Customer Reviews

Poptopia!: Power Pop Classics Of The '90's

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this CD, having been lead to it by the links from Matthew Sweet and Velvet Crush, and am now physically incapable of removing it from my car CD player. I don't generally buy compilations or soundtracks due to the uneven quality, but this disc is amazingly consistent in quality, while showcasing a variety of bands and styles. High points for me - Gigolo Aunts,Wondermints, and Velocity Girl..

Every now and then I need to find some new bands, and this album was just the thing. Lot's of great bands. I've found a bunch of new favorites in here and picked up a bunch of new CDs based on this album. If you are bored of your current music collection and are looking for some new CDs to add to your collection, then buy this CD.

I recently bought this CD, and I am definitely not disappointed! Matthew Sweet and Jellyfish are two of the best acts ever, and I love the cuts by the Lemonheads, Wondermints, and Gigolo Aunts. But the highlight for me is "Same Thing" by the Grays, a great band whose excellent first and only album, "Ro Sham Bo" (sp) is sadly unavailable...I've been desperately trying to find a copy for a fellow fan whose copy was lost, but it seems to no longer be in print. This album is an excellent addition to my collection that will be living in my CD deck from now on!

Track listing
1. I've Been Waiting - Matthew Sweet
2. That Is Why - Jellyfish
3. Twisterella - Ride
4. Cope - Gigolo Aunts
5. Rollin' Down the Hill - The Rembrandts
6. Jessica Something - Tearaways
7. Solar Sister - The Posies
8. Proto-Pretty - The Wondermints
9. Into Your Arms - The Lemonheads
10. Lady in the Front Row - Redd Kross
11. Same Thing - The Grays
12. Reasons - The Rooks
13. Trampoline - The Greenberry Woods
14. I Can't Stop Smiling - Velocity Girl
15. Hold Me Up - Velvet Crush
16. Party Rages On, The - Zumpano
17. Every Minute - P. Hux
18. You're All Forgiven - Idle Wilds

I picked this CD up back in '98 on a whim because I was a big fan of Matthew Sweet and Jellyfish. I figured that since these two artists were used to open up the CD then it couldn't be all that bad. The CD turned out to be a perfect hook, a few radio oriented bands to entice you to make the purchase and then you open up a gem of other artists that leave the immediate draws in their wake. Simply an incredible pop CD that has a common thread of great songs. I've bought the other Poptopia CD's after this one and was disappointed. "Jessica Something", "Solar Sister" and "Proto-Pretty" are perfect pop. Anyone with a draw to the alt-pop-rock of the 90's would be out of their minds not to have this compilation in their library.

Old favorites and wonderful new discoveries in store for the Big Star fan or the recovering college DJ.

The Tearaways turn in an excellent performance of "Jessica Something". They stack up well with some of the better known acts, as do the Wondermints.

Check out "In You Ear" if you like Jessica Something (which is not the best song by far, but catchy).

The Tearaways may in fact be the best band you have never heard of.