Search - Various Artists :: Poptopia!: Power Pop Classics Of The '70's

Something worthwhile from the lost decade!!

mjkvol | Lanoka Harbor, NJ United States | 12/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's remarkable that amidst all the garbage passing for music in the '70's, Rhino was able (as it seems only they can!) to compile this gem of a collection. It's easy to quibble about certain selections, but the important thing is bringing to light artists who NEVER got their due, or have been unjustly forgotten. Examples include the Flamin' Groovies (Shake Some Action might just be the all-time "shoulda been a hit"), Big Star (what can I say that hasn't been said already - how many bands today owe a huge debt to these guys?), The Records, Bram Tchaikovsky (I'd love to see "Strange Man, Changed Man" come back in print), and Shoes. Anyone who likes guitar-based pop with hooks that grab you around the throat and won't let go, and that you can't get out of your mind for days, get this disc, slap it on, and lose yourself in pure pop heaven! The only danger is , you'll start to think things like "Let's see, Starland Vocal Band had a monster hit in the '70's, but nobody ever heard of Big Star...""

Must Have

newwave407 | 08/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge fan of power pop and if you are too you might already be familar with most of these songs. If you are just getting into this great genre this is a wonderful starting off point. I could probably write a review on each of these songs but I will spare you that! This collection has so many definative Power Pop tunes such as the shimmering September Girls, the bubblegumish I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, and the soaring Starry Eyes. While it's hard to pick a favorite song on this album, the reason i bought it in the first place is Bram Tcaikovsky's Girl of My Dreams. This is a great 'lost' song of the seventies."

4 1/2 Stars: Great Series From Rhino

D.C. Hanoy | Athens, GA USA | 05/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"another great compilation from rhino. they make the 70's pop music scene look much better than it really was. for the most part, the obvious choices are here (the artists, not necessarily the songs) - raspberries, badfinger, big star, cheap trick - as well as some who are just as deserving but less well-known - nick lowe, dwight twilley, flamin' groovies. as we all know, cds can never replace vinyl albums as far as the packaging goes, due to size limitations, but rhino sure gives it a helluva try. the packaging in the poptopia series is A+. the booklets have short but interesting essays (many by the featured performers), there are abbreviated band histories, great photos, several of the original 45 covers, and great "pop" artwork (in bright primary colors). even the jewel case is a small marvel: the tray card (beneath the cd spindle/holder) is a 3d depiction of a 45 record spinning on a turntable! unfortunately, as is often the case with rhino releases, this entire series went out-of-print shortly after it first appeared."