"Best Power Pop Albums of 2023 Below, you’ll find our annual list of the 23 top power pop albums and EPs of the year. More accurately, it’s the top 23 albums and top 3 EPs. Truth be told, since we only review albums and EPs that we like, there were many worthy releases to choose from. Wily veterans and first timers. Pioneers and chart climbers. So here we go. Here’s the year’s best power pop “records”. The 23 Best Power Pop Albums of 2023 #1. The Rallies – It Must Be Love

"Last year was the last of the LISTS OF THE BEST RECORDS so this 2023 tops the first summary post. It is obvious that many albums are already on the general list of the BEST RECORDS OF 2023 but you will find some that for obvious reasons have not found a place but would deserve So there's nothing better than seeing them around these parts. We'll leave it for another day to define what powerpop is, but if you review the list you'll be able to figure out what I mean about Powerpop and other melodies (60s, Bubblegum, Garage, Mod , Pop Punk) As always there are only lps, no mini lps singles (8 or less songs), live, compilations etc etc and THERE IS NO ORDER OF PREFERENCE" 15 - THE RALLIES - IT MUST BE LOVE The Rallies who have released the unbeatable album of the year in the powerpop genre. Without a doubt it has the best choruses of the year

“'It Must Be Love' © 2023 The Rallies - "Best Power Pop Albums of 2023 - Power Pop News", "Power Pop Overdose Top 20 Albums for 2023", "My favorite records of 2023* - Jeff Shelton - Power Pop Show", "Indie Pop Takeout’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023", "Sweet Sweet Music Blog - The 50 Best Power Pop Albums of 2023", "Chasing The Essentials Podcast - Essential Albums of 2023", "Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music Podcast: *Brett's Top 100 Albums of 2023*", "Pablo Ferreyra's 2023 Albums I Really Like”, "The Power Popaholic Top albums of 2023", "Best Powerpop Records 2023 - My Dual Turntable"”

“The Rallies 2023 release, It Must Be Love, jangle pop with psychelic Byrds meet The dB's kind of vibe.”

“The Rallies album #3 It Must Be Love delivers their trademark melody-plus-heart-wrenching lyrics formula. Opening cut “Must Be Love” is sweet and relentless in rolling out the hooks. The backbone of the record is a host of singles-worthy material, solid poprock tracks like “All I Ever Knew,” “Never a Doubt” and “Give Me The Truth.” But the value-added are the wonderfully off-kilter pop numbers like “Out of the Blue” with its fab jangle notes or the wistful, jangle and harmony-vocal laden “As Long As.” There’s a darker pop feel to some of the songs, like “Are You Hearing Me?” with its ominous background vocals and earthy lead guitar lines or “No Other Road” with its more sombre demeanor. Or there’s “Turn It Up” which sounds like a lost classic 1970s AM radio single. Fittingly the record ends with “No Matter,” a touching understated ballad delivered in that stark, distinctive Rallies style. Hit play and there’s no mistaking this band for anyo”

“The Rallies have unleashed their ultimate album upon the world. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! 'It Must Be' is a power-packed explosion of everything that makes Power Pop irresistible: infectious melodies, hooks that stick like glue, lyrics that hit the spot, and an unwavering air of confidence.”

“It Must Be Love contains all the requisites for a great Power Pop album, melody, great vocals, catchiness, big choruses and memorable riffs. It also reveals that Power Pop has a history, well covered here, from Merseybeat to Jangle Pop and all between. It Must Be Love is a superb reminder of Power Pop has the ability to get the toes tapping and the choruses accompanied, The catchiness is like an epidemic and the playing exemplary. The key is the melody and this album excels at it”

“Terrifically ragged rock & roll that recalls solo Paul Westerberg in its big melodic hooks and swaggering guitars.”

