Comments on: Tragic Magic

Tragic Magic

puny human — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:13:14 -0800

Michael Chabon's Tragic Magic: Reflections On Power Pop, featuring; Big Star - September Gurls: Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Couldn't I Just Tell You: The Records - Starry Eyes: Bram Tchaikovsky - Girl Of My Dreams: Baby Strange - T. Rex.

By: puny human

puny human — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:18:45 -0800

Big Star - Watch The Sunrise

By: escabeche

escabeche — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:25:05 -0800

Wait, is this just where we post YouTube of great power pop? I give you the shoulda-been-huge "High School," by Flashing Lights, out of Halifax, NS.

By: joe lisboa

joe lisboa — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:31:51 -0800

Opened for the Flashing Lights ages ago: good dudes, good tunes. Thanks for the link, puny human. (!) I am a late-comer to the Chabon but I enjoy his not-quite-self-effacing prose.

By: grabbingsand

grabbingsand — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:33:21 -0800

Once again, it's as if a giant cartoon finger is pointing and telling me to just go ahead and buy the Keep an Eye on the Sky box set.

By: gompa

gompa — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:33:54 -0800

Thanks for this. Perfect distraction on a dreary afternoon. I was just listening to "September Gurls" the other day with the volume cranked and I thought: Damn, those have to be the chimiest guitars that ever chimed in a pop song. They chime so much you can almost hear the gist of REM's first half dozen records in that one opening riff. And in the spirit of escabeche's comment, here are the Replacements playing "Alex Chilton," plus a rather muddy version of the Only Ones' "Another Girl Another Planet," which is one of the all-time great power pop anthems no matter who's playing it.

By: Kirk Grim

Kirk Grim — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:35:38 -0800

what's with Halifax and all the great music, anyway? A city with a population of 120,000 has no right producing so many great bands

By: Kirk Grim

Kirk Grim — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:36:39 -0800

that was in response to escabeche btw...I know the bands above arent from Halifax.

By: fancypants

fancypants — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:37:30 -0800

This was great. I love power pop. When I was 16, some friends and I drove from Detroit to Windsor to appear as extras in the video for the Flashing Lights' Elevature. That's still one of my favorite memories from high school.

By: joe lisboa

joe lisboa — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:39:07 -0800

From the essay: True power pop is rueful and celebratory at the same time, glorifying desire and frustration, which is why so many power-pop songs concern themselves with the subject of Tonight, or Tomorrow Night, or Saturday Night, or some other night that will only be perfect for as long as it can be deferred. Depression stalks the genre ... This is both true and well put, though you could argue (as I am sure some will) that is too broad of a characterization. But it rang true for me. Just like the chorus of Ballad of El Goodo.

By: Keith Talent

Keith Talent — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:39:45 -0800

what's with Halifax and all the great music, anyway? A city with a population of 120,000 has no right producing so many great bands posted by Kirk Grim Reykjavík cares to differ.

By: rfs

rfs — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:47:51 -0800

Any Power Pop greats list is incomplete if it doesn't include Dwight Twilley's "I'm On Fire" and The Plimsoul's "Now".

By: escabeche

escabeche — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:47:51 -0800

And in the spirit of escabeche's comment, here are the Replacements playing "Alex Chilton," plus a rather muddy version of the Only Ones' "Another Girl Another Planet," which is one of the all-time great power pop anthems no matter who's playing it. In that case, you're sure to like the Replacements playing "Another Girl Another Planet."

By: davebush

davebush — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:49:52 -0800

Some would argue, but for me it's supreme power pop - I submit the absolutely magical "Field Day" by Marshall Crenshaw. His debut was more highly celebrated, but for my money this is a better album. Perfect music for a summer afternoon.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:51:55 -0800

You want chime? You want harmony? You want it all with a snotty attitude? TELL THAT GIRL TO SHUT UP.

By: joe lisboa

joe lisboa — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:02:06 -0800

Downloading that Crenshaw album now, davebush. Thanks for the recommendation.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:06:57 -0800

I sort of want to sit here and post great powerpop all day but that would be antisocial so instead let me say that much of my world was formed by the cassette I had in my car of D.I.Y. STARRY EYES, U.K. Pop vol 2. Featuring the abovementioned "Girl of my Dreams" and "Starry Eyes," as well as miracles like The Buzzcocks, "Ever Fallen In Love?" The Undertones, "Get Over You" Joe Jackson, "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" The Jags, "Back of my Hand (I've got your number)" The Revillos, "Where's the Boy For Me?" The Tourists, "So Good To Be Back Home Again" Crank these up and pretend you're in your car. You won't regret it. You might want to shut the window if you're going to sing.

By: capnsue

capnsue — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:19:34 -0800

GREAT POST. Damn, Starry Eyes is one of my all time favorite songs. Here's another rad song. it was on the Children of Nuggets box set: Nashville Ramblers - Trains Those Rhino DIY comps changed my damn life!

