Another great list! Can't wait for your take on the '70s. Sorry to hear of Sweet's illness. He's a fave (as well as his work with Suzanna Hoffs). Happy New Year!
Oh, man. Matthew Sweet! Girlfriend was a HUGE part of my college playlist. An awesome girl I was seeing turned me on to him. Saw him at the Cabaret Metro. Material Issue opened. I was living in Chicago and the music scene was electric. Smashing Pumpkins, Urge Overkill, and Liz Phair were all about to hit and you catch all kinds of classic pop like The Cars and Cheap Trick still.
Awesome list Tom ! I have 6 of your choice at home , didn't know The Grays and my only Del Amitri's album, the eponymous from 1985 sounds likeweak english indie Pop; if you don't mind let me introduce my five champions : 1 - The Posies "Amazing Disgrace " (1996) : "Daily mutilation", "Ontario", "Please return it", "Terrorized"..... great album following the excellent "Froasting on the beater" from that band badly confused with the Grunge. 2 - The fantastic debut album by Fountains of Wayne in 1996 as well : nothing to add to your description, super album like all this band's discography ("Welcome interstate managers" is their masterpiece despite it lengh. 3 - Nada Surf "The Proximity effect" (1998) : starting with "Hyperspace" and "Amateur" plus "80 Windows", "Firecracker", "Robot", this second's Nada Surf is a much better than their debut. 4 - Teenage Fanclub "Songs from Nothern Britain" (1997) ends the wonderful loop started by "Bandwagonesque" followed by "Grand Prix", "Thirteen" : "Start again", "Ain't that enough", "Your love is the place where i come from", "Mount Everest"....not a bad song on that record ! 5 - The Lemonheads "It's a shame about Ray" (1992), Evan Dando at his peak with the precious help of Juliana Hatfield : "Rockin stroll", "Confetti", "My drug buddy", "Hanna and Gabi".....a classic and one of my favourite album. ...I was about to forget a quite unknow one, "Via Satellite" by Super Deluxe (1997) : i purchased that album recommanded by a seller in a small record shop and he was absolutly right : from "your pleasure's mine" to "Years ago " Via Satellite is a real festival of Power Pop well sung and played with good melodies.
Since your top ten included eight of my favorites, I will definitely check out the other two. I must have listened to "Girlfriend" a zillion times back in the 90s, and since I recently decided to get back to the music that makes me happy, I've played a bunch more times. His other early ones are really good too, but I too like this one the best. While I really like "Copper Blue," I prefer Sugar's "File Under Easy Listening" because it's lighter, I guess. A couple of months ago for fun I bought 100 loose CD discs for $25, and started listening to the ones I thought seemed interesting. "Some Other Sucker's Parade" was among them. I loved it, and was surprised I'd never heard of it before. So happy to hear it get some love. I learned of Jelly Fish from Todd Rundgren's radio show, and bought "Belly Button" back in the day. I recently bought a used copy of "Spilt Milk," and it's great too. Anyway, another great video. Thanks. And thanks for letting us know about Matthew Sweet. I hope he recovers soon.
Jellyfish's 1993's "Spilt Milk", World Party's "Egyptology", Fountain of Wayne's, "Utopia Parkway", and Aimee Mann's, "Whatever". That was her first solo recording from '93, produced by Jon Brion.
One of my favorite artists in this genre is Richard X. Heyman. He released one major-label album, Hey Man! (1990), but since then he has put out many albums on small or independent labels, including the brilliant Cornerstone (1998). In the tradition of the great figures of melodic rock such as Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, and Emitt Rhodes, RXH writes thoughtful, beautifully crafted songs, and he plays most of the instruments himself. Falling Away, the lead track on Hey Man!, is one of those songs that pulls you in from the first five notes and holds your attention for the rest of the album. A lot of his songs are like that. Definitely worth checking out.
I got The Grays CD as a teen in the free bin at the local record shop, best deal ever!!! Great choices here from most of the big bands, I would include Jason Falkner Presents Author Unknown, Weezer's Blue album and any of the big 4 from Sloan.
Hey Tom. When you said you contributed to Matthew Sweet's Gofundme I got choked up - kid you not. Great list of 90s power pop. I'll contribute a couple: The Posies Frosting On The Beater is quite good. I wonder if the Urge Overkill guys were buds with this other Chicago band called Fig Dish - they released a power pop gem in 1997: When Shove Goes Back To Push. Rock on.
