"This Is Pop" (2021 release; 8 episodes of 45 min. Each) aims to provide an overview of the state of pop music in the last 25 years or so. Episode 1 "The Boys II Men Effect" looks back at the rise of Boys II Men, from their humble beginnings to global stardom (at least for a while). Episode 2 examines the effects of Auto-tune. Episode 3 examines the outsized role of Sweden in the pop industry (ABBA, Ace of Base, Max Martin). And so forth...
Couple of comments: there is nothing "wrong" with this documentary mini-series as such, but neither is there anything memorable, let alone any new revelations of any kind. Everything is super predictable. For me the best episode was "Festival Rising", tracing the history of large music festivals in the US (from "Human Be-In" in January '67 to "Monterey" in June '67 to "Woodstock" in August '69 to "US" in May '83 to "Lollapalooza" in '91 to "Bonnaroo" in 2002), but inexplicably missing the critical role of "Coachella" (which started in 1999, 3 years before Bonnaroo). The "Hail Britpop" episode focuses predictably on the Oasis v. Blur rivalry, which was a true rivalry on home turf (the UK) and for a short while (mid-90s). With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, it never was a rivalry at all, but the episode never goes deeper into that point.
Bottom line: this mini-series is a pleasant intermediary as long as you don't poke too deep and don't ask any questions. It feels like "Pop 101" for the MTV generation. It eyes beautifully but offers little substance. Of course, don't take my word for it, so check this out (it's currently available on Netflix) and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: there is nothing "wrong" with this documentary mini-series as such, but neither is there anything memorable, let alone any new revelations of any kind. Everything is super predictable. For me the best episode was "Festival Rising", tracing the history of large music festivals in the US (from "Human Be-In" in January '67 to "Monterey" in June '67 to "Woodstock" in August '69 to "US" in May '83 to "Lollapalooza" in '91 to "Bonnaroo" in 2002), but inexplicably missing the critical role of "Coachella" (which started in 1999, 3 years before Bonnaroo). The "Hail Britpop" episode focuses predictably on the Oasis v. Blur rivalry, which was a true rivalry on home turf (the UK) and for a short while (mid-90s). With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, it never was a rivalry at all, but the episode never goes deeper into that point.
Bottom line: this mini-series is a pleasant intermediary as long as you don't poke too deep and don't ask any questions. It feels like "Pop 101" for the MTV generation. It eyes beautifully but offers little substance. Of course, don't take my word for it, so check this out (it's currently available on Netflix) and draw your own conclusion.