King of Power Pop!

Some 30 years prior to the release of King of Power Pop! Paul Collins was busy earning the title with his bands the Nerves, the Breakaways and his most successful band, the Beat. Recent solo outings by Collins (2007’s Flying High and 2008’s Ribbon of Gold under Paul Collins Beat) favored an Americana-roots flavor, while only hinting at the power-pop gold still pumping in Collins’ veins. On King of Power Pop!, Collins boldly lays claim to the crown, and we have to say it fits pretty well, due both to his amazing legacy from decades past and to new tracks here. Opening with “C’mon Let’s Go!,” a near-perfect nugget of ‘70s-styled power pop (with Nikki Corvette on backup vocals), and burning through 12 more tracks of two-and-a-half-minute, power-pop swagger, Collins still leaves us breathless. His chutzpah-fueled covers of two iconic classics, the Box Tops’ “The Letter” and the Flamin’ Groovies “You Tore Me Down,” both not only survive, but even benefit marginally from Collins’ own vigorous, punk-rooted imprimatur. Paul Collins is one hellluva king; you may bow.