The forthcoming release (April 3rd via Virgin Records) Traffic and Weather from art-rockers Fountains of Wayne may not be “the dawning of the age of Aquarius” but it might just qualify as the second coming of “new wave.”
That's because on their new album, their first proper release since 2003’s Welcome Interstate Managers, strikes a perfect balance of pop rock bliss and nerdy pontificating. To break that down even further, I’m saying the band mixes the catchy beats of pop artists like Prince with the smarty-pants lyrics of bands like Sonic Youth and R.E.M.
This is especially evident on tracks like “Someone to Love” and the outstanding title track “Traffic and Weather” that with any luck will be enjoying heavy rotation on a campus radio station near you in the not-so-distant future.
The album isn’t perfect however and occasionally hits some snags when the band tries to slow down the party. The song “This Better Be Good” is a perfect example and sounds like a bad cross between Weezer, who should have called it a day after recording the great novelty hit “Buddy Holly,” and Modest Mouse.
In 2003, before dropping off the musical radar, Fountains of Wayne won the Grammy for “best new artist” off the strength of the song “Stacy’s Mom” from the aforementioned Welcome Interstate Managers. I note this because that album was actually the bands third album. Of course we are talking about the same awards organization that gave Jethro Tull an undeserved hand-job in 1989 for “best heavy metal album” for Crest of a Knave Don't get me wrong Crest of a Knave is a great album but is far from heavy metal.
Hopefully this won’t be the case this time around and Traffic and Weather will be recognized for what it is, a great comeback album from a band that potentially has a great future ahead of them, if they can navigate the many pitfalls of the music business.
Article comments
1 - Jason
I'm excited to finally see a review of the album.
2 - Anna
"L.A. art rockers"?
Now, what band are we talking about again? :)
3 - JR
Don't get me wrong Aqualung is a great album but is far from heavy metal.
I dare say it's heavier than anything Metallica put out in 1971.
4 - Brandon Daviet
This is the Author. There are several errors in this review, I am working on having them corrected. I can't edit the piece without an editor, but I am aware of the mistakes and they will be fixed.
Brandon Daviet
5 - Anna
Hahaha, didn't mean to nitpick there. I'm just a big fan of the band.
6 - joyce
I am a huge fan of the band.I like the first release,and can't wait until April 3rd to hear the rest of the album.Welcome Interstate Managers is one of my favorite albums.
7 - JC Mosquito
Luv Fountains of Wayne - but just imagine how popular they might've been if they didn't have such a stoopid name. Maybe they could change it to Stacy's Mom, or Aqualung even.
8 - Tim
So, Weezer should've given up before they recorded "pinkerton"? That implication makes the rest of your review completely uncredible.
9 - Brandon Daviet
Tim said...
"So, Weezer should've given up before they recorded "pinkerton"? That implication makes the rest of your review completely uncredible."
No that means it is my opinion. Just because you like Weezer dosen't mean I have to...Why don't you write the review...
Brandon Daviet
10 - Catie
He's right, Weezer sucked after Pinkerton aside from maybe one or two songs off the Green Album.
11 - Pop Kulcher
Brandon --
Thanks for the review. I look forward to hearing the album, warts and all. Your review is helpful. That said, and with apologies for nitpicking, I do want to join in the earlier criticism of calling them "art-rockers." I think art rock is generally a term interchanged with prog -- and I don't think anyone is going to confuse FoW with, say, Yes or King Crimson or Gabriel-era Genesis. If you're looking for a genre to toss them into, I think power pop is a better fit.
And comparing them to Prince, Sonic Youth & R.E.M.? I don't think any of those bands really come to mind (unless the new album, which you have heard and I have not, is a radical departure). Yes, FoW have a history of smarty-pants, clever (perhaps too clever) lyrics, but neither Sonic Youth nor R.E.M. fall remotely into that camp -- Sonic Youth is kinda arty, R.E.M. is deadly earnest. For snarky lyrics, good & bad, I'd think someone more along the lines of Ben Folds, or (as you mention) Weezer.
12 - Brandon Daviet
In response to Pop Kulcher:
Just for the record the band's press release, that came with the album, defines them as "art rockers" their term, or their publisists, not mine.
Other than that thanks for your comments they were well thought out.
Brandon Daviet