The Cardigans?

The Pipettes?

You're going to be hard pressed to find something as cool as Valleri - that's a monster of a pop song. I don't even think of that as a bubblegum song-it rocks too much. And by the way, that's my fave Herman's Hermits song by a longshot.

I've been listening to lots of bubblegummy stuff as well lately - and like you - none of it is of recent vintage. The things getting the most spins on my MP3 player lately have been the Hudson Brothers, Pilot, the Laughing Dogs, Monkees, and Nick Gilder. Plus last year a friend gave me a disc of obscure British bubblegum bands from the late 60's that is pretty damn awesome. I would kill to hear a modern band capture the sound and souring harmonies of those Pilot albums.

The only recent bands that I've done that have some solid bubblegum roots are actually already a few years old - things like Apples in Stereo and From Bubblegum to Sky. I've also been jonesing some new bubblegum, so I hope someone comes through for you with some good recomendations. It's not bubblegum, but I would recommend the last Sloan album if you're looking for good old fashioned pop with great hooks and catchy melodies.

Sorry, I meant The Pipettes.

Stereo Total. Shonen Knife.

Most everything by Prozzäk Strange Disease, Sucks to be You, Omabolasire, and try "Bubblegum Factory" by Redd Kross (the YouTube links don't do the song justice)... The Rev. Syung Myung Me said "It's just incredibly catchy and... well, it just puts you in a good mood. I don't really have a whole lot more to add. I bet a kitten would like this song."

Me, I never though of The Cardigans as bubblegum, more of one of those bands that can get a subtle message through on a really good pop hook. Having said that, I never paid them any mind until I listened to Erase/Rewind, and decided that the heavy bass fuzz was great, and the lyrics weren't too bad either. I've always seen bubblegum as a great pop hook wrapped around vacuous lyrics, but really that's not my thing, so I may be wrong on that.
I do know that for pure Pop, there's few things that beat The Pet Shop Boys (and they've admitted that fact!).

On preview: I'll second Shonen Knife.

Not really recent, but Fuzzbox.

hellbient knows the score. I'm guessing later Fuzzbox (International Rescue) rather than earlier (Love is the Slug), tho, yes? Cute shouty girls with big hair rule ok!

Read This Book

Anything by Jet. Listen to Over My Shoulder by I Am Kloot. Lots of stuff by New Pornographers - it's happy and jangly.

The best NEW bubblegum single I've heard in ages in Toothpaste Kisses

It isn't recent, but you should check out The Pooh Sticks, esp. "The Great White Wonder" and "Million Seller."

The Mr. T Experience, if you like punk-flavored bubblegum.

If "Ba Ba ba ba ba" doesn't get you pogoing joyously around the living room, chances are you're dead.