By: languagehat

languagehat — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:20:51 -0800

Great post. I love Chabon's prose, and I love power pop, so what more could I ask? I wanted to add Marshall Crenshaw's wonderful "Something's Gonna Happen," but all I could find on YouTube was a lame acoustic version. Oh well, here's "Someday Someway," which is almost as great.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:23:34 -0800

Oh, and thanks for introducing me to "Starry Eyes," which I had unaccountably missed out on despite being friends with a crazed Anglophile who introduced me to every other obscure pop band and song of the late '70s/early '80s (including the complete works of The Flamin' Groovies).

By: memewit

memewit — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:25:10 -0800

Re: the Tourists, circa 1980: not the first time I've caught a quick glimpse of Annie Lennox and thought to myself, "Damn, who's that really hot guy?"

By: hydrobatidae

hydrobatidae — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:48:58 -0800

what's with Halifax and all the great music, anyway? A city with a population of 120,000 has no right producing so many great bands For one thing, the urban area around Halifax (including Dartmouth, Bedford) has a population closer to 300,000. But I think the other thing is that a lot of bands stopped their tours in Quebec/Ontario so the music scene in Halifax is made up of locals. Growing up there my friends were always in bands that played in bars; even visiting years later I'm highly likely to know someone in the band. It's just a really welcoming city for local music. Plus there's a bunch of universities there including an art college.

By: mintcake!

mintcake! — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:52:54 -0800

May I offer this version of "Couldn't I Just Tell You," as performed by Utopia during their "suits" period? I don't believe four-piece rock bands have ever exceeded this level of ridiculawesomeness.

By: Sailormom

Sailormom — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:55:37 -0800

Nice post. Here's a couple I've been listening to lately. Phil Seymour - Baby it's You Martin Briley - Salt in My Tears

By: languagehat

languagehat — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:08:48 -0800

Ah, I knew "Starry Eyes" was ringing a bell—I was thinking of the completely different but equally wonderful Roky Erickson song of the same title. Starry eyes forever shall be mine!

By: elmono

elmono — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:11:12 -0800

I just want to contribute the following: Redd Kross - Annie's Gone Myracle Brah - Whisper Softly (live) The Posies- Solar Sister Power pop forever!

By: Bron

Bron — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:12:17 -0800

Let me throw these Shoes into the mix: Tomorrow Night

By: puny human

puny human — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:48:18 -0800

Thanks l-hat. I appreciate that :) god I went through a T. Rex phase when I was a teen. I love them so much.

By: jeffen

jeffen — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:30:39 -0800

Obscure late seventies power-pop so good it might make your cry: The Keys - I Don't Wanna Cry

By: Mael Oui

Mael Oui — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:44:06 -0800

Opened for the Flashing Lights ages ago: good dudes, good tunes. Thanks for the link, puny human. Are the Flashing Lights still in business?!!? This is the exciting news of the day! They're one of the best bands that no one seems to have ever heard of. Aunties and Uncles! Friends You Learn To Hate! I could go on! I won't, but I COULD. Each song more divine than the last, I tell you. FANTASTIC post, puny human! There's nothing better than some good power pop.. and Bram Tchaikovsky and Todd Rundgren is among the best. But Redd Kross IS the best. I can't even choose their best song. Or their best album. My contribution is Go All The Way by the Raspberries. Ooooh, glorious power pop!!

By: IAmDrWorm

IAmDrWorm — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:04:15 -0800

I really becam a big fan during the early '90s revival: Teenage Fanclub - The Concept Matthew Sweet - I've Been Waiting Jellyfish - The King is Half Undressed Material Issue - Valerie Loves Me The Smithereens - A Girl Like You The Posies - Definite Door A few years back I was tracking down albums by these bands. I then rediscovered the 70's era bands and became a fan all over again.

By: Life at Boulton Wynfevers

Life at Boulton Wynfevers — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:01:20 -0800

YouTube is barred here (sob), but I'll add a few shoutouts of my own: Jason Falkner (ex-Jellyfish) Cherry Twister The Orgone Box Love Nut (same guy as Myracle Brah, I think) Wanderlust

By: equalpants

equalpants — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:49:28 -0800

Excellent post, thanks! (And thanks for the Flashing Lights link, escabeche--that's some great stuff; gonna have to check them out some more...) Is everyone in the Scott Miller cult already? Well, just in case: Game Theory - Crash Into June Game Theory - Dripping With Looks Loud Family - Rise of the Chokehold Princess (nope, I don't know what the hell is up with this crazy video, either)

By: elmono

elmono — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:04:38 -0800

Last two. I promise. Cotton Mather - Password Outrageous - If You Want Me In fact check out Rainbow Quartz Records. It's a fantastic record company. Their motto is "Your Source for perfect Guitar Pop".