What is Power pop?

[majorhawke]

I already have a hard time understanding what pop is, now power pop? wouldnt that be the same thing as pop rock? I've herd The Cars and Cheap Trick labeled it, and I want to know, what the hell does it incorperate? It cant be much different from pop rock, since pop implies vocals, and rock implies guitar. So wouldnt the power imply guitar, and pop imply vocals just like pop rock?

[Robinski]

Sounds like something hipsters have come up with to ensure that their love of pop music isn't mainstream.

[majorhawke]

Sounds like something hipsters have come up with to ensure that their love of pop music isn't mainstream.

Well that didnt work out

[Tyler]

Don't believe I've ever heard anyone use that term in the entire history of music. My guess is that it's something Lady Gaga's new album would fall into - the mix of industrial rock elements with the arena rock feel and pop stuff.

 

On the otherhand, I bet Ke$ha calls her stuff power-pop.

[ska]

From Wikipedia:

 

 

Pop rock is a music genre which mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its (typically) guitar-based rock songs. There are varying definitions of the term, ranging from a slower and mellower form of rock music to a subgenre of pop music. Scholars have noted that pop and rock are usually depicted as opposites; the detractors of pop often deride it as a slick, commercial product, less authentic than rock music.

 

 

Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are usually kept to a minimum, and blues elements are largely downplayed. Recordings tend to display production values that lean toward compression and a forceful drum beat. Instruments usually include one or more electric guitars, an electric bass guitar, a drum kit, and sometimes electric keyboards or synthesizers. While its cultural impact has waxed and waned over the decades, power pop is among rock's most enduring subgenres.

 

I honestly cannot tell the difference after reading the two of those. They seem entirely the same.

[Moth]

 

I honestly cannot tell the difference after reading the two of those. They seem entirely the same.

Yeah neither can I. Chances are some one coined the term to call his music seem different, when it really wasn't.

Edited July 4, 2011 by The General.

[majorhawke]

Exactly! I dont see any difference.

[majorhawke]

 

 

Doesnt sound like power pop to me? Sounds like Rock and New wave.

 

I love that ugly album cover face

Edited July 4, 2011 by majorhawke

[Slamman]

Classic Rock on one hand, Power Pop takes it's form from the idea of Power ballads, they proved to catch on with the 70s original I'll Say Goodbye to Love with added guitar that's using distortion in a song at that time was unheard of and pioneered a new direction in soft and hard rock's marriage! That is how to approach the genre idea...

 

See below

 

 

Edited July 13, 2011 by Slamman

[JoshGTAfreak]

I've heard of a lot of bands like Weezer and The Getup Kids being referred to as Power Pop. So I honestly think it is just pop for indie bitches.

[Slamman]

No, WEEZER is a band with some staying power, I got an article on their lead singer Rivers Cuomo in Guitar World AKA GW magazine , he was talking about how like Dave Grohl of Nirvana, a main influence is Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen and other guitar rock and metal bands of the 70s and 80s, but that they took a decidedly more commercial approach. I can scan the article if you don't believe this! haha (he's on the cover)