What Bands Now Have That Killer 60's-70's Bubblegum/Power Pop Sound?
January 25, 2021 6:14 PM Subscribe
I am a HUGE fan of old-school pop and bubblegum music (think early Sonny & Cher, The Cowsills, The Archies, Hermans Hermits, Dave Clark Five, etc.) and power pop (Sweet, New Pornographers, etc.)
What music is out now that scratches this itch? Or any other rec's for GREAT 60-70's pop?
How about the song This Life by Vampire Weekend? Every time I hear it I feel like it must be a cover of something from back then.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:17 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:17 PM on January 25, 2021
Best answer: You’d better stay away from downtown! Yeah, you!
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 6:25 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 6:25 PM on January 25, 2021
Best answer: Original pop from back then? Hard to go wrong with the Tremeloes.
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 6:26 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 6:26 PM on January 25, 2021
I'd try the swingin' sound of The New Pornographers.
Start with some recent stuff like High Ticket Attractions or go old school with The Laws Have Changed.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:27 PM on January 25, 2021
Start with some recent stuff like High Ticket Attractions or go old school with The Laws Have Changed.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:27 PM on January 25, 2021
I think Doves are a darker shade of that bubblegum pop. Check out the song One of These Days
Guided by Voices - check out Christian Animation Torch Carriers
Stars - check out Ageless Beauty
Dandy Warhols - listen to Bohemian Like You
Guster - Amsterdam
Replacements - Left of the Dial
Pavement - especially Gold Soundz
posted by glaucon at 6:28 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Guided by Voices - check out Christian Animation Torch Carriers
Stars - check out Ageless Beauty
Dandy Warhols - listen to Bohemian Like You
Guster - Amsterdam
Replacements - Left of the Dial
Pavement - especially Gold Soundz
posted by glaucon at 6:28 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Lime Cordiale is a good, modern power-ish pop band.
Of the 1960s stuff, I have special love for Tommy Roe, who I think is severely underrated. And seconding, until eternity, The Monkees.
Are you a Nick Lowe fan? If not, sounds like you might wish to become one.
Have you ever traveled to the wonderful world of Curt Boettcher? He was affiliated with some truly wonderful bands: The Association, Millennium, and Sagittarius among them. All superb.
From the 1980s & '90s, I love Dramarama and The Smithereens. The lesser known band The Rave-Ups might have what you're looking for, as well.
And Shonen Knife! And Redd Kross! And Jellyfish!
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:35 PM on January 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Of the 1960s stuff, I have special love for Tommy Roe, who I think is severely underrated. And seconding, until eternity, The Monkees.
Are you a Nick Lowe fan? If not, sounds like you might wish to become one.
Have you ever traveled to the wonderful world of Curt Boettcher? He was affiliated with some truly wonderful bands: The Association, Millennium, and Sagittarius among them. All superb.
From the 1980s & '90s, I love Dramarama and The Smithereens. The lesser known band The Rave-Ups might have what you're looking for, as well.
And Shonen Knife! And Redd Kross! And Jellyfish!
posted by Dr. Wu at 6:35 PM on January 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Annie (specifically 2004's Anniemal, kinda lost track of her after that one), The Posies, seconding Doves and Guster, OK Go, Letters to Cleo (90s), The Sounds.
posted by axiom at 6:41 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by axiom at 6:41 PM on January 25, 2021
Response by poster: The Curt Boettcher recommendation is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! Amazing producer!
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:51 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:51 PM on January 25, 2021
Songs in my 60's Pop playlist:
The Pied Piper (Crispian St. Peters)
The Mighty Quinn (Manfred Mann version)
I Fought the Law (Bobby Fuller Four)
Arizona (Mark Lindsay)
Aquarius / Let the Sun Shine In (The 5th Dimension)
posted by justkevin at 6:53 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
The Pied Piper (Crispian St. Peters)
The Mighty Quinn (Manfred Mann version)
I Fought the Law (Bobby Fuller Four)
Arizona (Mark Lindsay)
Aquarius / Let the Sun Shine In (The 5th Dimension)
posted by justkevin at 6:53 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: FUR is 100% modern indie in the style of 60s pop rock.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:00 PM on January 25, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:00 PM on January 25, 2021 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Dressy Bessy - This May Hurt (A Little)
SIMON I - Fleet Week (a demented concept album of catchy powerpop from the lead singer of Quebec punk band Les Trois Accords. Entirely in English on a Quebecois label, it sank like a stone, unfortunately)
posted by scruss at 7:04 PM on January 25, 2021
SIMON I - Fleet Week (a demented concept album of catchy powerpop from the lead singer of Quebec punk band Les Trois Accords. Entirely in English on a Quebecois label, it sank like a stone, unfortunately)
posted by scruss at 7:04 PM on January 25, 2021
Spotify once put a song by Eytan Mirsky on my "Discover Weekly," which was funny because he's a friend of a friend. I'd seen his name on Facebook, but I had never checked out his music. Once I did, I liked it. A lot of it is just the kind of power pop I dig. Link goes to his Bandcamp.