Great to see Fountains of Wayne and Jellyfish make the list . Jason Falkners solo album “ presents author unknown” is as good as the Jellyfish albums . Grand prix is my favourite TF album . The first Ben Folds Five album is a fantastic album ( is it power pop , probably)
Every one of those are fantastic. I totally forgot both Del Amitri ,The Grays and Urge Overkill. The first Foutains of Wayne is phenomenal. The first Teenage Fanclub. Damn. These aren’t just forgotten albums with a couple of great tunes. They’re amazing beginning to end.
Actually that TFC album is their second...their debut was called "A Catholic Education" and its a lot noisier, not as melodic, hooky or harmonious, but every band has their beginnings...as great as "Bandwagonesque" is, i find their 3 following albums even better...Thirteen, Grand Prix & Songs From Northern Britain...great list, but i would have only put 1 album per artist, otherwise too heavy on that artist...agree on the Posies, any of their Geffen titles...but i would also include the Marvelous 3's Hey Album (1998), Weezer's Blue album (1994) and why no female bands or female fronted bands?? To be honest, females make the best powerpop...Letters To Cleo, Veruca Salt & the Muffs being just 3 examples...
Thank you for these new power pop recommendations . I’m still listening to your 80s recommendations, like The Three O’Clock and Game Theory which are great . I know some of these recommendations like Sugar , Urge Overkill and Jellyfish , but I look forward to exploring Del Amitri and the Grays . Thanks !
Great picks. Will check out the ones I haven’t heard. Right on with the Matthew Sweet records! Love the pink vinyl. I had hoped to see him in NYC in October. I also contributed to his gofundme. Wishing you all the best in 2025!
Yay, I finally hit 100%. My ranking would have differed though. My taste would have had Jellyfish at #1, Grays #2, Sweet #3... I also would have substituted Teenage symphonies to god for Heavy Changes. Great job!
A big shout-out for The Wondermints debut and Bali albums.............power pop poetry in motion! Fountains Of Wayne, Lemonheads, Matthew Sweet and Sugar's File Under Easy Listening are tops of my power pops!!!
Those Matthew Sweet records are indeed the bomb! My last band used to play "Sick of Myself". You should really check out Flop, from seattle in early to mid 90's. They put out 3 albums of slightly skewed power pop, very edgy and unique. "Whenever You're Ready" is probably their best record IMO. Great band, and one of my all time favorites.
Hey Tom, great choice of power pop stuff from the 90's. Another good album from Matthew Sweet, "Altered Beast", and Sugar, "File Under Easy Listening" Happy New Year!!
Great list, Tom. Nice to give love to Matthew Sweet. A couple of others that pop into my mind: Concrete Blonde's "Bloodletting" (1994); Material Issue's "International Pop Overthrow"; The Church "Megaopolis"; Paul Westerberg's "14 Songs"; Another one by Fountains Of Wayne -"Welcome Interstate Managers"; Ben Folds Five's "Whatever And Ever, Amen"; The Smithereens "Blow Up" (although I'm more partial to their '80s work).
I wasn't listening to full albums by new artists during this era--l was receptive to the music, but l was listening to vintage blues and jazz at the time and l had the attention span of a shrew. Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet is as good as you say, and I'm With Stupid by Aimee Mann occupied a special place in my heart. For individual songs, these are particular favorites: "Kim The Waitress" by Material Issue. Not only is this one of the prettiest songs l've ever heard in my life, but it rings true. I fell madly in love with several waitresses during this time. "Going, Going, Gone" by the Posies. Revolver era Beatles done right. "Tractor Rape Chain" by Guided by Voices. Too lo-fi to be true power pop? Maybe. But for songwriting and performance, it's right in the wheelhouse.
I'm With Stupid is probably the album I have played the most over the years. "Make a Killing" and "You Leave Me No Choice" are probably my favorites from it; Aimee just does those lovely, catchy songs with biting lyrics so brilliantly.
Again, I wasn't listening to much pop in those days, so I don't have a lot to add. Did notice Teenage Fan club (thank you, Seattle Public Library), but much preferred their next album, Thirteen. I was a huge fan of Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend trilogy", and continue to listen to this day. The rest of your top ten await my attention. Oh, wait, I have heard Fountains Of Wayne on Michael Shelley's WFMU show and liked it, but never bought it. In one ear and out the other. Two bands that I was *super* into, and are borderline fits for this survey, are Shonen Knife and The Young Fresh Fellows. Crazy about them both, saw the girls two and a half times, bought all their original lineup CDs and the fan club package, and got autographs. The Fellows I saw once, opening for The Soft Boys, and bought all their records. They could do letter-perfect covers of The Kinks, The Flamin' Groovies, or The Young Rascals, but play harder when necessary.
