http://www.notlame.com/Page_1/PBPOWERPOPBOOK.html

Ok, I pre-ordered this well over a year ago, (pre-production to see if there was enough interest before going to press) and it arrived this evening.

HOLY COW!!!

I can't wait until the power pop fans among us get this book... just so the conversations, arguements, recommendations start.

If you are a Power Pop fan (and really, aren't a lot of us?) you gotta get a copy of this book. And I haven't even listened to the enclosed cd of rarities yet. I have been listening to albums the author, John M. Borack writes about that I haven't listened to in a while. And isn't that why a book like this is so fun anyway?

Thanks!! My order is in!

Thanks, I am ordering mine as well! Christmas is coming early to my house!

Rick A.

After a couple days with the book (and no, I still haven't listened to the cd yet.) ...

A couple of omissions (In my opinion) (which the author acknowledges and expects)
Too Much Joy - Son of Sam I Am or Cereal Killers
The Fags - Light 'em Up
Vegas Demilo - Motel California


A couple of discussion starters:

1. Are the Beatles power pop or not?

2. Is a bands designation as "power pop" dependant on NOT having mainstream success?

I have not received my book yet, but Bruce at Not Lame assures me that it is in the mail, so I thought I would add my two-bits to the discussion (adjusted for inflation, ya know)

This book looks to be an indispensible guide to music, perhaps the definitive book on power pop (although I am not aware of much competition in that regard). I really look forward to digging in, and not only finding out more about some of my favorite artists, but also gaining exposure to those that I am not familiar with.



Personally, I have never really considered The Beatles to be part of the "power pop" genre, more of a historical precursor who laid some of the foundations for others to follow. They fall squarely into the "Pop" category, though, and some of their tunes have all of the difficult-to-define elements which make up a "power pop" song, but I still think of The Beatles as a genre of their own.



Many peoples' definitions of "Power Pop" include the likes of Raspberries, Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, The Smithereens, Matthew Sweet, and many others who enjoyed at least some measure of mainstream success. I don't think you can make such a sweeping statement about success and/or the lack of it, but that is just my humble opinion, and of course I was not consulted when they first came up with the term "Power Pop".


Here is a little food for thought: could Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" be considered a Power Pop song?

NPNPNP,

That is an intriguing question! It does seem to have all of the hallmarks. . . .

Jay

Regarding the Beatles question, I think some of their things could definitely be considered power pop ("It Won't Be Long" being one that immediately springs to mind but there are dozens more). Modern day power pop groups seldom have the variety of material that the Beatles had even on their earliest releases. Instead they focus on just one part of what the Beatles did. While I enjoy a lot of them, I would like to hear them broaden their focus sometimes.

As for the second question, I think NoPhoneNoPool answered it perfectly above...

Never thought the book would ever see the light of day. My copy arrived a week & half ago. The cd that's enclosed with the book is very nice.

Just got an email from PopGeekHeaven about an update / reissue on this:

SHAKE SOME ACTION - Redux
- In 2007, John M. Borack wrote, oversaw and delivered one of the great bibles of the power pop genre, "SHAKE SOME ACTION: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide". It has been out of print since 2008. John is fully updating the book with new additions and other updates. Details arriving in June - shipping Fall, 2015

I missed out the first time. Said to contain lots of lists. Here's one, the 200 Greatest Power Pop Albums (only 1 album per artist):

http://rateyourmusic.com/list/jgnikkila ... op_albums/