As some reviewers have noted, Adam and Chris don’t really offer up anything new on “Traffic and Weather”. But I don’t care…this is the first band that I’ve fallen in love with in a long time. On my last road trip, I played the first 3 CD’s over and over and over again. I just love their–um, for a lack of a better term–lyric sensibility. There’s a story in every song.
I hated (hated, hated) “Stacy’s Mom”, but otherwise, FOW carries the power pop torch high…with a touch of country twang, to boot.
I only know Mexican Wine, but it is one of my fav’s.
Some people don’t know that Fountains of Wayne did the music for That Thing You Do. While I’m unfamiliar with their music outside of that context, I have to say I respect them for capturing that style so well in the movie.
Welcome Interstate Managers wasn’t anything new either, but it won them a best new artist award. This CD rocks but I really think the second half should be the first. Strapped for Cash is brilliant and New Routine illustrates my current situation/frustration like I could never.
Traffic and Weather is definitely their weakest album to date, but I think that “someone to love” is a fantastic song (is it the single? it should be), and there are some definite gems. Schlesinger is one of the better pop songwriters of his generation.
I’ve seen a few people say they hate (Hate HATE!) Stacy’s Mom over the last few days and I really can’t understand. I think it’s great.
Sure it’s not the best song from Welcome Interstate Managers (that honor goes to “Hey Julie”), but I think it’s a fun little song. And the video’s a riot.
I agree with Justin Bailey. Except, while I love Hey Julie, Bright Future in Sales was it for me on WIM…rockin’ tune and incredibly insightful lyrics…
I love them and their slice-of-life lyrics offered in perfect pop compositions. They are brilliant short story writers I can tap my foot to.
Fact: According to the book DisneyWar by James Stewart (no, not that one), the ABC network seriously considered a series based on the song Stacy’s Mom. It would have been a sitcom about kids who come over to Stacy’s house just to check out her mom. Yeah, Hollywood’s a weird place.
Fact: There really is a Fountains of Wayne. Since I don’t live too far from where it actually is, I always chuckle inside when I read the band’s name.