Hi Everyone,   Here are my lists of favorite albums of 2016. As is my usual custom, I’ve broken this down into several categories, as I’m just not comfortable ranking unlike entities on one list.   Those marked with an * are vinyl-only releases. Those marked with an ** are cassette-only releases.   Contemporary Categories   I. Top 125 Albums   Disclaimer alert: I heard A LOT of fine albums this year,...

It’s been a month since Rina and I returned from IPOs Liverpool and Stockholm, and I must admit I’m still on a high from both of them. There’s nothing quite like IPO Liverpool; the bands are all top shelf, the excitement and camaraderie are palpable, and it’s The Cavern Club, for god’s sakes! Each time I walk down those steps it feels like the first time (sorry, Foreigner haters), and I always look forward to seeing all the bands,...

With all the hoopla and brouhaha surrounding the recent inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I thought it might be fun to put together a list of artists who I feel worthy of inclusion in a Power Pop Hall of Fame. I urge you to please read the entire article (aka, “the disclaimers”) and not merely the list, so that, while you ultimately may not agree with my selections and even call me an “American Idiot,” (hint, hint)...

Ladies and gentlemen, the past couple of months have been a very rough road. As many of you know, I suffered a heart attack on January 27, and had to have two arteries unblocked and two stents inserted into my heart. Ever since then I’ve been in recovery, which involves going to Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills three times a week to do cardio exercises, along with several appointments with my Internist and my Cardiologist (yikes, I...

Hi Everyone, I hope you’re doing well. I thought I would make my first Bash On Pop column of 2015 a list of my favorite albums of 2014. I’ve decided to make Bash On Pop a monthly thing; beginning in February the columns will be news regarding what’s happening in pop music, including recaps of various IPO festivals,and/or reviews of new releases/reissues. Until next month, enjoy this recap of 2014! As is my usual custom,...

My Top 10 Songs of All Time by David Bash   Without any ado, and with no reservations whatsoever…   10. Chalkhills and Children-XTC (1989): The first of two “last song on their album” in my Top 10. Andy Partridge and company had recently tackled that “Beach Boys influenced thing” on their Dukes of Stratosphear guise with “Pale and Precious”, and while I think that one is great as well, I love this...