Metal Reviews

I dunno. I think pop, even bubblegummy pop, can be enjoyable if done right. In other words, get a singer who can actually sing. Do some interesting synth effects (for the last 30 years, the vast majority of "pop music" has been largely electronic), implement beats you can actually dance to without realizing it, etc. Unfortunately, pop music of that kind of quality seems to be a rarity. Particularly during these last ten or eleven years.

Really getting into Bat For Lashes recently, pretty much fits what you said Seino. Kate Bush and Bjork fans should love her, sort of psychedelic and dreamy stuff.

Sleep Alone - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1vtr9fXdg8

Daniel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZHah-c0hQ

Horse And I - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_3E2NVWORo

That's precisely what I'm talking about. I thought the song I posted in the OP would be a dead giveaway. But I guess I was wrong.

Anyway, here are two more LJ songs that I dig. Unfortunately, I can't find them on Youtube so I have to post Rhapsody links (if you don't have a Rhapsody account, you get 25 free plays before having to get one, so most of you should be able to listen to these songs without any trouble):

Mood Swing: http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.474598
Electric: http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.474599

Do you consider Frank Zappa pop? I think his stuff are pretty kick ass. Oh, and ABBA

Caclling Frank Zappa "Pop" is like calling a crown roast of lamb "fast food," if you get my drift.

Point noted, and agreed. But then what would you call his music?

If anything, I would call his stuff Avant-Garde. Yeah, some of his music is kinda poppy, but most of his material is just so out there and crazy, I'd say Avant-Garde fits the bill.

That's what Prog Archives labels him as, so that's what I go with.

And actually most of his most poppy songs are probably just parodies of pop music.

Teenage Fanclub? Jangly guitar pop. The only pop music I listen to (even if it's not exactly popular)....except Aqua.

Teenage Fanclub are awesome, but wouldn't they count as britpop?

So 'Disco Boy' can be considered a parody? It's still a killer song anyway. Haha! But yeah, gotta agree with you on his stuff being called Avant-Garde.

Just because its a parody doesnt mean it cant be brilliant.

Oh yes! ABBA is still one of the best.

I tend not to like a whole lot of Pop, simply because it's so full of one-hit wonders whose albums are mostly filler.

Some other pop I enjoy

- Barenaked Ladies (I'm Canadian after all)
- Carpenters
- Sarah Mclachlin
- everything from the 80s
- Sonata Arctica

I used to enjoy the Beatles (I own most of their albums) but I probably overplayed them and now I can hardly listen to it (with the exception of Helter Skelter ). I haven't spun a beatles disc in probably 7 years. It's like a sugar headache I guess.

I wouldn't say so, they never really fitted in with that whole Oasis/Blur thing which is partly why they never really took off. More from the 60s school of pop, like The Byrds and whatnot. Although Britpop is another one of those made up genres that isn't really a type of music so I guess in the broader sense, yes.

Aw c'mon, man. Don't tell me you're not giving any credit for the metal they play?

Don't worry, I love em I was just joking

Are we talking about pop by the (admittedly rather inclusive) definition of "popular music"? If so, does bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Doors and Metallica qualify?

If not, I love me some Bowie from time to time. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust..." is a freakin' great album. Also there are a couple of Beatles albums and other stuff somewhere in my collection, but it's quite rare that I listen to them. Some of those things that you remember and have good memories about, but never really listen to anymore.

People can't be serious when mentioning ABBA and Aqua. Along with other bands they make some of that kind of music that give me an instant case of indigestion.

Yeah, David Bowie is very good.. Other than him and a couple of others I think Michael Jackson was my last favorite, which is about ten years ago.

I really like musical music though.. Not as in High School Musical, but I really enjoyed both Fame and Lion King on stage in London when I was there. Any suggestions?

Florence and the Machine is amazing. Her voice!!