NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on May 12, 2004 16:17:45 GMT -5
Hey, I have just gotten into Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers CD. It is very infectious! The vocals are a bit bubblegum sounding. Several songs remind me of early Simon & Garfunkel. I find myself humming the songs throughout the day. And the lyrics are quite unique and humorous. Love "Halley's Waitress" about waiting for the waitress to come back with coffee. And the football song "All Kinds of Time" is really neat. Really captures the game. I know Stacy's Mom was a hit single, but not sure what others were released. Anyone know? I see that Blender Mag. picked it #3 of 2003 (behind Elephant & Speakerboxx/Love Below). The instrumentation on several songs reminded me a bit of certain Collective Soul songs. What's your opinion of this album?
|
|
EvanJ
6x Platinum Member
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 6,371
|
Post by EvanJ on May 12, 2004 19:29:03 GMT -5
"Mexican Wine" flopped after "Stacy's Mom."
|
|
Slinky
6x Platinum Member
Retired
Joined: December 2003
Posts: 6,777
|
Post by Slinky on May 13, 2004 10:35:00 GMT -5
Woo! This is my 2nd Fountains of Wayne post of the day. Anyway, these guys are my favorite band, and "Welcome Interstate Managers" is one of my favorite CDs ever. "Welcome Interstate Managers" is FoW's most mature and experimental CD. Still lots of edgy guitar-pop like they're known for, but some other styles like lounge ("Halley's Waitress") and even country ("Hung Up On You"). I don't think I'd compare them to Collective Soul, which is a bit harder-edged, but I think the comparison to Simon and Garfunkel or other 60's pop bands is a good one.
My favorite song off of "Welcome Interstate Managers" is "Mexican Wine", but most of the songs on the CD have gotten into my head at one time or another. With tracks like "Hackensack" and "All Kinds of Time", this CD is more heartfelt and serious than their previous efforts, but there's still plenty of fun songs like "Bright Future In Sales".
If you like Welcome Interstate Managers, you should pick FoW's first two CDs: their self-titled debut and "Utopia Parkway". Those albums don't have any tracks as poppy as "Stacy's Mom" and they don't really stray from guitar pop, but there's plenty of great melodies all around.
FoW was in DC 3 weeks ago, and they rocked! I would recommend checking them out live if they're ever in your area. I'm probably going to see them again in Delaware on Memorial Day weekend.
|
|
NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on May 13, 2004 11:05:18 GMT -5
Woo! This is my 2nd Fountains of Wayne post of the day. Anyway, these guys are my favorite band, and "Welcome Interstate Managers" is one of my favorite CDs ever. "Welcome Interstate Managers" is FoW's most mature and experimental CD. Still lots of edgy guitar-pop like they're known for, but some other styles like lounge ("Halley's Waitress") and even country ("Hung Up On You"). I don't think I'd compare them to Collective Soul, which is a bit harder-edged, but I think the comparison to Simon and Garfunkel or other 60's pop bands is a good one. My favorite song off of "Welcome Interstate Managers" is "Mexican Wine", but most of the songs on the CD have gotten into my head at one time or another. With tracks like "Hackensack" and "All Kinds of Time", this CD is more heartfelt and serious than their previous efforts, but there's still plenty of fun songs like "Bright Future In Sales". If you like Welcome Interstate Managers, you should pick FoW's first two CDs: their self-titled debut and "Utopia Parkway". Those albums don't have any tracks as poppy as "Stacy's Mom" and they don't really stray from guitar pop, but there's plenty of great melodies all around. FoW was in DC 3 weeks ago, and they rocked! I would recommend checking them out live if they're ever in your area. I'm probably going to see them again in Delaware on Memorial Day weekend. Hey, I just read your other post. I hope my library has the older albums. Not sure if I want to commit to buying them, you know. Always nice to give them a few spins before buying. These songs pop up in my head all day long. I was just singing Hackensack to myself. I do skip Stacy's Mom on the album cuz it got played to death. But really like the lighthearted nature and poppy melodies on this album. It's interesting that you mentioned that they were good in concert. I know they supported MB20 on this last tour and I remember hearing negative things about their live show. Particularly that the guitarist was drunk off his @ss most of the tour. LOL! Plus it sounded like they had a bad attitude on stage. I do think it is kinda strange that these guys have been around for years and were just nominated for Best New Band last year. What a farce! Not sure why I thought of Collective Soul when I heard their album. I think it is the intros to some of the songs that reminds me of certain CS songs. In fact, snipppets of several of their songs remind me of other songs. Just a few notes here and there. I never seem to be able to nail down what the song is that they remind me of though. The guitar on Stacy's Mom reminds me of a song by the Cars, I think. Do you know what song I mean?