“The Rallies fresh from the release of their first single, “Must Be Love”, in anticipation of the scheduled 2023 third album. Blending throwback vibes of The Beatles, The Hollies and Tommy Keene with more recent groups such as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tommy Keene and The Jayhawks, “Must Be Love” is a snappy, ’60s-tinged, slick arranged bubbling tune with cranked-up guitars, bright echoing arpeggios, beautifully tight-knit harmonies, and plenty of hooks, filled with heart-racing romance. Heady wanderings introspect on the favorable influence of another’s presence to declare this “Must Be Love.” Crunchy and jerky staccato guitar riffs laced with swirling sparkling jangly melodies embroider the song fabric, underpinned by steady jaunty rhythms and pulsing bass lines, whilst urgent heartfelt vocals release energetic jolts of untamed passion amid light backup airs to fall breathless into rocking moods of lovelorn longing.”

“It must be The Rallies! : Tacoma’s favourite sons are a back with a teaser single from a whole new album that will be coming in the new year. For me, it can’t come soon enough. The Rallies burst on the indie music scene with their strong debut album Serve in 2017 and followed that up with the terrific Upside Down two years later. Their main strength was in combining memorable tunes with some straightforward, just slightly Americana-meets-jangle playing. A quick listen to their new song suggests album number three is going to be just as good. “Must Be Love” establishes itself quickly with the band’s signature rhythm guitar hooks and uplifting harmony vocals, adorned with jangling lead guitar runs in all the right places. The tune sounds deceptively simple but the genius is the band’s careful arrangement of all the elements. You can hear a bit of Wilco here, some late solo John Lennon, and a host of those 1980s jangle bands.”

“| We arrived at POWERPOP and its more punk and more melodic variants- A REMARKABLE year with few outstanding albums. | Well to the point, these are the albums that I liked the most in 2019. BIG DISCS NADA DE MINILPS, SINGLES ETC |”

“| Continuing from last year, this year is a year full of wonderful albums with a good harvest, and the number of digital-only releases has increased, and the number of purchases has increased to a record high compared to last year. Maybe it's a little more pop-oriented than usual. | #1. ACN4 - S/T, #2. Jordan Jones - S/T, #3. The Resonars - No Exit, #4. Car City - S/T, #5. The Rallies - Up Side Down |”

“| “The Grand Philby Finale”: The Top 20 Philby Albums of 2019!!! | It is the end of the Philby season. In some way, it’s a bittersweet event like the seventh game of the NBA finals, World Series, Stanley Cup, or the Super Bowl. Even if it’s incredible, you don’t get another one for a long time. On the other hand, if it IS incredible, it creates great memories that you can relive with other fans!”

“| COOKIE SCENE top 50 albums of 2019 | ‘Always Pop and Alternative’ ~ A Japanese music media / editorial production as of 2010, also printed-magazine between 1997 and 2009, with 20 tracks Various Artists compilation CD on every issue from late 2001~eraly 2008.”

“| SPAZ presents THE BEST CDs OF 2019! | This list consists of the 40 best full-length CD albums released in 2019. My list of CDs started with 103 titles. I had to whittle that down a bit and ended up with 78. Then, I had to go over that with a fine-toothed comb in order to cut it down to the 40 you see below. My criteria for every release on this list started with, "How does it make me feel?" From there, I had to base it on how many times I originally played it, how many times I went back to it later, and how it made me feel when I played it as I compiled this list.”

“| Power Pop Plus: The Best of 2019 | There was plenty of fine music in 2019 and here are my choices for the best of the best— albums and songs. Some of the names will be familiar to you and many won’t, but I encourage you to not only check out these particular artists, albums and tracks, but also to keep supporting independent music in general. I listened to a lot of new stuff again this year and it was tough to whittle the list down to 20 (and 25), but I’m of the opinion that these sorts of year-end lists become difficult to process the longer they get. You know, information overload and all that. But what do I know? Anyway—away we go…”

“| Poprock Record’s should-be hit singles of 2019 | 2019 had plenty of jangle, hooks, harmonies and melody to spare. From an initial list of over 200 songs I’ve managed to whittle my should-be hit single list to just 50 chart toppers for this year. Man, it was hard. Because I only post music I like this whole exercise is a bit like choosing your favourite child. Well, IMHO, the 50 songs featured here all have a strong earwormy quality to them.”