posted by zorseshoes at 7:14 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by zorseshoes at 7:14 PM on January 25, 2021
Response by poster: FUR is AWESOME! Great pick!
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:14 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 7:14 PM on January 25, 2021
Dude. You lived in Seattle during the era of the Fastbacks and the Posies.
posted by matildaben at 7:36 PM on January 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by matildaben at 7:36 PM on January 25, 2021 [3 favorites]
Foxygen has another modern take on 60s pop revivalism.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:46 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:46 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Find Lickerish Quartet - former members of the late great Jellyfish!
Here's a sample - Lighthouse Spaceship
And if you've never heard Jellyfish's two albums, they're exactly what you're looking for, despite being nearly 30 years old.
posted by MrKellyBlah at 7:51 PM on January 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Here's a sample - Lighthouse Spaceship
And if you've never heard Jellyfish's two albums, they're exactly what you're looking for, despite being nearly 30 years old.
posted by MrKellyBlah at 7:51 PM on January 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Best answer: More ’90s-era recommendations: Material Issue and definitely, DEFINITELY Velvet Crush.
And speaking of Fastbacks — Young Fresh Fellows, the Minus 5, and the like also scratch this same itch for me. Mates of State a bit too.
posted by sesquipedalia at 7:54 PM on January 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
And speaking of Fastbacks — Young Fresh Fellows, the Minus 5, and the like also scratch this same itch for me. Mates of State a bit too.
posted by sesquipedalia at 7:54 PM on January 25, 2021 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Maybe Mooon -- Mary You Wanna?
The That Thing You Do soundtrack?
posted by mpark at 9:00 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
The That Thing You Do soundtrack?
posted by mpark at 9:00 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Cherry Twister!
Fountains of Wayne, of course
posted by Gadarene at 9:19 PM on January 25, 2021
Fountains of Wayne, of course
posted by Gadarene at 9:19 PM on January 25, 2021
A few years old now - but Middle of the Road by Denim - fits the bill, I think.
posted by rongorongo at 9:54 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by rongorongo at 9:54 PM on January 25, 2021
Best answer: The Black Angels tend to a darker, psych sound, but their fourth record Indigo Meadow (known in our house as “the jangly one”) might scratch your itch!
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 10:06 PM on January 25, 2021
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 10:06 PM on January 25, 2021
Not all of their music fits your particular bill, but Komeda definitely has their 60s power pop moments.
posted by transitional procedures at 10:16 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by transitional procedures at 10:16 PM on January 25, 2021 [1 favorite]
In Color by Cheap Trick, 1977. Pretty much every song on this album is Beatle-esque, gorgeous power pop. But this is my favourite cut: Come On, Come On.
posted by lemon_icing at 1:59 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by lemon_icing at 1:59 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Hatchie is pretty excellent. I like these two in particular.
posted by h00py at 2:44 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by h00py at 2:44 AM on January 26, 2021
Haven't seen The Mamas and the Papas here yet. California Dreamin' is the best pop 60s song in the world.
posted by nantucket at 2:49 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by nantucket at 2:49 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Would recommend the eponymous album by Silver Sun for some of this vibe. For Golden Skin for example.
posted by rongorongo at 2:49 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by rongorongo at 2:49 AM on January 26, 2021
Best answer: Sloan is a goldmine IMO. It's not remotely "now" but it's my Canadian patriotic duty to share:
The Lines You Amend
The Good in Everyone
Everything You've Done Wrong
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 3:31 AM on January 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
The Lines You Amend
The Good in Everyone
Everything You've Done Wrong
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 3:31 AM on January 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
The Dirtbombs in general, but specifically, the Dirtbombs put out a Bubblegum tribute album Ooey Gooey Chewey Ka-Blooey!
posted by 1970s Antihero at 4:27 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by 1970s Antihero at 4:27 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Tuscadero, who sadly are no longer a band. Their album The Pink Album is great fun.
posted by archimago at 4:33 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by archimago at 4:33 AM on January 26, 2021
Kinda surprised no one has mentioned Weezer yet.