|
|
Slinky
6x Platinum Member
Retired
Joined: December 2003
Posts: 6,777
|
Post by Slinky on May 13, 2004 12:34:53 GMT -5
It's interesting that you mentioned that they were good in concert. I know they supported MB20 on this last tour and I remember hearing negative things about their live show. Particularly that the guitarist was drunk off his @ss most of the tour. LOL! Plus it sounded like they had a bad attitude on stage. That's odd. They seemed like they were having a lot of fun on stage when I saw them. They talked to the crowd a lot, and even though most of the crowd only knew "Stacy's Mom", the band didn't seem visibly upset. It might have something to do with the venue. When I went to see them, they were playing in a small arena at American University, where a lot of people could stand right up near the stage. I'm assuming the MB20 tour was in much larger arenas. At the concert I went to, they were sharing the bill with N.E.R.D., so they may have gotten more playing time than when they were opening for MB20. I don't really know... just theories... but I can't say one bad thing about their live show. I actually notice that too, and I can't pin down most of the songs they remind me of either. The intro to "Stacy's Mom" sounds like the intro to The Cars "Just What I Needed" and there are parts that remind me of The Cars "Let's Go". Speaking of The Cars, FoW did a wicked medley in their live show. About halfway through "Radiation Vibe", the guitarist started playing a 70's song I didn't recognize, then segued into "Back In Black", and then into "Let's Go", which Chris Collingwood actually sang a verse of, trailing off with "when she says...", before finally getting back to "Radiation Vibe". I was kind of surprised that was the only cover they sang, as they're known for doing odd covers. I have a version of "Baby One More Time" by them.
|
|
NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on May 14, 2004 11:10:30 GMT -5
Woo! This is my 2nd Fountains of Wayne post of the day. Anyway, these guys are my favorite band, and "Welcome Interstate Managers" is one of my favorite CDs ever. "Welcome Interstate Managers" is FoW's most mature and experimental CD. Still lots of edgy guitar-pop like they're known for, but some other styles like lounge ("Halley's Waitress") and even country ("Hung Up On You"). I don't think I'd compare them to Collective Soul, which is a bit harder-edged, but I think the comparison to Simon and Garfunkel or other 60's pop bands is a good one. My favorite song off of "Welcome Interstate Managers" is "Mexican Wine", but most of the songs on the CD have gotten into my head at one time or another. With tracks like "Hackensack" and "All Kinds of Time", this CD is more heartfelt and serious than their previous efforts, but there's still plenty of fun songs like "Bright Future In Sales". If you like Welcome Interstate Managers, you should pick FoW's first two CDs: their self-titled debut and "Utopia Parkway". Those albums don't have any tracks as poppy as "Stacy's Mom" and they don't really stray from guitar pop, but there's plenty of great melodies all around. FoW was in DC 3 weeks ago, and they rocked! I would recommend checking them out live if they're ever in your area. I'm probably going to see them again in Delaware on Memorial Day weekend. Hey Slinky, I found FOW's first CD at a resale shop for $3.98. Haven't listened yet though. I like to sit down with the lyrics and give them a good listen. Gotta find the time. Thanks for all your input. Nice to know that you hear the familiar snippets in their songs too. I'm going to really listen for them and try to pinpoint them. Maybe we can figure them out!
|
|
NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on May 14, 2004 11:39:06 GMT -5
I actually notice that too, and I can't pin down most of the songs they remind me of either. The intro to "Stacy's Mom" sounds like the intro to The Cars "Just What I Needed" and there are parts that remind me of The Cars "Let's Go". How funny, "Just What I Needed" just came on my radio. As the song started I thought to myself "isn't that coincidental-- Stacy's Mom is on the radio". I guess that answers that one! LOL!
|
|
Rumors
3x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 3,414
|
Post by Rumors on May 14, 2004 20:57:57 GMT -5
I thought Stacey's Mom was a decent song. However, my guess is that the video did a lot to power that song. I was really surprised that Mexican Wine didn't do anything at radio (according to the poster above). I just assumed that they didn't release a follow-up song.
