hey everyone.....

Anyone here like power pop? Meaning guys like Cheap Trick, Badfinger, The Raspberries, Matthew Sweet, Dwight Twilley, etc.?

Or would I be the only one?

Not just you, Cap'n. All you've mentioned are top-notch, and I'd like to add:

dB's ("Stands For Decibels" and "Repercussion" are muy excellente!)
Marshall Crenshaw (Someday, Someway, oohhh)
Big Star (Their first two albums are perfection, and the third one is fa-reaky! Chris Bell RIP)

nope not a fan...

YES! I love this stuff. Agreed that the first two Big Star CD's are almost perfect. "Ballad of El Goodoo" and "September Gurls". Man, the best. I also have a big soft spot for Marshall Crenshaw. Even his average recordings have some brilliant moments. Then there are bands like The Records who aren't so great, but release the perfect song ("Starry Eyes").

I was listening to a band called The Elms yesterday and it reminded me how great early Cheap Trick was. I think Cheap Trick has done some awful music, but they were a pretty big influence early on.

The Romantics "What I Like About You" is pretty much over-played today, but it's another song I think is note for note pure bliss.

Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend" recording. Good stuff.

Raspberries don't do much for me. I can't get over the fact that Eric Carmen went on to be the epitome of cheese (in the worst way).

I'm not a huge Badfinger fan either. I like my power pop with more of an edge, and for me Big Star was the first band to step into the next stage (of course, the Beatles had plenty of edgy songs).

I also love Tommy Keene. And Teenage Fanclub. Oh my, maybe one of the best recordings I've ever heard is "Grand Prix" by Teenage Fanclub.

BTW, if you can download "Hey, Hey" by The Elms... check it out.
Fun and groovy in the Bay City Rollers style!

I really like power pop...Matthew Sweet is excellent; Girlfriend and 100% Fun are two awesome albums (although 100% Fun is a terrible title). Big Star is, of course, amazing (although I saw Alex Chilton open for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and was extremely disappointed).

Might I also suggest...
Fountains of Wayne
Jellyfish
Elgin Park (has anyone else heard of these guys? I absolutely love 'em, and they get no exposure...great sunny pop music)

Fountains Of Wayne are already in my cd "heavy rotation" as are Jellyfish. I must admit I have never heard of Elgin Park till now. I'll have to try and find some of their stuff.

Another name I didn't throw out there was Owsley. His debut album was almost too good!

And as someone said, I kind of agree about Eric Carmen. He wrote alot of great songs with the Raspberries and then he turned a corner somewhere and it was like he was some compleletey different guy.

Amen! How does one go from "Let's Go All the Way" and "Overnight Sensation" to crap like "All By Myself" and "Hungry Eyes"? The mind boggles...