A PLEA FOR POP

(This is a re-post from July 2008, "by request"....)

Behind my face tattoos, an obvious tough-as-nails exterior and a total punk-‘til-I-die attitude, I’m actually a sweet mewling kittycat when exceptional female-voiced pop music is put on the table. I know the good stuff is quite few & far between, and as a result, I don’t even know the first thing about seeking it out. I’m not talking about the generally mainstream stuff, it’s more like 60s-inspired and/or more thumping, vaguely garagey pop music, with big hooks & top-drawer vocals. Stuff like some of those LONG BLONDES singles from a few years ago ("Separated By Motorways" and their first 45). Those first couple LOVE IS ALL records. CAMERA OBSCURA. Stuff like the song I’m posting below, “You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve” by a UK duo called JOHNNY BOY from 2004. That year & 2005 were years in which I did my greatest digging for the very few gems that exist in this quote-unquote genre, but since then I guess I just don’t have the patience. I want it brought to me. My hunch is that there are probably a half-dozen more great songs & bands, probably in England, maybe in Sweden, and maybe even here in the US that are mining similar territory. I saw a picture of the women in THE PLASTICINES and of course that & a description of their influences piqued my interest, but once I heard it, it was off to the recycle bin if you know what I mean.

Take a listen to this incredible JOHNNY BOY track below. Who else is making music these days with these sort of giant hooks, killer production & that sort of instant-classic feel you get from the best pop songs? Anyone out there?

Play Johnny Boy, "You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve"

Download JOHNNY BOY – “You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve” (A-side of 2004 single)