I think it's a fairly ridiculous thing to say that any music is a rip off of a forgone band or singer because all music is an amalgamation of past influences, interpreted their own way and served up to the current generation. To dismiss an entire 'movement' in favour of older bands is either narrow minded or petty and akin to your parent saying the immortal line "Music was better in my day!"

Power pop in probably an easy target due to it wearing it's influences proudly on it's sleeve but I'm fairly sure the bands that have been cited as influences would be rightly proud that they managed to influence the younger generation.

Of the above – I liked fun. Paul Steel and Lamar Holley the best but the others have some appeal as well. If you like power pop then I'd also suggest listening to: Silver Sun – Silver Sun, Brendon Benson – Alternative To Love, Secret Powers – Explorers Of A Polar Eclipse, Jason Falkner – Presents Author Unknown and (for me) the best of all: Jellyfish – Spilt Milk

Enjoy the music, smile at the influences or just snub it out of hand, listen to you old 'better' albums in defiance and admit to yourself you've stopped growing as a person, find nothing interesting anymore and are ready for death. I'm happy with the former.

PS. Thanks to jonnyrancher for suggesting Cheap Trick, nice album