More than any other group than the (early) Beatles, Big Star has come to symbolize power pop. Strange, in that most people haven't even heard them. Their albums sold poorly in the extreme upon release, and radio never played them at all. I myself never heard their nearly famous anthem, "September Gurls," till it was reissued on CD and I bought a copy (I never hung out with the cool kids). But, Big Star deserves their vaunted reputation absolutely and completely; their three albums are rife with soaring melodies, driving beats, stirring harmonies, and twisted thoughts - all hallmarks of great power pop. Led by Alex Chilton (ex-Box Tops) and Chris Bell, the Memphis-based group flamed out quickly after Bell died in a car wreck and Chilton began an erratic solo career.

One of the great wonders of the record collecting world is the very existence Stax's two-on-one reissue of #1 Record and Radio City, the only formal albums Big Star ever put out. Their third album went unreleased at the time, and was later released in various editions known alternately as Sister Lovers and Third. Rykodisc reissued the album awhile back with all affiliated tracks included. Ryko also put out a Chris Bell disc, I Am The Cosmos, and Big Star Live; these are good but inessential. Columbia: Live At Missouri University documents a reunion tour backed by parts of the Posies. Of more interest is Rhino's 19 Years: A Collection, a fascinating look at the bizarre solo ouvre of Alex Chilton. It's a good buy, but it is weighed down by its heavy sampling of Big Star's third album, which was otherwise unavailable when Rhino compiled the CD; an update is overdue.