Although power pop existed before the late '70s and has continued since, there was an excitement and a certain energy at the end of that decade that can only be explained as "magical." Perhaps it was the first wave of punk that inspired so many musicians to embrace the simplicities of music and create their own paths, or maybe it was time to turn the music industry on its head. Whatever the reason, 20/20 arose from the frenzied major-label signing rush with their engines running at full speed and their laser beams set on stun. Steve Allen (vocals/guitar) and Ron Flynt (vocals/bass) led the team, followed closely by Mike Gallo (drums/vocals) and Chris Silagyi (guitar/keyboards), all four creating one of the best debut albums to emerge from the new wave era. "Yellow Pills" alone would have been enough to float the album, but there were ten other songs almost as good, including "Tell Me Why," "Cheri," "Jet Lag," and "Remember the Lightning," to name a few. British influences (and slight traces of accents) infiltrated and mixed with their L.A. attitudes and Tulsa roots, never sounding less than sincere. Two years later, the band returned with a sophomore LP that wasn't quite up to the standards of the debut, but certainly delivered quite a punch. Gallo was gone, replaced by Joel Turrisi, and the slight British musical accent was also left behind, replaced by a new confidence in their American musical heritage. Of course, the melodies were as sweet and inviting as the debut, but on many different levels. This time out, the lyrics were darker and the mood was less jubilant (John Lennon had been killed during the recording of the album, causing an emotional change of direction). Still, "Nuclear Boy," "Out of My Head," "The Night I Heard a Scream," and "Strange Side of Love" were nothing less than brilliant. A misstep or two may have lost the album a few points, but it is nothing less than highly recommended. Thanks to Oglio Records, you can enjoy the magic of 20/20 in one sitting.