A few more from me… - Cheap Trick - s/t (1997) - The Chevelles - At Second Glance - The Lemonheads - It’s a Shame About Ray - Overwhelming Colorfast - s/t - The Smithereens - Blow Up
I'd go with most of your choices here. I've never or heard The Grays. I listened to Del Amitri years ago but don't remember it well enough to have an opinion about it. My wife remains a power pop fan, in particular Fountains of Wayne (I introduced her to Adam Schlesinger's other, earlier band, Ivy, around the time Schlesinger succumbed to covid. She was upset. She loved Matthew Sweet's 'Girlfriend' album back when I first met her. Along with Bandwagonesque and Saturation I'd add Lemonhead's 'It's a Shame About Ray' to the list.
I have to add a brand new favorite to this list: Global, by The Cowsills. Yes, The Cowsills! Global was recorded in 1992, released in 1998 to little notice (the band issued only 3,000 copies), and then re-released in late 2024. Our favorite singing siblings from the 1960s are now all grown up and making outstanding and original melodic rock and power pop for adults. Global is absolutely superb from start to finish, filled with chiming guitars, gorgeous melodies, and those amazing family harmonies. The Cowsills also get some in-studio help from friends like Vicki Peterson (The Bangles), Berton Averre (The Knack) and Peter Holsapple (The dBs). Songs like What About Love, She Said to Me, and the single What I Believe are just a few of the gems in this buried treasure chest. I hope that this record gets the recognition that it deserves, the second time around! By the way, does it still count as a Stellar 90's Power Pop Album even if hardly anybody heard it until the 2020s? 🤔
Great video, I do prefer Fountains of Wayne second album "Utopia Parkway". International Pop Overthrow - Material Issue (1991) The debut album by Nada Surf (1996) was promising, but their third Let Go (2002) was definitely a classic. Listened to the Del Amitri song. Top notch, first time hearing it.
Copper Blue, agreed, a good idea to get a vinyl copy of that. Also, Del Amitri, Waking Hours is a killer LP, but you hinted that you are aware of that fact. Innaresting video.
I'd forgotten what a great decade the '90s was for power pop -- usually associated with the '70s and '80s. My Seattle friends (who were just into their 20s in the early '90s, when "Saturation" came out) were into Urge Overkill -- and the Pixies, Sugar, Matthew Sweet, Teenage Fanclub, early Weezer and some of the other, more ferocious distorted-guitar pop/rock bands of the time, as well as Nirvana and Soundgarden and Alice in Chains and Mudhoney. "Copper Blue" is one of my all-time favorite records.
Cool list . Earlier UO is great "Supersonic Story Book" is the one for me. Same with Teenage Fanclub ... "God knows it's true" is brilliant. I would throw "Twice removed" by Sloan in with those picks.
Happy new year 25, "You am I - Hourly Daily (96)", "Brendan Benson - One Miississipi (96)", "Cotton Mather - Kontiki (97)". Ok for" Ro Sham Bo", I just listened Matthew Sweet - Girlfirend, it's a good record 😀
Sugar, I think, is also an extension of Mould's previous solo album Black Sheets of Rain. The songs Too Late and Hear Me Calling have the same power pop vibe he explores on Copper Blue. BSOR is somewhat heavier, a precursor to grunge some might say, especially on the opening and closing tracks, but in some respects sounds like it could have been the first Sugar album. Regarding Matthew Sweet, Girlfriend and 100% Fun are fine, but for some reason I've always preferred the album sandwiched between them, Altered Beast. Must be my depressive nature or something!
Matthew Sweet's "In Reverse" is also a great album, if less "power poppy". The track 'Thunderstorm' is an all-time great. I actually prefer 'Utopia Parkway' to Fountains of Wayne's debut. Three more: Dishwalla - Pet Your Friends (maybe sneaky R&B-infused pop, but a really solid album) Dovetail Joint - 001: An excellent example of the genre, but like most of the period, was largely ignore in favor of grunge Dada - Puzzle: An AMAZING album, with amazing production. Not in a sense of crafting a sound, but a real emphasis on the live sound of the instruments and vocals. Probably the most underrated album of the entire decade ...
