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Power Pop Heaven
#1 Record/Radio City#1 Record/Radio City by Big Star
Buy used from: £13.95
Power Pop ground zero. The beginning of the extremely enjoyable but often tragically ignored genre of music.
No DiceNo Dice by Badfinger
Buy new: £11.98 / Used from: £5.75
The most notable British contribution to the birth of this predominantly American music.
Fresh RaspberriesFresh Raspberries by The Raspberries
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £6.44
One of the early pioneers and the sweetest. The focal point of the band is Eric Carmen before he became degraded into poor man's Barry Manilow
Sincerely/Twilley Don't MindSincerely/Twilley Don't Mind by Dwight Twilley
Buy new: £11.98 / Used from: £26.38
Fantastic first 2 albums by the rocking duo from Tulsa who combined sweet melodies with an Elvis-like R&B.
Heaven TonightHeaven Tonight by Cheap Trick
Buy used from: £21.55
Arguably the biggest band in power pop's brief heyday in the late 1970's. This is perhaps their best all-around album though there are better-known albums including the classic At Budokan.
Black Vinyl ShoesBlack Vinyl Shoes by Shoes
Buy used from: £12.50
An absolute gem of an album. The debut album from the greatest unsung heroes of the genre recorded in thier living room. Lo-fi ear candy at its best.
The Beat/The Kids Are the SameThe Beat/The Kids Are the Same by Paul Collins' Beat
Buy new: £12.19 / Used from: £11.06
The band that forced the namesake English ska band to change their name to The English Beat. An exciting debut from the legendary Nerves alumnus Paul Collins and co.
20/20/Look Out!20/20/Look Out! by 20
Buy used from: £59.36
Power pop with a New Wave twist. Slightly quirky but full of exuberance. Their highly touted first 2 albums in one package. 20/20 is a classic. Lookout every bit as good.
Back to the Drawing BoardBack to the Drawing Board by The Rubinoos
Buy used from: £72.41
A bit bubblegum-ish and decidedly Seventies. But they sure can write cracking melodies full of innocent charm. A good clean fun.
Labour of LustLabour of Lust by Nick Lowe
Buy used from: £35.00
Brits don't do power pop very often. But when they do it, they always come up with some of the best. One of the undisputed classics from the great man.
Strange Man, Changed ManStrange Man, Changed Man by Bram Tchaikovsky
Buy used from: £29.99
Another British veteran hailed from country's rich and beloved pub rock tradition. 'Girl of My Dream' alone is worth the price of admission,
Shades in BedShades in Bed by The Records
Buy new: £8.28 / Used from: £7.49
The British band that gave us arguably the greatest power pop anthem of all time, 'Starry Eyes'.
Dirty Looks/Turn It UpDirty Looks/Turn It Up by Dirty Looks
Buy new: £15.69
The band who played gutsy, punchy power pop in the vein of The Who. Fabulous debut album combined with so-so follow-up.
The PlimsoulsThe Plimsouls by The Plimsouls
Buy used from: £42.49
Exhilarating debut album from the band led by Peter Case, another alumnus of the Nerves.
Stands For Decibels/repercussionStands For Decibels/repercussion by The dB's
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Daring, intelligent, experimental power pop with a hint of Brian Wilson and Alex Chilton.
Cypress / AfootCypress / Afoot by Let's Active
Buy new: £16.09 / Used from: £12.10
Even weirder than Chris Stamey's contributions to the dB's. Darker off-kilter power pop from the man who produced REM's best works.
All Over the PlaceAll Over the Place by Bangles
Buy new: £16.59 / Used from: £10.50
A surprisingly good album. Packed with one great song after another. Much better than their greatest hits album and that says it all.
Stoneage RomeosStoneage Romeos by The Hoodoo Gurus
Buy used from: £7.95
Pure unadulterated fun. These guys can rock too.
Joyrides for Shut-InsJoyrides for Shut-Ins by The Cavedogs
Buy used from: £5.20
Tense, passionate and bloody exciting. Mission of Burma of Power Pop, perhaps?
GirlfriendGirlfriend by Matthew Sweet
Buy new: £14.19 / Used from: £2.46
Excellent debut album by the King of Power Pop of the 1990's. A gripping stuff that gets stronger and stronger towards the end.
Grand PrixGrand Prix by Teenage Fanclub
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.95
Teenage Fanclub at the pinnacle of their powers. One of all-time classics in the pantheon of Power Pop masterpieces.
Frosting On The BeaterFrosting On The Beater by The Posies
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £1.45
Power pop meets grunge. Highly addictive and sickeningly sweet metal-coated sugar.
Teenage Symphonies to GodTeenage Symphonies to God by Velvet Crush
Buy used from: £2.88
One of the greatest 90's power pop with some country flavour thrown in for good measure. Intimate, warm and thoroughly engaging.
KontikiKontiki by Cotton Mather
Buy used from: £30.99
Even the hot tips from Noel Gallagher couldn't stop their commercial failure and the inevitable split-up. The sound of the Fab Four if they were still around in the 90's.
Godspeed the ShazamGodspeed the Shazam by The Shazam
Buy new: £24.49 / Used from: £7.69
Unbelievably anachronistic and bombastic but catchier than flu. The best album that ELO never made.