“| Top 10 Albums of 2019: Pop! The Beat Bubble Burst (DJ Rich Reese) | KDHX DJs Choose Their Top 10 Albums of 2019! As 2019 draws to a close, it's time once again for our DJs to look back on the year in music and share their Top 10 Albums of the year. It should come as no surprise that their lists for 2019 are as unique and different as the the varied radio shows they create every day of the year. These are the Top 10 Albums of 2019 according to our DJs.”

“| I Don't Hear A Single - A Celebration Of New And Under Appreciated Music | We are back in more familiar territory with Washington State's The Rallies. Upside Down provides Wonderful Pop across these 10 songs. 2017's debut album, Serve is a fine album, but Upside Down takes this on a pace. There is nothing sophomore (that dreadful word!) about it. Don't expect to get your air guitar out for Upside Down, it's very much a sit down and sing out affair. It hasn't been a big year for stand out albums of this nature, this certainly is one of the best.”

“| KEXP Song of the Day: The Rallies - If You Do | Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Kevin Cole, host of The Afternoon Show on KEXP, is "If You Do" by The Rallies, from the self-released 2019 album Upside Down. Northwest quartet The Rallies serve up sunny power-pop with strong harmonies and melodic flair. Hailing from the Seattle and Tacoma areas, vocalist Steve Davis, guitarist Karl van der Velden, bassist Ben Heege, and drummer Lee Brown combine '80s jangle-pop with classic rock ‘n’ roll on their sophomore full-length Upside Down.”

“| When You Motor Away... This is not music criticism. On this blog, you will only read about music we like. | The Seattle area is a wonderland for good indie music, and The Rallies are yet another prime example. The Seattle/Tacoma four piece delivers the kind of jangling, hyper-melodic power pop that fuels our days and keeps a smile on our face. At the end of the summer they released a new LP titled Upside Down that seems to have flown a bit under the radar. And given the dwindling number of blogs and the plethora of new music, it isn't surprising that good music fails to get the recognition it deserves. However, it shouldn't happen to these guys because this album is too good to ignore. This is a simple formula, no bells, whistles or production gimmicks -- just hooks and good delivery of well-crafted power pop. It deserves our ears.”

“| Magic Pop - Rock and Roll Media | When you listen to the second album from the Americans, The Rallies invades you with an unstoppable optimism from the first to the last of their sensational songs. Beyond the enthusiasm that awakens their beautiful melodies, their songs have a passionate background that invites you to enjoy the moment with encouraging messages through wonderful arrangements of powerpop.”

“Seattle Washington’s The Rallies are back with their sophomore LP Upside Down and it’s a reverb-charged dose of sunny hooks and bittersweet sentiment. If you enjoyed their harmony-drenched debut Serve you’re going to love this new record. The solid acoustic guitar rhythm backing is still there. The distinctive mix of harmony background vocals combined with lead singer Steve Davis’ heart-tugging delivery remains front and centre. But the songs have a bit more muscle this time out. Somebody stepped on the jangle pedal because its ringing tone threads its way throughout the album, from the single-worthy opener “All Over Town” to the soaring closer “You’re the One.” The album opens on an extremely strong note. Really, in a properly poprock world “All Over the Town” would be zooming up the charts with its Beatles-esque background vocals, hypnotic guitar hooks, and earwormy melody. Overall, the influences alternate on this album, from the Tom Petty-ish “Brand New”..”

“Back in February of 2018, we discussed The Rallies and their debut album, Serve. Noting the “true and honest” nature of Steve Davis’ songwriting, the similarity was drawn between The Rallies’ songs and those of Todd Herfindal. Coincidentally, we reviewed Todd’s new one two weeks ago. Now, it’s time to discuss Upside Down, the new one from The Rallies. From the get-go, melody leads the way on Upside Down. The irresistible bounce and guitar sparkle of “All Over Town” make for a killer single. “Its Okay” opens with a vocal intro, bringing us to a message of reassurance with wonderful “keep calm. Carry on” harmonies. “All of Us” has a late Beatles vibe to it that feels so comfortable – like your favorite pair of slippers. But its the classic power pop sound of “If You Do” that knocks me out. With an uplifting message, a monster hook, glorious harmonies and some beautiful Beatlesque guitar touches, this track is one of this year’s best.”

