Is It Power Pop?!
PART NINE: Andy Solum
This is a guest post series about power pop featuring some of my favorite music writers. We’ll be sharing a new installment every few weeks or so (while supplies last). Full series here.
Is It Power Pop?
By Andy Solum
I was between the ages of two and eleven in the ’70s, and twelve to twenty-one in the ’80s—two very distinct stages of growing up, in two different decades.
As a young child, I was weaned on Saturday morning cartoons, with songs by The Banana Splits and H.R. Pufnstuf. The Bay City Rollers caught my ear early, and the very first 45 I ever bought was Shaun Cassidy’s “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll.” I also remember my mom playing Endless Summer by The Beach Boys often. Those earworms became permanently lodged in my brain.
In the late ‘70s, a neighbor introduced me to KISS, and I quickly became an ardent recruit in the KISS Army. Songs like “Shout It Out Loud” and Paul Stanley’s “Wouldn’t You Like to Know Me?” had all the hallmarks of what satisfied my growing musical appetite.
This was pure bubblegum to me.
As I hit adolescence, I found myself craving songs with big hooks and soaring choruses—total ear candy. My older brother turned me onto classic AOR bands like Journey, Styx, Foreigner, and Survivor. While I wouldn’t consider them power pop, the common thread was always a strong, catchy melody.
Before I even knew the term “power pop”—which I first encountered in an AOL message board—I had already discovered The Posies’ Dear 23, Adam Schmitt’s World So Bright, and Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend. It felt like I had found my musical home.
From there, it was Not Lame catalogs and Audities magazine. I was in. All the way in. Looking back, I realize I wasn’t just chasing songs, I was chasing a feeling. That spark.
All these years later, power pop still delivers it like nothing else. Here are five of my favorite tracks.
“Rock N’Roll Love Letter” by Bay City Rollers
My favorite BRC track—pure, chewy bubblegum from start to finish. I never tire of it. And the lyric, “Keep on rock and rollin’ ‘til my genes (jeans?) explode,” always cracks me up... though it’s pretty apropos!
“Mary Anne” by Marshall Crenshaw
His first two albums, especially, are absolute gold. Hard to pick just one track, but “Mary Anne” has always been my favorite.
“I Can't Take It” by Cheap Trick
From the masters. That opening jangle, and the propulsive bass so high in the mix, plus Robin's heartfelt delivery. My favorite of many Cheap Trick classics.
“I Can't Get You On My Mind” by Adam Schmitt
Is this from my all time favorite album? It might be. Carrying the legacy of acts like Rick Springfield, Schmitt will always be "the one that got away" as he's proven to be as reclusive as Howard Hughes. He's my "white whale" of podcast guests. Maybe someday...
“Let's Just Stay In Bed All Day” by Linus Of Hollywood
Perhaps my favorite artist of the 21st century, across any genre. His classic songwriting chops are undeniable; he never misses, no matter what project he's involved in. As fellow massive Jellyfish fans, this track hits all the right notes for me. Pure perfection.
Andy Solum is the host of the Pop Fuss podcast, where he shines a spotlight on today’s best emerging power pop, indie pop, and alt-pop artists—along with some beloved veterans of the genre. A Florida native, devoted dad, Tampa Bay sports nut, and proudly obsessive music geek, he brings deep enthusiasm to the music he covers.
Previously On “Is It Power Pop?!”
Is It Power Pop?!
This is a guest post series about power pop featuring some of my favorite music writers. We’ll be sharing a new installment every few weeks or so (while supplies last). Full series here.
We should have been neighbors, man... 😆🤘🏼
I'd never heard of Adam Schmitt. Oh, wow, thank you. I immediately fell in love. I hear some Butch Walker in him.