Hey Cape-o......Another year hitting us in the face...Damn! So...As far as power pop in the 90's There is a band you have to check out if you already haven't..The band is Material Issue a power pop trio out of Chicago...Jim Ellison was the Songwriter and guitarist..He wrote some of the best power pop tunes in that era. The lp that I think is solid thru-out is "International Pop Overthrow" Just a master piece. Songs "Diane", Renee Remainds The Same", "Crazy" stand outs...But the whole album is Great!1 Unfortunately Ellison took his own life in 1996...Another Great talent lost. Cape definitely check this one out!!!! Would love to hear your input........
@@tomrobinson5776 Great! Yes, Material Issue were on their way then...Grunge hit and BOOM....Everything changed.....Material Issue had the worst possible timing ever! Jim Ellison would have been a force.. the guy just had that magical thing.....Please leave a update for the "Crew"...Thanks!
I'm afraid I saw Teenage Fanclub's career damaging SNL performance and read the scathing review Bandwagonesque received in Rolling Stone, so I never really gave them a chance. I do remember souvenir moneybags in the record stores. I don't know that I have enough 90's power-pop to even make a top 10, but two big favorites of mine would be Come On Feel The Lemonheads and the Connells One Simple Word, if you'd call them power-pop. We just considered it "college rock" back then.
No Loud Family? They're one of my favorite bands and a couple of their albums I would say are all around great, which came out in the 90s. I would say that they're certainly power pop, even if elements of their sound are more experimental and more eclectic than that genre usually has...
I don’t know if i’d call even half of this power pop. Interesting. I can’t think of a 90s power pop list without Weezer in it. I surely wouldn’t call them pop punk. And “alternative” is waaay to overarching of an umbrella-term for any logical, detailed music description. No Weezer on a 90s power pop list? Weird.
How about: Greenberry Woods: “Rapple Dapple” Caulfields: “Whirlygig” Dillon Fence: “Rosemary” This Perfect Day: eponymous Devlins: “Waiting” Connells: “Ring” And it’s pretty obvious, but this deserves a mention: New Radicals: “Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too”
Fountains of Wayne is one of those albums that would be 10/10 perfect if it weren't for that absolute stinker Leave The Biker. It's the reason God put skip buttons on CDs. The follow up, Utopia Parkway is even better.
Just started watching. I hope Superdrag’s debut is in here.
Another great list! Can't wait for your take on the '70s.
Sorry to hear of Sweet's illness. He's a fave (as well as his work with Suzanna Hoffs).
Happy New Year!
Happy 2025!
Yeah they have that great cover of And Your Bird Can Sing
Material Issue's International Pop Overthrow in 1991 was well recieved.
The drumming on Sugar's If I Can't Change Your Mind is incredible.
Oh yeah! I love the snare on Gee Angel
Oh, man. Matthew Sweet! Girlfriend was a HUGE part of my college playlist. An awesome girl I was seeing turned me on to him. Saw him at the Cabaret Metro. Material Issue opened. I was living in Chicago and the music scene was electric. Smashing Pumpkins, Urge Overkill, and Liz Phair were all about to hit and you catch all kinds of classic pop like The Cars and Cheap Trick still.
The Apples in Stereo
Awesome list Tom !
I have 6 of your choice at home , didn't know The Grays and my only Del Amitri's album, the eponymous from 1985 sounds likeweak english indie Pop; if you don't mind let me introduce my five champions :
1 - The Posies "Amazing Disgrace " (1996) : "Daily mutilation", "Ontario", "Please return it", "Terrorized"..... great album following the excellent "Froasting on the beater" from that band badly confused with the Grunge.
2 - The fantastic debut album by Fountains of Wayne in 1996 as well : nothing to add to your description, super album like all this band's discography ("Welcome interstate managers" is their masterpiece despite it lengh.
3 - Nada Surf "The Proximity effect" (1998) : starting with "Hyperspace" and "Amateur" plus "80 Windows", "Firecracker", "Robot", this second's Nada Surf is a much better than their debut.
4 - Teenage Fanclub "Songs from Nothern Britain" (1997) ends the wonderful loop started by "Bandwagonesque" followed by "Grand Prix", "Thirteen" : "Start again", "Ain't that enough", "Your love is the place where i come from", "Mount Everest"....not a bad song on that record !
5 - The Lemonheads "It's a shame about Ray" (1992), Evan Dando at his peak with the precious help of Juliana Hatfield : "Rockin stroll", "Confetti", "My drug buddy", "Hanna and Gabi".....a classic and one of my favourite album.
...I was about to forget a quite unknow one, "Via Satellite" by Super Deluxe (1997) : i purchased that album recommanded by a seller in a small record shop and he was absolutly right : from "your pleasure's mine" to "Years ago " Via Satellite is a real festival of Power Pop well sung and played with good melodies.
