Everyone knows what power pop sounds like now, but in the mid to late 70’s the genre wasn’t easily identified. The Raspberries and Badfinger had faded in the public’s memory and disco was king. During the birth of the punk revolution New Yorkers Bob Waxman, Arthur Alexander, Paddy Lorenzo, and Donny Jackrel created a sound that mimicked the Beatles Merseybeat period perfectly. Like many Merseybeat bands of the past (The Knickerbockers, Merseybeats) only The Poppees brought the sound to a new generation of kids. Lasting only a few months, the band split up with Alexander leaving to form The Sorrows, while Waxman and Lorenzo went on to form The Boyfriends. Each band added the influences to current new wave trends to create the now familiar skinny tie power pop sound. The 18-track “Pop Goes The Anthology” also features never before released recordings, including demos, early live recordings, and culminating with a rip-roaring live performance at CBGB. It is complete with liner notes and unpublished photos. Thanks also goes to BOMP records Greg Shaw for this collection. Beatles fans should not miss this one, it’s essential.

My Space | Amazon | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

Listen to “Jelousy”

New York’s own Mark Bacino is no stranger to power pop greatness. With past efforts like Pop Job…The Long Player! and The Million Dollar Milkshake on my all time great albums list, it was with great anticipation I waited for the next album. Now it’s here and proves that Mark has added maturity and gravitas to his songwriting and he hasn’t lost his pop mojo in the process.  After the idyllic intro we get to the the title track, a love letter to his favorite borough. It’s a rockin’ jam full of guitars, keys and jubilant pop spirit.  Then the album switches gears into a more restrained celebration of domestic bliss starting with the Randy Newmanesque “Happy.” Following that is the album’s highlight – “Muffin In The Oven” with wonderful horn accents, and a killer guitar solo during the break. “Camp Elmo” and “Bridge & Tunnel” are Harry Nilsson inspired tunes about suburban fatherhood. “Middle Town” and “Ballad of M & LJ” continues the sunny laid back atmosphere of his neighborhood in the folky tradition of John Sebastian. A bit out of place is the ballad “Blue Suit,” so somber it threatens the overall positive vibe, but the whimiscal perspective of a local old-timer on “Who Are Yous?” redeem things. Fans of Mark’s earlier work may be disappointed by the lack of “power” in this pop album, but it stands on its own as an intimate and moving self-portrait.  Fans of Paul Simon’s NYC centered songs will find much to cherish here. Listen to the album streaming at markbacino.com

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

I really wanted to dedicate a page to the internet podcasts and radio stations that have power pop bands as the primary playlist. If your favorite power pop internet radio show isn’t listed here, just let me know in the comments. The best stations and podcasts are only a click away!
Internet Power Pop Radio stations