Pop, But Not Popular

Hi folks. Your very own Music Junkie is back on hand to give your playlists some new life. If one person finds one song they really like, I have done my job. Hopefully more "take a chance on me", to quote both Abba, and Roxy Music.

Today we will discuss some really great Pop music, that did not register on most peoples musical radar screens. I love my raucous Punk music, and bizarre Post Punk variations that I know are hard for many people to wrap their heads around, so today I cater to the type that just loves Pop harmonies, and crisp chord structures, and tasteful rhythms. I was inspired this morning to make this my topic, by a band called Nada Surf. Great band for this very accessible sound. Albums from 2003 and 2005 called Let Go, and The Weight as a Gift have some really pretty songs. Blizzard of '77, Happy Kid, and Fruit Fly are great classic Power Pop. The 3 favorite cuts from 2005's album, dial it up for even more perfectly executed Pop. "Always Love" was an inspiring tune at the time for me, for I had just met Diane. This song gives me chills. Blankest Year, and Imaginary Friends are just fun as well. Check out Nada Surf, and look out for a new album they have coming out of just covers. They do a fantastic version of the Go-Betweens, "Love Goes On" that is just hitting satellite radio on XMU.

Another band who supremely gets this aesthetic is Canada's Indie supergroup called "The New Pornographers". By far one of the last decades most important bands, these guys have brilliant albums, not just a few strong songs here, but albums you can listen to from front to back. Starting with a breathtaking first release, "Mass Romantic" has brilliant tunes such as the title track opener, and a very scrumptious guitar hook on "The Fake Headlines. "The Body Says No" is also a fun tune. Electric Version, the second album offers a couple of my favorite tracks of NP, with "Electric Version", "The Laws Have Changed", and "All for Swinging You Around" which all display the great vocal punctuality of Neko Case, AC Newman, and Dan Bejar, who all have their own solo gigs bearing fruit in indie circles. Next was probably the greatest album of theirs with 2005's Twin Cinema. Also make sure to check out "Use It, and do not miss the greatest song they have done "Sing Me Spanish Techno"
They would release Challengers in 2007 and are working on a new album now. Keep an eye out.

Honorable Mentions in recent years - Pop that was not all that Popular

The Delgados
Eels
Bell X1
Beulah
Jens Lekman
Mates of State
Tegan and Sara

Sorry, got to keep it short today.

Explore music and it endless bounty.

That is all.

Randy