I couldn't agree with your dark horse more. "More Than A Feeling" hits all the bumpers. There was a time a few years ago when I listened to it every morning for over a year. Journaled that shit. As for my dark horse, it will always be Journey's, "Any Way You Want It," for too many damn reasons,
Always for me. The song comes in with a chorus, talks about the girl that loves to laugh, sing, and do everything. Movin', groovin', and the lovin' things, whatever they may be, but it's obviously a roller coaster experience because you gotta hold tight. One more short mention of lovin' things then the ride just speeds along. It's direct. It's not shy as a pop song and as for power, it's got three solos to drive every point home. It's a perfect song.
Your exploration of Power Pop is clearly a gift in an otherwise crappy world. I'm grateful for the read.
I too thought the Dave Clark 5 was a force. I’ll always remember hearing that snare cracking on Bits and Pieces. My Boston selection would have been Something About You. The Romantics album is perfect, perfect I say, although I lean When I Look in Your Eyes. As the resident Tommy Keene expert around these parts, great pick and another perfect album. Even though in my mind every TK album was perfect. Miss him 🥺 Fun read!
Three cheers for The Romantics and Tommy Keene. Both put out a solid number of great guitar pop/power pop. For those who got off The Romantics train after the first album, I recommend National Breakout - the follow up flop to the debut. It’s more in line with their Detroit garage roots but chock full of nice tunes. And now for the predicted commentary on Boston. Growing up in the 70s, I heard the tracks incessantly on AOR radio and that association will always lump them in with their non-power pop overproduced contemporaries of the era. That album was also in my household, and with song clocking in at 4 minutes and 45 seconds, it’s way too long to fall within my scope of power pop. (Fully, recognizing that Shake Some Action isn’t far behind on length) Respectfully dissent.
Here's a little nugget about "More Than a Feeling" that may tip the scales in favor of calling it power pop. Boston's guitarist/mastermind Tom Scholz rarely does interviews, but a few years ago he spoke with my friend and musicologist Andy Aledort. Andy pointed out to Tom some similarities between "More Than a Feeling" and The Left Banke's classic "Walk Away Renee" and Scholz laughed. He told Andy, "Well, it's no coincidence that the lyrics say, "I see my Marianne walkin' away." But does that open up another argument? Was The Left Banke power pop or chamber pop? And then what does that make Boston?
Boston is way underrated.
In general, or as a power pop band?
Both.
I kinda see Joe’s point about this song, but they never personally struck me was power pop. It’s interesting to consider, for sure.
For most of their existence they were basically a two-man band (Scholz and Delp), whereas power pop ensembles tend to be larger, so I get your point.
I couldn't agree with your dark horse more. "More Than A Feeling" hits all the bumpers. There was a time a few years ago when I listened to it every morning for over a year. Journaled that shit. As for my dark horse, it will always be Journey's, "Any Way You Want It," for too many damn reasons,
I love the support for “More Than A Feeling!” Have to admit, “Anyway You Want It” is a new one for me when it comes to power pop conversations.
Always for me. The song comes in with a chorus, talks about the girl that loves to laugh, sing, and do everything. Movin', groovin', and the lovin' things, whatever they may be, but it's obviously a roller coaster experience because you gotta hold tight. One more short mention of lovin' things then the ride just speeds along. It's direct. It's not shy as a pop song and as for power, it's got three solos to drive every point home. It's a perfect song.
Your exploration of Power Pop is clearly a gift in an otherwise crappy world. I'm grateful for the read.
https://youtu.be/atxUuldUcfI?si=ODX4Gar7gNIexgGj
Oh, and harmonies.
I too thought the Dave Clark 5 was a force. I’ll always remember hearing that snare cracking on Bits and Pieces. My Boston selection would have been Something About You. The Romantics album is perfect, perfect I say, although I lean When I Look in Your Eyes. As the resident Tommy Keene expert around these parts, great pick and another perfect album. Even though in my mind every TK album was perfect. Miss him 🥺 Fun read!
Three cheers for The Romantics and Tommy Keene. Both put out a solid number of great guitar pop/power pop. For those who got off The Romantics train after the first album, I recommend National Breakout - the follow up flop to the debut. It’s more in line with their Detroit garage roots but chock full of nice tunes. And now for the predicted commentary on Boston. Growing up in the 70s, I heard the tracks incessantly on AOR radio and that association will always lump them in with their non-power pop overproduced contemporaries of the era. That album was also in my household, and with song clocking in at 4 minutes and 45 seconds, it’s way too long to fall within my scope of power pop. (Fully, recognizing that Shake Some Action isn’t far behind on length) Respectfully dissent.
PS - love IIPP.
Here's a little nugget about "More Than a Feeling" that may tip the scales in favor of calling it power pop. Boston's guitarist/mastermind Tom Scholz rarely does interviews, but a few years ago he spoke with my friend and musicologist Andy Aledort. Andy pointed out to Tom some similarities between "More Than a Feeling" and The Left Banke's classic "Walk Away Renee" and Scholz laughed. He told Andy, "Well, it's no coincidence that the lyrics say, "I see my Marianne walkin' away." But does that open up another argument? Was The Left Banke power pop or chamber pop? And then what does that make Boston?
Interesting! I assumed that line was homage. But I don’t think I ever thought of either band as power pop. Opinions may vary.