I think that Candy Butchers fit the bill too, although lyrically a bit darker. Check out "Till You Die" or "Cupid Complained to Venus".
Their lead singer, MIke Viola, provided vocals for "That Thing You Do" by The Wonders, from the Tom Hanks movie. The song was written by Adam Schlesinger of the previously mentioned (and seconded) Fountains of Wayne.
posted by neilbert at 7:00 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
I think that Candy Butchers fit the bill too, although lyrically a bit darker. Check out "Till You Die" or "Cupid Complained to Venus".
Their lead singer, MIke Viola, provided vocals for "That Thing You Do" by The Wonders, from the Tom Hanks movie. The song was written by Adam Schlesinger of the previously mentioned (and seconded) Fountains of Wayne.
posted by neilbert at 7:00 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Give the Wombats a go!
posted by freshwater at 7:02 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by freshwater at 7:02 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Sloan is a goldmine IMO. It's not remotely "now" but it's my Canadian patriotic duty to share
Sloan is now! They’re still putting out albums, I saw them on tour last year, and two of their members have been doing Zoom solo shows during the pandemic for $10 CAD! Chris Murphy has another show coming up February 7th.
In support of Sloan I’ll throw our TUNS, which Is Chris Murphy from Sloan, Mike O'Neill of The Inbreds, and Matt Murphy of The Super Friendz. Here’s a few tracks (they just have one album and some singles, one of which was just released in 2021): Mixed Messages and Mind Over Matter. For more Canadians, there’s The Flashing Lights.
There was a whole big twee pop movement in the Pacific Northwest US in the late 90s/early 00s if you’re not aware that you would probably like. A few bands with that sound are Tullycraft (Pop songs your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid to Know About), Barcelona (Kasey Keller), The Salteens (Nice Day), Beulah (Gene Autry), The Apples in Stereo (Go), Wolfie (Mockhouse), The Lucksmiths (Self-Preservation)...
I’m assuming you know about all the Britpop from the 90s. Look further than Blur and Oasis — Pulp, Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, Lush, The Boo Radleys, Bis, Menswear, Elastica, The Lightning Seeds all have some some songs that you would like.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:22 AM on January 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Sloan is now! They’re still putting out albums, I saw them on tour last year, and two of their members have been doing Zoom solo shows during the pandemic for $10 CAD! Chris Murphy has another show coming up February 7th.
In support of Sloan I’ll throw our TUNS, which Is Chris Murphy from Sloan, Mike O'Neill of The Inbreds, and Matt Murphy of The Super Friendz. Here’s a few tracks (they just have one album and some singles, one of which was just released in 2021): Mixed Messages and Mind Over Matter. For more Canadians, there’s The Flashing Lights.
There was a whole big twee pop movement in the Pacific Northwest US in the late 90s/early 00s if you’re not aware that you would probably like. A few bands with that sound are Tullycraft (Pop songs your New Boyfriend’s Too Stupid to Know About), Barcelona (Kasey Keller), The Salteens (Nice Day), Beulah (Gene Autry), The Apples in Stereo (Go), Wolfie (Mockhouse), The Lucksmiths (Self-Preservation)...
I’m assuming you know about all the Britpop from the 90s. Look further than Blur and Oasis — Pulp, Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, Lush, The Boo Radleys, Bis, Menswear, Elastica, The Lightning Seeds all have some some songs that you would like.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:22 AM on January 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
Oldies: Badfinger, the Raspberries, Big Star (some songs, some are legit not very polished and kind of overrated in my opinion), Easybeats, the Left Bank, The Zombies (more on them in a second), Cheap Trick, and XTC.
Newer: If you like New Pornographers, you might also like AC Newman's first band Zumpano. Zumpano had a similar style of the New Pornographers, but also covered nearly every Zombies song between b-sides and concerts. They also covered lots of Burt Bacharach from the 1960s.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:24 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Newer: If you like New Pornographers, you might also like AC Newman's first band Zumpano. Zumpano had a similar style of the New Pornographers, but also covered nearly every Zombies song between b-sides and concerts. They also covered lots of Burt Bacharach from the 1960s.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:24 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Numero Group has put out a number of compilations from lesser known and hyper-regional scenes if you like obscure compilations. This is stuff that might not have been widely released, but there are some gems. Try:
Lows in the Mid Sixties “ This set of roughhewn cobblestones was culled from the remnants of Cavern Sound—Independence, Missouri’s subterranean studio of choice— and covers that thin swath of the late sixties when American teens were imitating the Beatles. All of the artists here barely mustered a session of cover tunes, much less a single...”
