One of the greatest power pop albums of all time

 

By Stewart Dowouis

Five years prior to his fantastic portrayal of Buddy Holly in the wonderful 1987 Ritchie Valens biopic film La Bamba, Marshall Crenshaw released one of the greatest power pop albums of all time. 1982’s Eponymously titled Marshall Crenshaw is stacked from first track to last with twelve of the catchiest, hook-laden pop rock songs ever pressed to wax. 

You don’t have to have any previous awareness of Mr. Crenshaw at all to immediately get sucked into his debut record. Most folks in 2026 probably don’t, unfortunately. His name hasn’t…for whatever reason…been one of the most enduring in popular culture. That’s a shame. Good songs are good songs at the end of the day, and more than a few are on tap here. 

It becomes immediately evident as soon as the needle drops on this thing that Buddy Holly was more than just a movie role for Marshall. Touches of new wave, rockabilly and pop sonically blend with a heavy pinch of Buddy Holly influence to create a timeless back-to-basics guitar, bass, and drums classic. Fans of Elvis Costello and The Smithereens should feel right at home with this no-nonsense collection of songs of love and romantic longing.

Marshall Crenshaw spent several months charting on Billboard at a time when that really meant something. It ultimately went on to sell somewhere in the ballpark of 400,000 copies based on the strength of singles like “Someday, Someway,” “There She Goes Again” and “Cynical Girl” and is included on most “Greatest Power Pop Albums of all Time” lists today. 

Order it from our store right here

Browse Marshall Crenshaw at our store right here