Flagpole Music Awards: Pop

(Art/Ziona Kocher, lizzybknits.deviantart.com)
They write the tunes they want the whole world to sing. If you haven’t seen the following bands yet, make sure you do before one of them ends up on the Grey’s Anatomy or House soundtrack or something. The nominees for Pop in the Flagpole Athens Music Awards aim to please. Rocky, punky, and wavey, pop is here to stay. Voting ends May 29.

ALLISON WEISS
The queen of promotion and sappy happy little ditties, Allison has been making her rounds in Athens for a while now. Her cheerful pop is polarizing to some but it’s a testament to her songwriting chops that she’s gaining speed in the music world. She’ll be touring the Pacific Northwest during the summer, spreading her tales of feeling bad and getting better.

CASPER AND THE COOKIES
Out of all the E6 Collective, I feel that Casper and the Cookies is probably the most accessible. It’s powerpop and experimental all at the same time. Like those Flintstone Pushup Pops they have in the frozen food isle. Why go with the same old fudgesicle when you can have something new and different?

MODERN SKIRTS
It’s been a busy year for Athens’ most visible pop band. A new album, opening for R.E.M., and tons of new content in recent shows…it’s enough to make your head spin. The guys can pull in a good sized crowd at the 40 Watt and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t hear someone humming “Pasadena.”

QUIET HOOVES
These guys sound like they should be owning college radio right now. The disjointed and often country leaning pop they create would make any indie hipster drool. They’ve got all the elements of indie that Athens bands created. Plenty of horns, chants, and just plain interesting music.

SPRING TIGERS
Your electro-pop is here; it can here you breathing. They’re actually playing the Vans Warped Tour! My brother would be so proud. The Tigers, not to be confused with the Twin variety mind you, are good thrash pop. Loud, messy, and very White Stripish at times.

VENICE IS SINKING
Also releasing a new album this year, Venice is Sinking has been nominated in a different category each time I pick up the Flagpole ballot. Are they rock? Pop? Americana? Who cares!?! “Ryan’s Song” is catchy and there are very few records out there that are this beautiful and sad all at the same time.

Check back tomorrow for Punk/Hardcore.