@@patriceleformal3047 Nice! I meant to include It’s A Shame About Ray but totally spaced out and forgot. 😉
Hi Tom. Love the range of your musical taste. Lots of music I'm not familiar with. Thanks for sharing your musical knowledge with us.
@@KyleWessels-c8z You’re welcome. 😊
Since your top ten included eight of my favorites, I will definitely check out the other two.
I must have listened to "Girlfriend" a zillion times back in the 90s, and since I recently decided to get back to the music that makes me happy, I've played a bunch more times. His other early ones are really good too, but I too like this one the best.
While I really like "Copper Blue," I prefer Sugar's "File Under Easy Listening" because it's lighter, I guess.
A couple of months ago for fun I bought 100 loose CD discs for $25, and started listening to the ones I thought seemed interesting. "Some Other Sucker's Parade" was among them. I loved it, and was surprised I'd never heard of it before. So happy to hear it get some love.
I learned of Jelly Fish from Todd Rundgren's radio show, and bought "Belly Button" back in the day. I recently bought a used copy of "Spilt Milk," and it's great too.
Anyway, another great video. Thanks. And thanks for letting us know about Matthew Sweet. I hope he recovers soon.
Great picks for 90s power pop.
I silently cheered when you showed The Grays CD. Not too many people remember that one.
You nailed it… so many favs in this under appreciated decade of music.
Toy Matinee’s album came out in 1990, and I’d call it power pop.
Jellyfish's 1993's "Spilt Milk", World Party's "Egyptology", Fountain of Wayne's, "Utopia Parkway", and Aimee Mann's, "Whatever". That was her first solo recording from '93, produced by Jon Brion.
@@brtherjohn “Whatever” is a gem. 😉
Teenage Fanclub are one of my favorites, but I like about 3 others of theirs more than Bandwagonesque.
One of my favorite artists in this genre is Richard X. Heyman. He released one major-label album, Hey Man! (1990), but since then he has put out many albums on small or independent labels, including the brilliant Cornerstone (1998). In the tradition of the great figures of melodic rock such as Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, and Emitt Rhodes, RXH writes thoughtful, beautifully crafted songs, and he plays most of the instruments himself. Falling Away, the lead track on Hey Man!, is one of those songs that pulls you in from the first five notes and holds your attention for the rest of the album. A lot of his songs are like that. Definitely worth checking out.
@@GreenManalishiUSA I’m in. I’ll check it out. 😉
I got The Grays CD as a teen in the free bin at the local record shop, best deal ever!!! Great choices here from most of the big bands, I would include Jason Falkner Presents Author Unknown, Weezer's Blue album and any of the big 4 from Sloan.
Hey Tom. When you said you contributed to Matthew Sweet's Gofundme I got choked up - kid you not. Great list of 90s power pop. I'll contribute a couple: The Posies Frosting On The Beater is quite good. I wonder if the Urge Overkill guys were buds with this other Chicago band called Fig Dish - they released a power pop gem in 1997: When Shove Goes Back To Push. Rock on.
@@kevtruth The Posies had some great material. Saw them open for The Replacements back in 1991. Great night of music. 😉
Great to see Fountains of Wayne and Jellyfish make the list . Jason Falkners solo album “ presents author unknown” is as good as the Jellyfish albums . Grand prix is my favourite TF album . The first Ben Folds Five album is a fantastic album ( is it power pop , probably)
Every one of those are fantastic. I totally forgot both Del Amitri ,The Grays and Urge Overkill. The first Foutains of Wayne is phenomenal. The first Teenage Fanclub. Damn. These aren’t just forgotten albums with a couple of great tunes. They’re amazing beginning to end.
Actually that TFC album is their second...their debut was called "A Catholic Education" and its a lot noisier, not as melodic, hooky or harmonious, but every band has their beginnings...as great as "Bandwagonesque" is, i find their 3 following albums even better...Thirteen, Grand Prix & Songs From Northern Britain...great list, but i would have only put 1 album per artist, otherwise too heavy on that artist...agree on the Posies, any of their Geffen titles...but i would also include the Marvelous 3's Hey Album (1998), Weezer's Blue album (1994) and why no female bands or female fronted bands?? To be honest, females make the best powerpop...Letters To Cleo, Veruca Salt & the Muffs being just 3 examples...
@ yes., The Muffs!.
Thank you for these new power pop recommendations .
I’m still listening to your 80s recommendations, like The Three O’Clock and Game Theory which are great .
