Van Duren: Idiot Optimism (1979/2000/2020)

While a lot of power pop bands (fairly or otherwise) are quickly tagged with a "kinda sounds like Big Star" label, Van Duren is probably more deserving of it than most. He was a denizen of the same 70s Memphis rock scene that birthed Big Star; and after the dissolution of the band, he did some playing with both Chris Bell and drummer Jody Stephens.

He recorded and released one proper LP, 1978's superb Are You Serious? His second album, Idiot Optimism, was recorded the following year, but despite ...