10 Must Hear 80’s Power Pop Albums

[keithkarlinsky]

Maybe considered more pop-punk, but Husker Du's 1987 release "Warehouse: Songs and Stories" really shines from start to finish.

[williamcalvert]

Great information.
Always liked Marshall Crenshaw's music and The Smithereens hooked me from the start. Green Thoughts is my favorite of theirs. I'm anxious to check out some of the other groups you highlighted.

[nathanlaney]

Hi Tom:

Great list! I was so glad to see someone mention Hoodoo Gurus! Tom, THAT is an incredible '80s power pop band that you must hear before you die! Particularly "Stoneage Romeos, " "Mars Needs Guitars" and "Magnum Cum Louder!"

I saw the db's when they opened for Squeeze. We played their stuff quite a bit at the record store where I worked. One of my favorite '80s bands!

Another band that I would say falls into this category is The Godfathers. "Birth, School, Work, Death" was a good album and great single. Also, The Rave-Ups. Their "Town + Country" album was a fantastic blend of power pop, country and country rock. Great album, you need to check it out on YouTube!

Thanks for another great video Tom!

[seanrabun]

Glad to see you put The Smithereens Green Thoughts album in and mentioned the song Spellbound. My favorite song by this phenomenal band that never put out a bad album of original material. Easily one of the handful of bands i can put on any album by and not skip a song.

[TZ]

Once you said double album, I thought it would be Lolita Nation; good to see that they are remastering their catalogue. And I thought the other EP was going to be Afoot by Let's Active which I also love. I'm not sure if I caught Code Blue the first go round, but will check it out, and thanks for a fine list. Oh, also good to see that they remastered the first two dbs albums. Great stuff.

[bacarandii]

The Plimsouls were the first band that came to mind when I saw the subject of this video (I have my original LP copy, too!) -- but thanks for pointing me to Game Theory, whose existence had somehow escaped my notice. I will give them a listen. I was also a big fan of The Smithereens and the dB's. The latter's first LP wasn't initially available except as an import (on the Albion label -- still have my original of that one, too). As songwriters and performers, Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey are national treasures -- as they again demonstrated on their wonderful 1991 duo album, "Mavericks." The Canadian pop band The Pursuit of Happiness put out "TPOH" in 1986, featuring the droll, pop-rocking single "I'm an Adult Now, " which I remember got radio play in LA.

[mangrove]

For those unaware, Marshall Crenshaw played Buddy Holly in La Bamba. Another Detroit-born and raised artist.

[kurt]

i also had that first bangles album right after “the hero takes a fall” came out on video. i definitely need to reconnect with it, it’s been a few decades now. also, i want to give a shout out to xtc’s 1989 album “oranges and lemons“ as a great power pop double album that showcases the genius writing and music of andy partridge and colin mounding 😊❤

[alv]

"Like a Girl Jesus" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[craigs]

Thank you! A couple of real bangers here! Happy Festivus!

[drewgeraci]

Marshall Crenshaw should be a household name.

[JonGabriel]

Thanks for the shout-outs to Game Theory and The Three O'Clock. Wore those cassettes into the ground and had to repurchase them.

[kevtruth]

Hi Tom. I read that In 1979 Nick Lowe recorded Labour Of Lust and Dave Edmunds recorded Repeat When Necessary in the same session. And it is the Rockpile personnel that went on to do Seconds Of Pleasure

[sherinameless]

Back in the 1990s, I listened to and recorded Todd Rundgren's radio program "The Difference" every week. That is how I was introduced to The Plimsouls, The Smithereens, Nick Lowe and Dave Edmonds, and so many other artists that became my favorites. I love Power Pop, and guess I owe much of that to Todd. And I love your videos!

[Cap]

I discovered the Bangles "All Over The Place" on one of the streaming services. I came to realize that they were in fact a band as opposed to the MTV makeover that they got thoughout the 1980s. It is eveident that they take their inspiration from the 1960s as they have said. MTV was pretty bad about promoting the sex appeal of women artists during that period. I think that they backed off some during the nineties which had many new feamale groups and single artists many of whom were squarely in the alternative camp. The Bangles really did justice to the Merry Go Round's singe "Live."

[johnw]

You picked some great examples .
I would add :
Squeeze : Argy Bargy. ( my favourite by them )
I would also add the follow up to that album : East Side Story
Nick Lowe : Pure Pop for Now People. ( aka Jesus of Cool ) and Labour of Lust

Cheers !

[johnshaner]

I like the Bangles and Plimsouls. Good call.

[steffiknicks]

Cool list~ just thought i throw in Dwight Twilley-Jungle 1984, First 3 songs A Little Bit Of Love, Girls and Why You Wanna Break My Heart. Classic

[GeeAitch-rr]

I will have to try and find that Code Blue record you showed... I've never heard of them... and as you mentioned them alongside The Knack (whom I love)... it must be a killer. Cheers!

[christianewen]

One of my favourite genres in one of my favourite decades for music, Tom 👏 I am very excited to watch this and it feels like a true Christmas present!

Hope you are having a peaceful festive season and sending my very best wishes for the New Year ahead!

Christian