I know some of these recommendations like Sugar , Urge Overkill and Jellyfish , but I look forward to exploring Del Amitri and the Grays .
Thanks !
Great picks. Will check out the ones I haven’t heard. Right on with the Matthew Sweet records! Love the pink vinyl. I had hoped to see him in NYC in October. I also contributed to his gofundme. Wishing you all the best in 2025!
@@electronbluepearl8591 You as well. Have a great year ahead. 😉
I'm curious if you considered The Posies? I feel Frosting on the Beater should be on this list.
awesome album !!
@@VoiceofHarold1 Great album. I need to get that off the shelf and play it. It’s been years…
Excellent list! I like that you showed all CD's, as it made it more authentically 90's.
Jellyfish Spilt Milk should also be on this list!
Yay, I finally hit 100%. My ranking would have differed though. My taste would have had Jellyfish at #1, Grays #2, Sweet #3... I also would have substituted Teenage symphonies to god for Heavy Changes. Great job!
A big shout-out for The Wondermints debut and Bali albums.............power pop poetry in motion! Fountains Of Wayne, Lemonheads, Matthew Sweet and Sugar's File Under Easy Listening are tops of my power pops!!!
Those Matthew Sweet records are indeed the bomb! My last band used to play "Sick of Myself". You should really check out Flop, from seattle in early to mid 90's. They put out 3 albums of slightly skewed power pop, very edgy and unique. "Whenever You're Ready" is probably their best record IMO. Great band, and one of my all time favorites.
@@senatorjimdracula1603 Sounds cool. I’ll add it to my list. 😉
Hey Tom, great choice of power pop stuff from the 90's. Another good album from Matthew Sweet, "Altered Beast", and Sugar, "File Under Easy Listening" Happy New Year!!
@@michaeldowd5115 Happy 2025 😊
Great list, Tom. Nice to give love to Matthew Sweet. A couple of others that pop into my mind: Concrete Blonde's "Bloodletting" (1994); Material Issue's "International Pop Overthrow"; The Church "Megaopolis"; Paul Westerberg's "14 Songs"; Another one by Fountains Of Wayne -"Welcome Interstate Managers"; Ben Folds Five's "Whatever And Ever, Amen"; The Smithereens "Blow Up" (although I'm more partial to their '80s work).
@@mickeylonchar Love that first Westerberg solo album. 😉
I wasn't listening to full albums by new artists during this era--l was receptive to the music, but l was listening to vintage blues and jazz at the time and l had the attention span of a shrew. Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet is as good as you say, and I'm With Stupid by Aimee Mann occupied a special place in my heart. For individual songs, these are particular favorites:
"Kim The Waitress" by Material Issue. Not only is this one of the prettiest songs l've ever heard in my life, but it rings true. I fell madly in love with several waitresses during this time.
"Going, Going, Gone" by the Posies. Revolver era Beatles done right.
"Tractor Rape Chain" by Guided by Voices. Too lo-fi to be true power pop? Maybe. But for songwriting and performance, it's right in the wheelhouse.
I'm With Stupid is probably the album I have played the most over the years. "Make a Killing" and "You Leave Me No Choice" are probably my favorites from it; Aimee just does those lovely, catchy songs with biting lyrics so brilliantly.
@@mattrobbins2268 I have to check out Material Issue. A lot of positive comments about this band.
Again, I wasn't listening to much pop in those days, so I don't have a lot to add. Did notice Teenage Fan club (thank you, Seattle Public Library), but much preferred their next album, Thirteen. I was a huge fan of Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend trilogy", and continue to listen to this day. The rest of your top ten await my attention. Oh, wait, I have heard Fountains Of Wayne on Michael Shelley's WFMU show and liked it, but never bought it. In one ear and out the other. Two bands that I was *super* into, and are borderline fits for this survey, are Shonen Knife and The Young Fresh Fellows. Crazy about them both, saw the girls two and a half times, bought all their original lineup CDs and the fan club package, and got autographs. The Fellows I saw once, opening for The Soft Boys, and bought all their records. They could do letter-perfect covers of The Kinks, The Flamin' Groovies, or The Young Rascals, but play harder when necessary.
A few more from me…
- Cheap Trick - s/t (1997)
- The Chevelles - At Second Glance
- The Lemonheads - It’s a Shame About Ray
- Overwhelming Colorfast - s/t
- The Smithereens - Blow Up
Great additions. I love "It's a Shame About Ray" - the album and the song. The duet version with Julianna Hatfield is superb.
