In my day, the term was associated A LOT with Scritti Politti - especially Scritti circa 1984, about which we will be Jopping shortly no doubt, i.e. even BEFORE Green released a song called "Perfect Way". Back then, I think PP had to include a well-crafted song with a great hook as well as glossy production values (technology used in the service of aesthetics, that sorta thing) and honeyed vocals (PP could never be edgy).
It has, it's true, become associated since the 80s with earnest white men with Beatles or Beach Boys/Van Dyke Parks obsessions. Whereas its true spiritual heirs are probably to be found in, I dunno, microhouse or something.
Tom - I'd stay well clear of refs to PP in your Archies piece. "Sugar Sugar" is kinda perfect in my own mind, but it's fairly unique in the bubblegum canon, most of which is determinedly lowest common denominator pop, the dumber the better - which is not IMHO what PP is about.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-09-18 01:25 pm (UTC)It has, it's true, become associated since the 80s with earnest white men with Beatles or Beach Boys/Van Dyke Parks obsessions. Whereas its true spiritual heirs are probably to be found in, I dunno, microhouse or something.
Tom - I'd stay well clear of refs to PP in your Archies piece. "Sugar Sugar" is kinda perfect in my own mind, but it's fairly unique in the bubblegum canon, most of which is determinedly lowest common denominator pop, the dumber the better - which is not IMHO what PP is about.