As for their live show, I was also at two MB20 shows and saw the opener, FOW. Quite honestly, the worst live band I've ever seen. Totally indifferent to the crowd, looked like 2 or 3 of the guys were stoned out of their minds, and the drunk half-naked almost underage girls they had sort of off to the side of the stage (at both shows) kind of indicated to me why this band isn't bigger than there are. You know its considered rock-n-roll to have groupies. No big deal to me but when the girls looked to be 18 at most and the guys are in their early/mid 30s...gave me a weird vibe.
With that said, I think this group probably has a pretty good show in a small club. I just don't think they are an arena band. Can't pull it off. Singer's vocals are also weak. Good musicians with some catchy tunes. That's about it. To think these guys are critical darlings and then see MB20 by far outplay them, IMO, and MB20 can't buy a good review, just makes you wonder what the heck critics are looking for.
Interesting tidbit according to an article I read about FOW. FOW's and MB20's debut albums were released on the same day in 1996 by the same label. I'd say there is probably only about 23 million albums sold separating the two groups today. Odd that the two bands were on the same label for several years but had never met before they toured together last year.
I'm glad you enjoy their music and I can honestly see what their appeal might be, but to me this is one highly overrated group. I know Chris Willman, music critic, from EW lists them as one of his favorite bands. No wonder he can't stand MB20.
|
|
Slinky
6x Platinum Member
Retired
Joined: December 2003
Posts: 6,777
|
Post by Slinky on May 14, 2004 22:06:11 GMT -5
With that said, I think this group probably has a pretty good show in a small club. I just don't think they are an arena band. Can't pull it off. Singer's vocals are also weak. Good musicians with some catchy tunes. That's about it. To think these guys are critical darlings and then see MB20 by far outplay them, IMO, and MB20 can't buy a good review, just makes you wonder what the heck critics are looking for. Well, I think you might be right about FoW not being an arena band, but that's fine with me. I'd rather be standing near the stage in a club anyway. I like Chris Collingwood's voice, but I could see how it might not hold up well in a large venue. Anyway, the main reason FoW are critics' darlings is because of the songwriting abilities of Adam Schlessinger and Chris Collingwood. Lyrically and musically, they just write damn good pop songs. I don't think any band parallels their combination of wit and melody. Unlike other pop bands, they are able to fill up a whole album with catchy songs, and the songs cohesively fit together in a theme. ("Welcome Interstate Managers" is mostly about workplace depression and frustration. "Utopia Parkway" is mostly about suburban boredom.) I might sound like a music snob here (OK, yeah I do), but I think a lot of that goes right over most people's heads, which is why FoW will always be critical darlings and not huge mainstream successes, unless they abandon their formula to try and woo a larger crowd. Matchbox 20 sounds pretty bland to me, musically and lyrically. With the exception of "Long Day", which is extremely underrated and one of my favorites, none of the Matchbox 20 singles really stand out to me. Of course, it's all just a matter of personal taste, but I fall on the critics' side on this one.
|
|
Edf85
7x Platinum Member
Most definitely in the place to be. T-Boz. Chilli. Never forget Left Eye.
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 7,092
|
Post by Edf85 on May 14, 2004 23:30:36 GMT -5
I like "It Must Be Summer"
|
|
Rumors
3x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 3,414
|
Post by Rumors on May 14, 2004 23:47:56 GMT -5
Hi Slinky. Again, I can see where Adam is a good songwriter. However, my personal taste in music really doesn't lend itself to quirky lyrics which is somewhat my opinion of FOW's music (based solely on the songs I heard them perform).
