Record Label: Virgin Records Year: 2007
Track listing:01. Someone To love
02. 92 Subaru
03. Yolanda Hayes
04. Traffic and weather
05. Fire in the canyon
06. This better be good
07. Revolving Dora
08. Michael and Heather at the baggage claim
09. Strapped for cash
10. I-95
11. Hotel majestic
12. Planet of weed
13. New routine
14. Seatbacks and traytables
02. 92 Subaru
03. Yolanda Hayes
04. Traffic and weather
05. Fire in the canyon
06. This better be good
07. Revolving Dora
08. Michael and Heather at the baggage claim
09. Strapped for cash
10. I-95
11. Hotel majestic
12. Planet of weed
13. New routine
14. Seatbacks and traytables
Does anyone remember Fountains of Wayne? They released the hit song 'Stacey’s Mom' and then seemed to disappear into obscurity for four years.
Emerging from underneath the rock they crawled under, they have released their latest creative masterpieces Traffic and Weather.
One of the things that appeals to me about Fountains of Wayne is that they can be rated
among bands such as Bowling For Soup that are never going to be taken seriously, or who, don’t even take themselves seriously.
among bands such as Bowling For Soup that are never going to be taken seriously, or who, don’t even take themselves seriously.
However, if you peel away the layers of quirkiness, there’s substance behind each of their songs. The themes are not any different from their previous albums, with Fountains of Wayne, this time, finding many different ways to not be in love.
There’s the two lonely professionals- Seth Shapiro and Beth McKenzie, who keep missing each other in 'Someone to Love'. The jaded single who would rather move home to Canada than risk falling in love with a Liechtensteinian in 'New Routine'; or the newscasters declaring their lust for each other on the title track 'Traffic and Weather'.
Travel and transportation plays a big part with Fountains of Wayne, and Traffic and Weather shows that this has not changed, whether it be a song about a 92 subara, on the I-95 or miserably sitting on a couch, waiting on a delayed flight.
The whole album has an upbeat feel to it despite the lost chances at love, and strong messages about alcohol, drugs, escaping from the past, or your bad job. All the songs are quirky enough, and have a pop-feel that makes you want to just tap your fingers along in rhythm. You can’t help but love a band that manages to be serious while not taking themselves seriously.
In that aspect, each song is cleverly written and sees Fountains of Wayne at their best. Songs not to miss: 'Yolanda Hayes', 'Someone To love', 'Revolving Dora', and 'Strapped For Cash'.. Rating: HHHH
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