Buttons Starter Pack
Buttons: From Champaign to Chicago
Titan: It’s All Pop.
These are leaning more 70s than 60s. The only downside is if you like a song on here good luck finding any more of their music.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:49 AM on January 26, 2021
Lows in the Mid Sixties “ This set of roughhewn cobblestones was culled from the remnants of Cavern Sound—Independence, Missouri’s subterranean studio of choice— and covers that thin swath of the late sixties when American teens were imitating the Beatles. All of the artists here barely mustered a session of cover tunes, much less a single...”
Buttons Starter Pack
Buttons: From Champaign to Chicago
Titan: It’s All Pop.
These are leaning more 70s than 60s. The only downside is if you like a song on here good luck finding any more of their music.
posted by Bunglegirl at 8:49 AM on January 26, 2021
How about Vanity Fare - "Hitchin' a ride" : https://youtu.be/s4pArjPVA-8
posted by james33 at 9:12 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by james33 at 9:12 AM on January 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
No idea what the rest of their stuff is like, but I love The Mooney Suzuki singing Love Bus.
posted by JanetLand at 9:16 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by JanetLand at 9:16 AM on January 26, 2021
Response by poster: Okay - VELVET CRUSH and the Lickerish Quartet are PERFECTO! Lighthouse Spaceship is about a perfect a song as I can imagine for this thread. Keep these rec's coming!
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 9:52 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 9:52 AM on January 26, 2021
Response by poster: Silver Sun is incredible! What a hook!
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 10:07 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 10:07 AM on January 26, 2021
Response by poster: Dude. You lived in Seattle during the era of the Fastbacks and the Posies.
posted by matildaben at 7:36 PM on January 25
Matildaben! I know, I know. But in my own defense, I didn't listen to that much pop music (or didn't know I loved it so much) back then. I was way more into bands like My Morning Jacket etc. and the whole Posies thing blew by me. It wasn't until I heard Herman's Hermits that my brain exploded for it.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 10:15 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by matildaben at 7:36 PM on January 25
Matildaben! I know, I know. But in my own defense, I didn't listen to that much pop music (or didn't know I loved it so much) back then. I was way more into bands like My Morning Jacket etc. and the whole Posies thing blew by me. It wasn't until I heard Herman's Hermits that my brain exploded for it.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 10:15 AM on January 26, 2021
No power pop post is complete without referencing Power Pop Pop Pop.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 10:59 AM on January 26, 2021
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 10:59 AM on January 26, 2021
You should really listen to Clay Pigeon's amazing morning show on WFMU. 6-9 am Eastern US time, every weekday.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 11:09 AM on January 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 11:09 AM on January 26, 2021 [3 favorites]
The High Llamas were pretty poppy but they also leaned lounge. They did some nice Brian Wilson homage.
posted by ovvl at 3:56 PM on January 26, 2021
posted by ovvl at 3:56 PM on January 26, 2021
Best answer: You want Cotton Mather, formed in the 90s in Austin. I would start out with their sublime sophomore effort Kon Tiki; thoughtful and Beatlesque. Then, probably their debut album, Cotton is King. Here's "My Before and After" from the former album and "Lost My Motto," the opener to the latter one.
posted by Carouselle at 9:40 PM on January 26, 2021
posted by Carouselle at 9:40 PM on January 26, 2021
Maybe try Scissor Sisters, here's a good one to start out with (YTL) TakeYourMama . Also Mika, here's (YTL) Grace Kelly
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:17 PM on January 27, 2021
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:17 PM on January 27, 2021
Response by poster: @WalterWestridge:
See you and raise you, sir. One of my favorite bands.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:31 PM on January 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
See you and raise you, sir. One of my favorite bands.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:31 PM on January 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Two bands both led by the same (now deceased) song writer: Game Theory and the Loud Family. For example: Idiot Son.
posted by Ipsifendus at 10:32 AM on January 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Ipsifendus at 10:32 AM on January 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by FencingGal at 6:17 PM on January 25, 2021 [3 favorites]