Anyway, its all fine. BTW, Rob Thomas is one fine songwriter. Check out You Won't Be Mine on the Mad Season album. It's a ballad with some jazzy undertones. Just shows a different side of his writing.
Just one other comment and this isn't directed at you because you were very cordial in your reply, however, I have always found it sort of amusing that people who do call themselves music snobs (you know - people who can't stand anything mainstream and MAY be more educated thank the casual music fan) often times make the assumption that we mainstream listeners "just don't get it." I'm kind of referring to your comment that FOW's lyrics are so clever they just fly over people's heads. Hence their lack of more commercial success. Well, I happen to have two college degrees and I do "get it." I just don't care for it. Like you said, personal tastes are different.
Again, that last paragraph wasn't addressed to you. It was just a general comment. Something I was already thinking from reading a post on another board that was somewhat similiar. The elitist attitude of many people who dismiss bands like MB20 or even a 3 Doors Down (who I only casually like) really irks me sometimes.
Sorry to derail the topic. :)
|
|
Rumors
3x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 3,414
|
Post by Rumors on May 14, 2004 23:58:45 GMT -5
It's getting late and I just reread my post. I hope I didn't come off too harsh. I think I tired. Anyway, you obviously love FOW as much as I love MB20/Rob Thomas.
This whole thing just reminded me of an article I read a few years ago from a music critic who was at a total loss as to why anyone would think that Rob was a good songwriter. She even implied that there was no way he could be a good lyricst since he was a high school dropout. That's the kind of snobbery that I was referring to.
|
|
Slinky
6x Platinum Member
Retired
Joined: December 2003
Posts: 6,777
|
Post by Slinky on May 15, 2004 10:47:46 GMT -5
Hi Slinky. Again, I can see where Adam is a good songwriter. However, my personal taste in music really doesn't lend itself to quirky lyrics which is somewhat my opinion of FOW's music (based solely on the songs I heard them perform). It's understandable. I have seen critics call them "too clever for their own good", though obviously I don't agree. Will do. Well, it wasn't directed at you personally. I can respect the fact that you "get it" and still don't like it, but I think there are a lot of people who don't. I remember reading opinions on Amazon.com by 12-year old girls complaining that "the songs didn't make any sense, and who the hell is Wayne?". Those are the people who don't get it. ;) I was kind of making fun of myself by calling myself a music snob, because I'm really not. There's a lot of mainstream stuff that is right up my alley. Because of that, I don't think I could make it as a critic, but this is one place I do agree with them. I don't think I casually dismiss MB20 or 3 Doors Down. Both of those bands have a couple songs I like. I'm not one of those people who thinks that all mainstream pop/rock is bad just because it's mainstream, but a lot of it does sound bland to me.
|
|
NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on May 17, 2004 10:52:37 GMT -5
Very interesting reading your posts. I think the critics like FOW because their lyrics are interesting and unique, not necessarily the melodies. The melodies seem very derivitive, IMO. But definitely catchy. I'm wondering also if their hailing from NY make them more of a critics' favorite. I often think that NY bands get better reviews just because the critics see them coming up and become attached to them. Sometimes I shake my head at what they say is good music. LOL! I also tend to see that southern bands get dissed. I do believe it is a sort of northern snobbery going on . And I'm just as guilty sometimes. Bands like MB20 and 3DD would get better reviews if they had only sprung out of NY, LA, SF or Seattle, IMO. I really like both FOW and MB20. Prefer Rob Thomas vocals by far, though. And I relate to Rob's lyrics more and can feel his emotions through his voice.
|
|
Rumors
3x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 3,414
|
Post by Rumors on May 17, 2004 15:44:35 GMT -5
Thanks for your reply Slinky. Maybe I need to give FOW another try.