@@JaredLitherland I meant to include It’s A Shame About Ray on the list but totally spaced out. 😉
I'd go with most of your choices here. I've never or heard The Grays. I listened to Del Amitri years ago but don't remember it well enough to have an opinion about it. My wife remains a power pop fan, in particular Fountains of Wayne (I introduced her to Adam Schlesinger's other, earlier band, Ivy, around the time Schlesinger succumbed to covid. She was upset. She loved Matthew Sweet's 'Girlfriend' album back when I first met her. Along with Bandwagonesque and Saturation I'd add Lemonhead's 'It's a Shame About Ray' to the list.
I totally forgot about that Lemonheads album. What a gem!
@ Agreed, a real gem.
I have to add a brand new favorite to this list: Global, by The Cowsills. Yes, The Cowsills! Global was recorded in 1992, released in 1998 to little notice (the band issued only 3,000 copies), and then re-released in late 2024. Our favorite singing siblings from the 1960s are now all grown up and making outstanding and original melodic rock and power pop for adults. Global is absolutely superb from start to finish, filled with chiming guitars, gorgeous melodies, and those amazing family harmonies. The Cowsills also get some in-studio help from friends like Vicki Peterson (The Bangles), Berton Averre (The Knack) and Peter Holsapple (The dBs). Songs like What About Love, She Said to Me, and the single What I Believe are just a few of the gems in this buried treasure chest. I hope that this record gets the recognition that it deserves, the second time around! By the way, does it still count as a Stellar 90's Power Pop Album even if hardly anybody heard it until the 2020s? 🤔
@@GreenManalishiUSA Sure, why not? 😉
Great video, I do prefer Fountains of Wayne second album "Utopia Parkway".
International Pop Overthrow - Material Issue (1991)
The debut album by Nada Surf (1996) was promising, but their third Let Go (2002) was definitely a classic.
Listened to the Del Amitri song.
Top notch, first time hearing it.
Cast - All Change
Thank you Tom
And happy new year
@@williamrankin2418 Happy 2025!
Best Wishes and Happy New Year Tom!
@@curtdilger6235 Happy New Year to you as well 😊
Copper Blue, agreed, a good idea to get a vinyl copy of that. Also, Del Amitri, Waking Hours is a killer LP, but you hinted that you are aware of that fact. Innaresting video.
Thanks for the video! Will check out some these except for Matthew Sweet who I’m already a fan! 😊😊😊😊😊
Material Issue big fan of this group album
I'd forgotten what a great decade the '90s was for power pop -- usually associated with the '70s and '80s. My Seattle friends (who were just into their 20s in the early '90s, when "Saturation" came out) were into Urge Overkill -- and the Pixies, Sugar, Matthew Sweet, Teenage Fanclub, early Weezer and some of the other, more ferocious distorted-guitar pop/rock bands of the time, as well as Nirvana and Soundgarden and Alice in Chains and Mudhoney. "Copper Blue" is one of my all-time favorite records.
I could not get enough of Letters to Cleo’s debut album Aurora Gory Alice from 1993. Great power pop.
@@delweena Never heard it. I’ll add it to my list. 😉
Cool list . Earlier UO is great "Supersonic Story Book" is the one for me. Same with Teenage Fanclub ... "God knows it's true" is brilliant. I would throw "Twice removed" by Sloan in with those picks.
Happy new year 25, "You am I - Hourly Daily (96)", "Brendan Benson - One Miississipi (96)", "Cotton Mather - Kontiki (97)". Ok for" Ro Sham Bo", I just listened Matthew Sweet - Girlfirend, it's a good record 😀
Sugar, I think, is also an extension of Mould's previous solo album Black Sheets of Rain. The songs Too Late and Hear Me Calling have the same power pop vibe he explores on Copper Blue. BSOR is somewhat heavier, a precursor to grunge some might say, especially on the opening and closing tracks, but in some respects sounds like it could have been the first Sugar album. Regarding Matthew Sweet, Girlfriend and 100% Fun are fine, but for some reason I've always preferred the album sandwiched between them, Altered Beast. Must be my depressive nature or something!
@@chrisboerger465 Altered Beast is an awesome album. Life Without You and Reaching Out are two of my personal faves.
@@tomrobinson5776 Yeah, Reaching Out is fantastic!
Spilt Milk and Copper Blue are both in my top 20 albums!
Matthew Sweet's "In Reverse" is also a great album, if less "power poppy". The track 'Thunderstorm' is an all-time great. I actually prefer 'Utopia Parkway' to Fountains of Wayne's debut.
