Fountains of Wayne - Fountains of Wayne

Fountains of Wayne is one of the leaders of the latest in a long series of power- pop revivals. If the music sounds a lot like mid-'60s pop rock, it's no accident, for the songwriters are unabashed British Invasion fans. The songs on the debut album, Fountains of Wayne, take perky, '60s-like hooks and marry them to ambiguous, unnerving, '90s-like lyrics. Some songs offer an untrustworthy narrator; when the singer complains about "Joe Rey," a Eurotrash jet-setter, you wonder whether he's expressing disdain or envy and whether the song's noisy guitar energy belongs to the band or to Joe Rey. And there's something about the pent-up Mersey-beat energy and pleading vocals of "Please Don't Rock Me Tonight" that make one suspect the singer doesn't really mean what he says. Schlesinger and Collingswood are undeniably clever, but they're not afraid to rock. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

 A solid debut and a good indicator of things to come.
As a relatively late arrival to this band, I've been working my way around their catalog finally getting to the debut. I found pretty much what I expected: incredibly clever wordplay wrapped around solid power pop hooks; this band has been solid since the beginning. "Leave The Biker" alone is worth the price of the CD; a tale that every guy who thought Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" needed an update, will be more than satisfied with. The CD is filled with various takes on life's little mysteries and it's interesting to see how close the band stayed to its roots. If I have any complaint, it is the overwhelmingly mellow music; a little edge occasionally would be appreciated, but as a debut this is a good indicator of how talented this band is. October 8, 2007

 Wow
I discovered this in 1997, long before Stacy's mom. If you like Stacy's Mom, you will love this album. It blows away their later stuff. It is a must have if you love catchy, pop, infectious music. You will be tapping your toe almost the entire time. There are a couple of slower songs, but the rest of the album sufficiently makes up for the speed bumps. MUST HAVE. October 28, 2006

 power pop at its best
This is a classic work that has yet to be formally recognized.

FOW is a terrific power pop group. They have 2 other cds out that are good but not as earnest as this one. FOW tends to be tongue in cheek, smarmy, sometimes too cute. Their first cd, this one, is more pure and honest.

What makes the group so good is the lyrics. They are clever yet at the same time done in a unique, conversational manner. Like a close friend telling you a story, in everyday jargon only to music. The music is amped up... Ramones style (but more musically sophisticated).

All the songs are great, there is no filler. "Radiation Vibe" kicks off the cd with energy and a very catchy chorus. "Joe Rey" moves fast and employs a Nirvana soft/heavy style. "Shes got a problem" and "Sick Day" epitomizes the unique conversational songcraft. "Barbara H" rocks, rocks rocks! "I've got a problem" and "Leave the Biker" examplifies the wit in their songwriting.

The cd moves at a quick pace.

Interestingly, the very precious cd cover art of a little boy in pajamas acting out some fatasy, "I.m a superhero" thing perfectly reflects the tone and theme of this cd. This was music made, at the time, by and up and coming band that did not care what was in vogue and maintained a very real and honest vibe.

Their other cds are very good but not like this one! September 9, 2006

 one of my faves
One of those rare albums where EVERY song on it is excellent. Each track on here are filled with extremely catchy hooks that will stick in your head for months. I still have a hard time getting some of the songs out of my head, after I heard for the first time about 4 months ago.

I came into this album expecting a generic 90's alt rock album, when I heard in actuality a brilliant Beatles/Beach Boys influenced power pop with a modern production filled with references of the tri-state area.

Some of the lyrics struck me as really lame at first, like in "Leave The Biker", but once you realize how awesome the music is, you start to pick out that these are obviously tongue in cheek. "I've Got A Flair", "Joe Rey", "Barbara H"... it is extremely hard to get these hooks out of your head.

"Everything's Ruined", my favorite song on the album is on here too, which is quite unlike anything else on the album. It is a gentle piano ballad with a beautiful melody and lyrics that are obviously meant to be more serious.

If there's any similar album like this one that came out around the same time, i'd definitely like to hear it. This is an excellent album and has quickly become one of my favorites of all time. September 4, 2006

 Self Titled Magic
There isn't a song in this collection that isn't at least good. Catchy, quirky lyrics, with British Invasion inspired melodies. Be careful, or after listening to this album you'll catch yourself singing it. Radiation Vibe, Sick Day, and Please Don't Rock Me Tonight are my personal favorites. August 26, 2006

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