number 14, although probably a great album judging from the one song I've heard.

whats so "strange"?

great list btw.
nice to see that New Porno's and Game Theory get their deserved respect

While New Pornographers are also "indie" in a way, I have no problem with them appearing on a powerpop list as they have very obvious pop qualities.

I feel that Weezer and Replacements are more borderline. Surely, they write pop songs, but those pop songs are packed into a format that is way more indie than pop, really. There are none of the vocal harmonies that are very typical of the powerpop genre, for instance. And the sound is also "dirtier" than one would normally expect from a powerpop act. Plus "Pinkerton" isn't even among Weezer's "poppier" material.

Also, "3rd" is Big Star and Big Star are of course a legendary powerpop act. But it was mainly their first two albums that were powerpop. "3rd" is more an alternative rock thing, except it was maybe a bit too early to be called that.

Hmm. I think I heard those Weezer albums in the top 5 and "Grand Prix" but can barely remember them.

Replacements- Let it Be, Tim
Big Star- 3rd, Radio City, #1 Record
Jam- All Mod Cons
Cheap Trick- ST, Heaven Tonight, In Color
Joe Jackson- Look Sharp

I know the 1st 12

there is great stuff on that list, but unfortunately it's all mixed in with newer crap that i would never listen to. er, kinda random list, is what i'm saying. how are people gonna know to buy a diodes album and NOT a buffalo tom album if they are right next to each other like that. i guess i will just have to tell everyone i see.

geir, have you ever heard *The 88*? you would like them:

http://www.myspace.com/the88

maria was playing an album of theirs the other day that came out a few years back and i was reminded of how much i liked it at the time.

They sound completely OK, but there are many bands like that, so the ones that stick out are usually either the ones with extraordinarily strong tunes, exciting chord changes or lots of cool vocal harmonies and phaser/flanger effects.

They'd definitely fit into the power pop genre though.

i don't see how Let it Be is power pop.
not that i have anything against the genre at all...#1 Record is a favorite of mine. but Let it Be is not power pop. Weezer certainly is, though

Weezer may be at times, but "Pinkerton" is not.

listening to this today and reminded of just how friggin' perfect it is from beginning to end:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/PhilSeymour_selftitled.jpg

i mean, i like it as much (or more in some cases) as any twilley album. plus, it's got that amazingly punchy production that you need for perfect purist power pop (P.P.P.P.).

I agree. Phil Seymour > Dwight Twilley. "Precious To Me" is particularly wonderful.