Three more:
Dishwalla - Pet Your Friends (maybe sneaky R&B-infused pop, but a really solid album)
Dovetail Joint - 001: An excellent example of the genre, but like most of the period, was largely ignore in favor of grunge
Dada - Puzzle: An AMAZING album, with amazing production. Not in a sense of crafting a sound, but a real emphasis on the live sound of the instruments and vocals. Probably the most underrated album of the entire decade ...
@@jricoc3475 I remember seeing Dada at a small venue called Club 88 in LA back in the early 90’s. Great show.
Great list!
Matthew Sweet, agreed! Altered Beast is another great one he did!
@@johnobrien5561 Absolutely, fine album. 😉
Hey Cape-o......Another year hitting us in the face...Damn! So...As far as power pop in the 90's
There is a band you have to check out if you already haven't..The band is Material Issue a power pop
trio out of Chicago...Jim Ellison was the Songwriter and guitarist..He wrote some of the best power pop tunes in that era.
The lp that I think is solid thru-out is "International Pop Overthrow" Just a master piece. Songs "Diane", Renee Remainds
The Same", "Crazy" stand outs...But the whole album is Great!1 Unfortunately Ellison took his own life in 1996...Another
Great talent lost. Cape definitely check this one out!!!! Would love to hear your input........
@@newspapertaxis1 I gotta check out Material Issue as others have cited their greatness. Heard the name, but not the music. It’s on my list. 😉
@@tomrobinson5776 Great! Yes, Material Issue were on their way then...Grunge hit and BOOM....Everything changed.....Material Issue had the worst possible timing ever! Jim Ellison would have been a force.. the guy just had that magical thing.....Please leave a update for the "Crew"...Thanks!
I'm afraid I saw Teenage Fanclub's career damaging SNL performance and read the scathing review Bandwagonesque received in Rolling Stone, so I never really gave them a chance. I do remember souvenir moneybags in the record stores.
I don't know that I have enough 90's power-pop to even make a top 10, but two big favorites of mine would be Come On Feel The Lemonheads and the Connells One Simple Word, if you'd call them power-pop. We just considered it "college rock" back then.
I would include that Posies Frosting on the beater as well.
Yes! 🙌🏻
No Loud Family? They're one of my favorite bands and a couple of their albums I would say are all around great, which came out in the 90s. I would say that they're certainly power pop, even if elements of their sound are more experimental and more eclectic than that genre usually has...
I don’t know if i’d call even half of this power pop. Interesting. I can’t think of a 90s power pop list without Weezer in it. I surely wouldn’t call them pop punk. And “alternative” is waaay to overarching of an umbrella-term for any logical, detailed music description. No Weezer on a 90s power pop list? Weird.
I saw Matthew Sweet with Richard Lloyd and it was the loudest show I've ever seen. My ears physically hurt afterwards.
@@whitneybeehler I hear ya! 😉
Something you should check out from the power pop 90's: WÜNDERBAND and their self titled full length album. It's good stuff. NYC band.
@@Split_Aura I’ll check it out. 😉
Yes...This
Sick Day...thats hilarious. Need one.
How about:
Greenberry Woods: “Rapple Dapple”
Caulfields: “Whirlygig”
Dillon Fence: “Rosemary”
This Perfect Day: eponymous
Devlins: “Waiting”
Connells: “Ring”
And it’s pretty obvious, but this deserves a mention: New Radicals: “Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too”
@@WarpedRecord I need to pick up that New Radicals album. Loved the hit, but never explored the rest of the album.
@ Check it out! It’s a solid album start to finish. It sounds a lot like a Todd Rundgren record, which is high praise but a bit of a distraction.
When “Power Pop” became a thing.
Both Tahiti 80 albums Puzzle/ Wallpaper For The Soul are power pop gems........check them out!
@@Rosyglowofchristmas Will do 😉
Matthew Sweet wanted to name the album Nothing Lasts but Tuesday Weld's people threatened him with litigation
@@DefaultName-yw6sr That’s right. I remember hearing that…
Teenage Fanclub: 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Fountains of Wayne is one of those albums that would be 10/10 perfect if it weren't for that absolute stinker Leave The Biker. It's the reason God put skip buttons on CDs. The follow up, Utopia Parkway is even better.
How about I Should Coco by Supergrass... power pop punk perhaps... hi energy! 1995.
That’s a great album. Saw them open for Radiohead back in 2003. They kicked ass!
Saturation has not found enough ears👍
Anything by Fastball.
@@adamjohnson5910 Love the album All The Pain Money Can Buy. Great stuff.