Teenage Fanclub: Bandwagonesque A melodic masterpiece of chiming guitars that should have caused TFC to be as big as Nirvana. Worthy as any recording of the '90s.

Matthew Sweet: Girlfriend Matthew Sweet's third album is his best and a highwater mark for guitar pop in the '90s. He displays disparate influences, but most of all, his songwriting chops are on display. This recording will be sufficient for Sweet to always have an audience for his recordings. A truly special moment in guitar pop in the '90s.

Velvet Crush: Teenage Symphonies to God VC inspired Byrds comparisons, but what this recording embodied was a unique combination of stellar taste in songwriting, arrangements and overall choices. This release along with Bandwagonesque gave hope to many of us that the major labels were finally coming around to real music again. It was a fleeting moment. See, also In the Presence of Greatness

The Posies: Dear 23 Boasting some of the best singers of any band in a modern era, The Posies recorded a classic in Dear 23. The combination of Stringfellow and Auer is so synergistic that the vocals combined with the soaring melody will give you the chills, guaranteed.

Guided by Voices: Alien Lanes Mini songs, mini melodic guitar nuggets of gold. Robert Pollard may be the most prolific guitar songwriter of our time. This recording may be his best. See, also, Mag Earwhig, Bee Thousand

Adam Schmitt: Illiterature Schmitt had to deal with the burden of major label pin up boy as he released this guitar based melodic monster. A should have been major label hit. See, also World So Bright

Jellyfish: Bellybutton, Spilt Milk Jellyfish was probably the most gifted of all '90s guitar pop bands. They were great writers, players and singers, and both of these recordings live up to the talent the band had. Both essential.

Lilys: Better Can't Make Your Life Better An example of the best recording that Ray Davies never made. Energy, great songs, great sonics and the correct choices by Michael Deming, Kurt Beasley, Thom Monahan and Aaron Sperske make this a classic.

Various Artists: Yellow Pills, Volume I: The Best of American Pop This release was the first in a series, all good, put out by Big Deal, a defunct label who had numerous quality guitar pop releases in the '90s. This recording is a series of gem after gem of underground guitar pop compiled by Jordan Oakes of the 'zine, Yellow Pills. Pick this up if you see it in a used bin.

The Gladhands: La Di Da This release has a Nazz-like Rundgrenesque quality. If you find it, buy it.

Chris von Sneidern: Sight and Sound This recording has a Badfinger quality. CvS has a beautiful voice and this is a gem of a release marked by outstanding songs.

Bill Lloyd: Set to Pop Mr. Lloyd had a previously successful career as a country artist in the duo Foster & Lloyd. This recording is a chiming 12 string slice of melodic heaven.

Bettie Serveert: Palomine A whirling dervish of guitars and energy with great songs.

Erik Voeks: Sandbox Impossible to find even when it was first released, this recording is an underground, underground guitar pop gem with catchy songs and outstanding production.

Richard X. Heyman: Hey! Man! Great songs, great writing, melody and multi-instrument virtuosity is on display. Some of the best '90s guitar pop.

The Rooks: s/t There is no better example of a recording that sounds like pre-66 Beatles than this. Michael Mazzarella understood how to capture that 3 minute rocking, big beat sound and craft songs that capture the frenetic intensity of The Beatles early work. It's a classic, and for anyone who longs for a recording that sounds like something pre-Revolver, this is it. You won't belive it when you hear it. Note: this release is compiled on the Encore Echoes Not Lame release at www.notlame.com

The Mockers: Somewhere Between Mocksville and Harmony As one of the first truly indie pop releases of the early '90s power pop revival, the combination of acerbic wit and hooks makes this a gem.

Cotton Mather: Kon Tiki If The Rooks debut is pre-Revolver, this recording is Revolver. Great stuff.

Myracle Brah: Life on Planet Eartsnop A monstrous guitar recording with great vocals in a Badfinger-like vein. If you like guitar pop, you will like this.

The Shazam: s/t The Who: Sell Out for the '90s. See, also God Speed The Shazam

The Beatifics: How I Learned to Stop Worrying Chiming guitars, quality writing.

The Bigger Lovers: How I Learned to Stop Worrying Chiming guitars, quality writing. No this is not a typo. The releases have the same name. See, also, Honey in the Hive (2002)

Aimee Mann: Bachelor No. 2 This release is indicative of why Ms. Mann may be the finest female singer-songwriter in the modern era. Amazing lyrics, tight compositions and smart choices by a sophisticated, elegant musician.

NOTE: Yes, yes, more will be added.