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| From | Bob Hutton <bobhutton@btinternet.com> |
| Subject | My all-time 20 pop greatest |
| Date | Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:40:49 +0000 |
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I should maybe preface this by explaining that I am pretty much a
3-chords guitar/bass/drum/vox typeof guy. Anyway here goes.
1. Ramones - Rocket To Russia
The brutishness of the guitars were reigned back, the tunes refined
and this was probably the last album where Ramones tunes actually
'swung' (listen to the likes of Locket Love for proof ). This was
them at their absolute peak, recording-wise.
2. Weezer - Green Album
Certainly their simplest songs but also their poppiest in my view.
3.Mark Bacino - Pop Job
A well-spring of joyous bubblegum pop.
4. Undertones - s/t
Great rollicking stuff from Derry's finest, esp. when the label had
the sense to re-release it with Teenage Kicks and Get Over You included.
5. Elvis Costello - This Year's Model
This album almost defines classic power-pop. Elvis never again
sounded so lean, taut and edgy.
6. The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night
13 Lennon-McCartney originals, brimming with joie-de-vivre and
encapsulating what living at the epicentre of Beatle-mania must have
been like.
7. Cheap Trick - At Budokan (The Complete Concert)
I think the added crunch on this live album improves the cracking
songs, which in studio incarnation sounded neutered at times. They
certainly don't here!
8. Davenports - s/t
This was a sheer unexpected delight when I got it - I can put this
album on any time and lose myself in its quirky yet dreamy melodies. A
Klass act.
9. Nick Heyward - Apple Bed
Nick turn the amps up for this great set of powerful Brit-pop tunes,
as unlike Haircut 100 as could be.
10. Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
I think this one nicks it as the better of their two albums based
on a higher rockiness quotient. The melodies are still great too though.
11. Silversun - s/t
Man, I played this one to death when I got it and I still enjoy it's
lyrically crazy but sonically sweet charms. Bull's blood for Baby Jesus
indeed.
12 The Vandalias - buzzbomb!
I saw their final gig (in Chicago) and Dan Sarka dedicated the 1-2
punch of the title track followed up by Big Red Catalina to the Scotsman
who just arrived in the bar, so how could I leave this one out?
13. Montgomery Cliffs - s/t
One of my earliest and most rewarding purchases from NotLame, even
if I did think they were singing about poor curry (bad korma) in one song.
14. Dickies - Dawn of the Dickies
A great American band at their pop pinnacle on this brief marvellous
album. Another one I played until I'd nearly worn through the vinyl.
15. Tsar - s/t
Yes, Kathy Fong IS the bomb. Hints of glam (The Sweet) meet modern
pop-punk in glorious style.
16. The Shazam - Tomorrow the World
I could have picked any of their first three albums, this band are
possibly my favourite of recent years. However I picked this one
because I saw them promote it at IPO Chicago and it was one of the
most fun shows I'd ever seen, bringing RAWK to the pop table.
17. Kelly's Heels - Dig In
A marvellous Aussie compilation of the best of Kelly's Heels first
three albums (not including his cracking "Neither Use Nor Ornament",
which was my #1 pick for 2007's best-of list).
18. Splitsville - Repeater
I have all this band's albums, but I think (as I've said before) the
first 4 tracks on this one lift it into the power-pop stratosphere.
19. Chris Von Sneidern - Wood and Wire
Now Chris is more of a crooner, but this is maybe the album where he
gets closest to rocking out. Includes the sublime Circles.
20. Blue Cartoon - The Wonder of It All
Another great band, and it all came together with a bang on this
cracking album, their best in my opinion.
Bubbling under:
Michael Carpenter - Baby - another NotLame winner
Lolas - Silver Dollar Sunday or Ballerina Breakout - I could
have happily included either
FoW - s/t - I don't think they ever recaptured the vibe they
caught on their wonderful debut
Brad Jones - Gilt Flake - This guy is too talented for his
own good!
Raspberries - Greatest - I agree with others that their
albums can be inconsistent, but you can't go wrong with a Best-Of package.
OK, all done, over and out.
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