This week on Teenage Kicks we go all the way — with two full hours devoted to power pop. It's the 40th anniversary of Cheap Trick's Dream Police, of The Knack storming the charts, and the era when Squeeze, the Romantics, Nick Lowe, the Only Ones, Wreckless Eric, and more put out classics.

Power Pop has been defined as "a cross between the crunching rock of the Who, the sweet melodicism of the Beatles, and the ringing guitars of the Byrds, with songs of longing and despair." Overwhelmingly the turf of nerdy, sensitive white boys, Power Pop has continued to produce great bands — The Posies, Teenage Fanclub, Bangles, Minnesota's own Rembrandts and Melismatics — we'll play them all this week on Teenage Kicks.

Plus, you can be a Big Star - we've invited you to leave your power pop request. We'll Shake Some Action with a special 2 hour, all power pop edition of Teenage Kicks.

You can also check out listener Chris Steller's YouTube playlist of this week's show! Thanks, Chris!

Segments

Playlist, hour 1

Playlist, hour 2