“Tacoma, Washington’s The Rallies delivered a break out should-be hit album in 2017: Serve, one that meshed jangle with up-front acoustic guitars and a host of touching sentiment. This year they just teased us with a single from their forthcoming album, due in 2019. But what a single! I’ve been holding off featuring the tune because I really think it’s a song apropos for today. “All of Us” speaks to the better world that resides in us all. We have what it takes, if we have faith in ourselves and each other. Despite our world of war, deprivation, poverty and Trump, the human spirit is moved by hope and joy and solidarity. And they are the only things that change things for the better. As the band say, “It’s in you, it’s in me, what is real and ought to be. If we look inside all of us.””

“Poprock Record’s should-be hit singles of 2017: The Rallies were an accidental discovery that turned into an obsession. Their whole album is great but “Don’t Give Up” makes my heart twinge every time.”

“There will always be great music that slips through the cracks, and The Rallies Serve is one of those albums last year I wish I heard earlier. The Rallies are a tight four-piece band from Tacoma, Washington. Fans of The Rembrandts, Matthew Sweet, and Crowded House will really enjoy the Rallies sound. The opener "Don’t Give Up" is a solidly strummed melody in the tradition of Tom Petty that speaks of hope. The jangling gems "Whatever You Thought," "No One Knows," and"Every Now and Then" all feature solid songwriting and easy on the ear melodies. The catchy "So Right" boasts a great rhythm and harmonies that drives the song forward. The Rallies are a force to pay attention to, and I hope to hear more from them in the near future. Highly Recommended.”

“THE RALLIES a name that is going to enter with golden letters in this year 2017 and SERVE is the album that should bring them to light. An LP that is more than good is a wonder of our time. A humble LP that has not required great production or great boasts to become a charming wonder. This quartet Lee Brown, Steve Davis, Rick Jones and Jeff Weldeman are delivered to taste with a collection of formidable compositions of delicious power pop full of nuances that remind of the best of both sides of the Atlantic (there are both sixties beat like California) but in no case are left to stagnate in that look back as it happens in ONE WAY that seems taken from a cross between a composition of the Squeeze applying the guitars of the Feelies.”

“Last summer, The Rallies put out a really good record that somehow got by me. Entitled Serve, the album has all the elements of a well crafted power pop record; catchy melodies, memorable choruses and guitar jangle to spare. The band’s songs have "a positive vibe and feel true and honest", reminds me a bit of Todd Herfindal and The Meadows. At other times, The Rallies remind me more of Tom Petty or any number of 80’s power pop bands. The opening track, "Don’t Give Up", is a mostly acoustic effort with a killer chorus. The same can be said for "Every Now and Then", with a monster hook that’ll stick with you long after the first listen. "Whatever You Thought" is pure pop and another uber-catchy track. "So Right" is a rocker that would have fit well in the late 70’s early 80’s period with The Romantics or The Records. Had I heard The Rallies’ Serve last year, it would have very likely made the PPN end of year best of power pop list. Better late than never. Serve is highly re”

“The Absolute Powerpop Top 100 of 2017: The Rallies Serve is one heckuva debut album and answers the musical question "What if Tom Petty was part of Crowded House?". Mixing sweet melodies with jangly rock, they crank out one ear-friendly tune after another here, from the mostly acoustic opening "rally" "Don't Give Up" to excellent pop/rockers like "Whatever You Tonight" and "No One Knows", to the jangle pop of "So Right" and "These Are the Words". Serve's bright and shiny sound will serve as a perfect backdrop for the spring.”

