Power Pop

[tbone_ 14105]

Cheap Trick will always be the answer to "who's the best power pop band ever?" 

I feel like Bun E. Carlos has to have some sort of interesting life story that never came out.

[honolulu horn 6158]

18 hours ago, Rip76 said:

Yes sir.

 

What an incredible album. 

[DDD Dad 14322]

On 8/29/2022 at 3:08 PM, jimmyjazz said:

OK, I'm gonna make a couple of counter-arguments:

1.  you didn't know who the fuck SQUEEZE is?

2.  "Tempted" is absolutely, without a doubt, my #1 favorite pop tune of all time.

3.  I strongly suggest you look up the band Ace and Paul Carrack (the singer on "Tempted", save one line by Elvis Costello)

 

Please tell me I misunderstood your post.  Holy fuck.

 

On 8/29/2022 at 3:34 PM, TwiceHorn said:

Two Squeeze faves.

 

Celery, you should check out Singles, cover above.

Is Squeeze power pop?  It almost sounds like throwaway pop, but the lyrics seem to always have an edge or some darkness to them.

 

On 8/29/2022 at 3:37 PM, jimmyjazz said:

It's not "good", it's perfect.  Melody, structure, lyrics.

 

LOL whatever.  Some people don't like "Let It Be", too.

 

On 8/29/2022 at 3:41 PM, TwiceHorn said:

Another:

 

I'm a musical nimrod, but I like all three of those and several others better than Tempted, probably because to me it was overplayed.

I love Cracker, a lot, but hate Low, for the same reason.

 

On 8/29/2022 at 4:07 PM, jimmyjazz said:

"Tempted" is the odd song out for a couple of reasons:  (1) it was their biggest hit on the US rock charts and (2) it wasn't sung by the songwriters.  It still has their DNA all over it.

 

On 8/29/2022 at 9:06 PM, Carl Spackler said:

My wife (no pics) loves 80's music in general but doesn't care for Squeeze.  It's one of her only flaws.  (She does, however, like the song "Tempted," so maybe there's hope.)

Several terrific Squeeze songs are mentioned above.  Here's another one.

 

 

 

On 8/30/2022 at 6:30 PM, TexPx said:

Squeeze faves.
“ There’s a stain on my notebook where your coffee cup was”
Great opening lyrics.

Necro bump but we're going to see Squeeze tonight here in Dallas.  Co-headlining with Boy George.  Anyone go last night in Austin?  Which one of them opened?  (Apparently they are alternating each show).

Also interesting is that Squeeze was often categorized as "New Wave" but the band (in particular Glen Tillbrook) felt they were truly "pop" and also resented that many critics called him and Chris Difford "the next Lennon and McCartney."  

One of my favorite bands from my youth (high school and college) along with Elvis Costello, the Police, the Cars, the Clash, etc., etc.

On 4/8/2024 at 9:32 PM, tbone_ said:

I feel like Bun E. Carlos has to have some sort of interesting life story that never came out.

I caught a pick from Rick Nielsen at one of their concerts back in the day.

[DDD Dad 14322]

On 4/13/2023 at 11:13 AM, jimmyjazz said:

I love that song.  I pretty much love everything Aimee Mann has ever done.

If you haven't seen her episode on Portlandia you definitely should check it out.

[smuggs 9350]

Ah shit. Matthew Sweet had a stroke. 

Godspeed, sir:

 

https://deadline.com/2024/10/matthew-sweet-stroke-1236156672/

 

 

Quote

'90s alt-rocker Matthew Sweet has suffered a 'debilitating' stroke while on tour in Toronto, Canada. The 60-year-old musician, best known for hit songs Girlfriend and I've Been Waiting, now requires weeks of rehabilitation in order to recover from the health scare. Sweet, who also appeared on the soundtrack for the cult 1996 movie The Craft, needs costly medical care including being flown back to the US from Canada. 

To assist with his recovery expenses, his management company have set up a GoFundMe asking fans to donate.

'Our longtime inspiration and dear friend, suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto while in the early days of a national tour,' a statement read. 'He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery. 'We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans. Without insurance or touring income, Matthew faces an enormous financial burden.  'The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew's life, but health care is not free for Americans in Canada. 

The statement continued: 'He must now be flown back to the States on an ambulance transport plane with medical staff on board, to a specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks. 

 

'He will then require months of treatment and rehabilitation that we hope will lead to a full recovery. Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming. We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars. 'Your thoughts, love, and support will mean the world to him. But please donate financially if you possibly can. Matthew will be forever grateful to you.

Fans were quick to pay tribute and support the star, with some in disbelief that he has been forced to ask for financial help. 

'Un-f***ing-believable that someone like Matthew Sweet is just one medical emergency away from being destitute. I wonder how much money Sony makes from Girlfriend streams?' one fan wrote on X.

Sweet emerged from the 80's Athens, Georgia music scene and became a leading figure of the power pop revival in the 90's with the release of his album Girlfriend in 1991. The songs Girlfriend and I've Been Waiting became fan favorites. His next two records, Altered Beast (1993) and 100% Fun (1995) included the popular songs, Time Capsule and Sick of Myself.

 

 

 

[Rip76 4924]

Yeah, that really sucks.

Of course "Girlfriend," but I always really liked this too...

 

[Carl Spackler 3479]

Get well, Mr. Sweet

 

[jimmyjazz 45877]

Dang.  "Girlfriend" is a permanent fixture on my Desert Island Disc list.  Crazy good songwriting.

[Rip76 4924]

15 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Dang.  "Girlfriend" is a permanent fixture on my Desert Island Disc list.  Crazy good songwriting.

I always thought it was brilliant to throw a drum break in that song.

[jimmyjazz 45877]

8 minutes ago, Rip76 said:

I always thought it was brilliant to throw a drum break in that song.

Yeah, although I was referring to the whole album.

[Rip76 4924]

Oh, yes..

I guess I should re-read "Desert Island Disc."