In his only album with the band, Chris Bell helped revitalize the sound of power pop, briefly taking the torch from Badfinger with 1972's near-perfect #1 Record. The sound of jangly guitars and airy harmonies had practically been pushed out of existence by the guitar theatrics and brooding songwriting of late 60s rock bands. Big Star, however, were a bit more whimsical and upbeat in their melodies, rolling through riffs with an easy breezy vibe that was infectious. Big Star's glimmering debut is nearly a greatest hits package already, containing most of the band's biggest tracks, from the indelible guitar hook of "In the Street" to the haunting, Zombies-idolizing "Ballad of El Goodo." #1 Record still stands as Big Star's finest contribution to music, and Bell's presence is what ultimately drives the album through a satisfying journey. Tellingly, the only song not composed by Bell, "The India Song," is a windy, unfocused detour that further proves how vital he was to the songwriting process. Bell left the band after just one album, trying his hand at a solo career before tragically dying in a car crash on his way home from a rehearsal in 1978.
