I know it ruffles purist feathers...but that's why I love this series. It's an interesting, low stakes look at trivial subject matter that is REALLY important to a small group of diehard music lovers (and those adjacent to them). 🙋🏻♂️
Best thing about this series is that (just about) any song/artist is fair game as long as you're willing to defend your choices...and the potential wrath of the power pop purists! I have a feeling Mike could hold his own in a debate, although he'd probably just laugh and walk away.
Liquid Mike is my favorite current band. They are putting out great Guitar Pop, which seems to describe their sound more accurately than Power Pop. Many people would scoff at defining Van Halen or AC/DC as Power Pop, but using Mike's definition, it works. BTW, I've been trying to adopt S.W.'s term "Guitar Pop" to avoid upsetting PP purists.
I'm with you on Liquid Mike. A truly incredible band in many, many ways. I was just singing their praises during a recent podcast interview...and I have two pieces about/including them on the way for Big Takeover. Interestingly, one of them touches on my use of "guitar pop" in a roundabout way. I'm so happy you're adopting that term (I also like "power pop adjacent," which Mike uses here...James from Dazy wrote a whole essay about that term for me a year or two ago).
“Hopelessly optimistic” as the secret sauce of power pop might be the most convincing definition I’ve ever heard.
I really loved that too! I often focus on the nostalgia, which seems connected somehow, but he really hit the nail on the head there.
AC/DC as power pop! An observation that had me reflexively thinking, "No way!" But then, I was, "Wait, un, yeah, they are!"
I know it ruffles purist feathers...but that's why I love this series. It's an interesting, low stakes look at trivial subject matter that is REALLY important to a small group of diehard music lovers (and those adjacent to them). 🙋🏻♂️
We’d love to have you any time! ;)
My husband will be tickled to see Ween in this list!!
Best thing about this series is that (just about) any song/artist is fair game as long as you're willing to defend your choices...and the potential wrath of the power pop purists! I have a feeling Mike could hold his own in a debate, although he'd probably just laugh and walk away.
😄
Liquid Mike is my favorite current band. They are putting out great Guitar Pop, which seems to describe their sound more accurately than Power Pop. Many people would scoff at defining Van Halen or AC/DC as Power Pop, but using Mike's definition, it works. BTW, I've been trying to adopt S.W.'s term "Guitar Pop" to avoid upsetting PP purists.
I'm with you on Liquid Mike. A truly incredible band in many, many ways. I was just singing their praises during a recent podcast interview...and I have two pieces about/including them on the way for Big Takeover. Interestingly, one of them touches on my use of "guitar pop" in a roundabout way. I'm so happy you're adopting that term (I also like "power pop adjacent," which Mike uses here...James from Dazy wrote a whole essay about that term for me a year or two ago).
PS: The power pop purists often arrive upset. 🤘🤣