Northcoast, you know I had never really thought about the southern band angle and poor reviews. I think its probably just the type of music that MB20 makes. As we all know, one Georgia band (REM) is really liked by the critics. Any more examples? Kings of Leon?
|
|
Slinky
6x Platinum Member
Retired
Joined: December 2003
Posts: 6,777
|
Post by Slinky on Jun 1, 2004 12:25:40 GMT -5
It's interesting that you mentioned that they were good in concert. I know they supported MB20 on this last tour and I remember hearing negative things about their live show. Particularly that the guitarist was drunk off his @ss most of the tour. LOL! Plus it sounded like they had a bad attitude on stage. As for their live show, I was also at two MB20 shows and saw the opener, FOW. Quite honestly, the worst live band I've ever seen. Totally indifferent to the crowd, looked like 2 or 3 of the guys were stoned out of their minds, and the drunk half-naked almost underage girls they had sort of off to the side of the stage (at both shows) kind of indicated to me why this band isn't bigger than there are. You know its considered rock-n-roll to have groupies. No big deal to me but when the girls looked to be 18 at most and the guys are in their early/mid 30s...gave me a weird vibe. Thought I'd resurrect this topic since I just went to an FoW show with a friend and made some observations. We actually saw the band hanging out a lot... they probably thought we were stalking them! But, no, it was really just coincidence. We saw them pull up in the limo and get out and yeah, as Rumors observed, they did have a pretty young looking groupie in there. We later saw them hanging out at a bar where we were hanging out. Surprisingly, no one was bugging them... I don't think most people recognized them as a famous group. They also looked like they didn't want to be bothered. Later, my friend and I got into the concert, realized it wasn't going to start for another hour and a half, and started looking for an exit, since we couldn't get out the way we came in because there were too many people. We found one and to our surprise, one of the band's guitarists (not Chris Collingwood or Adam Schlessinger) was sitting there with a staff member. The very drunk/stoned looking guitarist informed us that it was an emergency exit only. I said it should have had a sign on it that said that, and he agreed. So that was my encounter with a famous person... hehe. My friend mentioned that the hallway really wreaked of weed, but I couldn't really smell anything. Anyway, we eventually found a real exit, and came back an hour later to see the opener, former Lemonheads lead singer Evan Dando. After that, it took forever for Fountains of Wayne to finally come out, but when they did, it rocked! Best live show I've ever seen. Better than the FoW show I saw before because the crowd was much more into it. The one guitarist looked so drunk/stoned he could barely stand up... and yet he was playing solos perfectly! They even had Evan Dando come out and sing on their "Let's Go" cover... that was pretty cool as well. The crowd gave the band a huge response at the end, so I couldn't have been the only one who really enjoyed the show. Oh... and one really funny thing after the show: My friend and I were going to the bathroom and saw the band go into their dressing room. An obviously wasted middle-aged mother (maybe it was Stacy's Mom ;)) saw them too, and was BEGGING the staff members to let her see the band, while her hot teenage daughter just stood there embarassed, trying to do her best to pretend that she didn't know her drunk mother. :) It was freakin' hilarious. So... in summary... I can see where the MB20 fans are coming from when they complain about FoW's attitude, but the quality of the live show more than made up for it in my opinion, and the band didn't have a bad attitude once they got onstage, except for the guitarist being in a chemically altered state. Fountains of Wayne attitude offstage = not great, kind of aloof and rockstarish. Fountains of Wayne live show = best ever.
|
|
NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on Jun 1, 2004 19:59:36 GMT -5
Hey, thanks for the update. What size venue was it in? Maybe they just don't like being a warm up band? I love their current album. So light and breezy. Love All Kinds of Time. The lead singer is not exactly easy on the eyes, if you know what I mean. It's not the kind of band I would be totally devoted to, but enjoyable and I would highly recommend their CD. I bought there earlier one and have just listened once over the weekend. Not as poppy as their newer stuff. Gotta listen a few times though to make a good judgement.
|
|
Slinky
6x Platinum Member
Retired
Joined: December 2003
Posts: 6,777
|
Post by Slinky on Jun 1, 2004 21:44:38 GMT -5
Small concert hall/meeting room, standing room only. Yes, I think they are a small venue band.
|
|
NORTHCOAST
4x Platinum Member
Joined: October 2003
Posts: 4,285
|
Post by NORTHCOAST on Jun 3, 2004 19:39:31 GMT -5
I heard "Hey Julie" on the muzak at Home Depot today. Cool!
|
|