The Posies - "Everyone Moves Away"
One of the most beautifully written pieces of contemporary pop. Just 12-string guitar and a cascade of beautiful melody and vocal harmonies. Every time I want to better myself as a songwriter/arranger I listen to The Posies' Dear 23 album. Stellar!
Jellyfish - "The King Is Half Undressed"
The whole of this band was even greater than the sum of each individual member's immense talents. This song embodies everything great about pop music: melody, structure, and the hook!
Chameleons UK - "Inside Out"
A bonus track on their Strange Times LP from 1986. The Chameleons were one of the more criminally overlooked bands of the 80s. Their brooding arrangements, reverb-drenched guitars and no-nonsense, post-punk aesthetic were chilling.
Guadalcanal Diary - "Litany (Life Goes On)"
When I first heard this song in 1987 it completely changed the way I felt about modern rock. An absolutely stunning blend of chiming guitars, thunderous drums, angelic vocals - all wrapped around a sublime melody. Perfect.
Split Enz - "One Step Ahead"
A haunting and gorgeous song. One of the first hints at the Finn brothers' brilliant pop music craft.
Kraftwerk - "Autobahn"
This was mind-blowing to me when I heard it for the first time as a kid in the early 80s. Head-to-toe pure electronic music. I can only image the reaction to the rest of the world when it was originally released in 1974!
The Kinks - "Do You Remember Walter"
The Kinks at their creative apex in the 60's. The whole Village Green LP is one of the strongest British Invasion albums and sounds fresh and invigorating…even today.
David Bowie - "Queen Bitch"
This song perfectly encapsulates Bowie's early persona…with a harsh, almost punk-ish flair. Raw, flamboyant, androgynous, and unyielding.
X - "The Hungry Wolf"
X was an American original. Something about this song perfectly exemplifies the unbridled energy of a punk band that also understands songcraft and the true aesthetic of rock n' roll.
Nada Surf - "Always Love"
Sadly, most people are unaware of this band's stellar output since their seminal 1996 hit "Popular". This track from their 2005 album The Weight Is a Gift is as sublime as pop gets. Emotive, dynamic, supremely melodic.
Pernice Brothers - "Subject Drop"
This song's lilting melody sent shivers down my spine the first time I heard it. Joe Pernice is a master of intricate, yet melancholy songcraft.
Sleep Station - "After The War"
Title track from their criminally overlooked release from 2004. Stories of love and loss during World War II set to strummy, pop music back-drop.
Rush - "Limelight"
Say what you will about their Prog-ish leanings. I think every musician is a closet Rush fan. This song encapsulates a perfect pop song with some of the hottest guitar and drum licks ever recorded.
Morningwood - "Nth Degree"
The car companies were on to something when they picked this song for their TV commercials! Insatiably fun and hooky. Silly, disposable, and intoxicating at the same time!
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