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Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
 
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. ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Fountains of Wayne
Title: Fountains of Wayne
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Original Release Date: 10/1/1996
Release Date: 10/1/1996
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock
Styles: Indie & Lo-Fi, Power Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 075679272522, 075679272546, 756792725224, 007567927252

Synopsis

Amazon.com
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

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Member CD Reviews

Dan C. from VERGENNES, VT
Reviewed on 5/20/2018...
Loved Welcome Interstate Managers, and have always wanted to listen to more Fountains. Would have gone about purchasing in a more organized fashion, eventually, but this one cropped up here at Swapa, so I nabbed it. Glad I did.

Athena is said to have emerged fully formed from Zeus' forehead when he had a splitting headache. I don't know which rock god Fountains of Wayne came from, but he must have had a pretty bad migraine. Subsequent albums may use a larger palette, but from the very first track, they sound like Fountains of Wayne: well-constructed songs with well-considered lyrics, cheeky humor, generous spirit, and a lot of fun.

CD Reviews

Power pop at its best
Scott B. Saul | COOPER CITY, FL USA | 09/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"
Wow
ROCKER | Missouri | 10/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."