“Plástico Elástico - THE BEST OF 2017 - Other International Sounds: Some of the best garage records, indie pop and rock, folk pop, rock, psychedelia... (The Rallies)”

“KDHX DJ Top Tens of 2017: The Year-end Wrap-up for Pop! The Beat Bubble Burst on KDHX, and these albums made my official Top Ten list... officially. (The Rallies - Serve)”

“The Un-Herd Music - Best of 2017: Well, here we go again. Another year toasted. Another attempt to organize art into a list and rank the unrankable. I've certainly found a lot of music - and a lot of bands - that I'm sure I'll be playing for the rest of my days. (The Rallies - Serve)”

“This Tacoma quartet is pop in the purest sense of the word, but they do what they do very well. This is a true band effort and they seem completely locked in like they’ve been at it for decades. If artists like Matthew Sweet, Velvet Crush or Teenage Fanclub have spent time on your record player then you’ll be ok with this. The guitars bend n’ crawl while the rock-solid rhythm section keep the steady beat. The songs seem to be about life’s everyday adventures of love and death and if you listen they’ll take you to places you’ve never been. Opener “Don’t Give Up” is an ace cut that’s all melody while the strummier “No One Knows” also caught my ear as did the just-as-strummy (and equally as good) “Every Now and Then.” They add a bit more bite on cuts like “So Right” and but leave the melody intact. The protest photo on the cover looks just perfect for these times and I’m really liking what they have to say. Peace and serve.”

“From the north-west of the U.S., pop/rock quartet The Rallies have a sound that can best be described as rather melodic and upbeat, taken from a spectrum of retro and contemporary musical influences. Having just released ‘Serve’, an album that is already getting much positive feedback, the outfit are now setting their sights on getting their music out to a wider audience, with American college students being next on their hit list. I chatted to the band’s vocalist/guitarist Steve Davis about their current success and more.”

“THE RALLIES SERVE is the record that should bring them to light. An LP that's more than good it's a wonder of our time. A humble LP that has not required large production or fanfare to become a charming wonder. This quartet's dispatched to taste with a collection of formidable compositions of delicious power pop full of nuances reminiscent of the best of both sides of the Atlantic (both sixties beat & California) but in no case left stagnate in that look back as in ONE WAY that seems taken from a cross between a composition of Squeeze applying the guitars of The Feelies. Although all comparisons are odious & most probably unsuccessful, let's say that the Rallies are like the adorable Dropkick version USA. A jangle pop very melodic in terms of vocal forms but tougher & crude in instrumental developments harsher on guitars than the Scots which perhaps allows a quicker understanding of their intent. They're less dreamy & more Nothern Britain, as evidence in EVERY NOW AND THEN or SO RIGHT.”

“I heard a song sunny enough to make me forget the driving rain outside, that song is "Still Gonna Want You". There is plenty of jangle, and a voice that professes undying love for a girl that, no matter what will always have a place in the singer’s heart. It's the lead single off of The Rallies' debut album, "Serve", an LP of ready-made classics in waiting. The Rallies are the real deal when it comes to power pop — music that fills your heart and soul with joy, even if the basis of the song's not always a happy ending. Their harmonies are nothing short of amazing, the song-writing is great and if you have an inclination toward upbeat, guitar-driven, pop rock, this is the album you need to own. Now. Picking a stand-out track is not possible, since all ten are varying degrees of great. "Don’t Give Up" uses those previously mentioned harmonies to flawless effect. "So Right" has the feel of a Tom Petty single from the days when Tom Petty wrote classic three minute pop masterpieces.”

“Serving up The Rallies: When Neko Case sang about Tacoma in “Thrice All American” you’d never think it would serve up a band quite like The Rallies. The band’s debut effort, the cheesily titled Serve, is a soundtrack to a sunny day. The wash of acoustic guitars, jangly lead lines, great vocal harmonies and strong songwriting will put a smile on your face and keep it there. The band claim such stalwart poprockers as Tom Petty and Crowded House as influences and you can hear them on these recordings but the final result is something original. From more contemporary artists, there is more than a little kinship with Philadelphia’s acoustic poprock outfit Good Old War to my ears. Now here is where I usually pick out one or two songs as the album highlights but Serve is a solid ten tracks of poprock goodness, there really isn’t a weak track here. Just buy the whole thing.”