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This album ranks 2nd to me, after their self-titled first release. I love their upbeat powerpop with nice guitar lines and harmonies. I simply love this band. I love their attitude and humor.
Utopia Parkway shows us a band well into its own clever writing style. I'm glad to have this in my collection as one of those secret records that most of my friends don't even know exists. This was FOW's 2nd record and you can tell why the public didn't react with a purchasing fervor. A bit of pop rock, witty lyrics that both have and poke fun, and great musicianship. Enjoy. It doesn't have what you would call "singles" all over it. That however, is not a bad thing at all.
I love to listen to it over and over again. It has this 70's sound to it. My favorite song is Dragon Tattoo. This is a great CD. There is not one song that I do not like.
through the Valley of Malls" from). Favorites include Red Dragon Tattoo, Troubled Times (one of prettiest relationship ending songs I think I've ever heard. The second (and probably least appreciated) album by Fountains of Wayne. and put them to tunes with varied (from the psychedelia of Go Hippie to the electronica of Denise) melodies. Almost make you want to break up all over again), and The Senator's Daughter. Although there are not many chart toppers here (mainly due to the album's softer tone), I found the album very enjoyable, although if I had to pick a single FoW album to own it would be their self titled debut. Chris and Adam continue to write lyric that make me laugh (who else would you hear "We've driving.
Zero. Never does this album drag. Great melodies. I love it. One of the few perfect pop music albums made in the past 25 years.
Arguably this is a better album than their latest and more famous Welcome Interstate Managers, but really both albums are five star efforts. And what's wrong with that. FoW are us. Sly little songs like Denise, Laser Show, and Lost in Space don't wear out their welcome.
They come in like a cool, refreshing breeze and are gone in less than 2½ minutes. If there was a college class on how to make a pop record, Utopia Parkway should be the primary textbook. Honestly, after a dozen listens to Utopia Parkway, I can't find any flaws. You will smile with recognition and thrill to the beauty of it. Fountains of Wayne are able to express genuine pity in songs like Go Hippie and Fine Day For A Parade, but even here their sense of humor and intelligence never flags. Hippie contains a classic guitar solo that recycles every stereotypical riff and effect from the psychedelic era and spits it out in one minute.
If pressed, I would say that lead vocalist Chris Collingwood's voice is slightly thinner and weaker than on FoW's latest studio record, Welcome Interstate Managers, but for this type of music, it is hardly necessary to have the chops of a Billy Joel or the power of a Springsteen to pull it off. Mostly FoW is about having a good time, describing ordinary life with wit, in a perfect musical context.
Like Interstate Managers, Utopia Parkway's songs are written from a middle-class suburban perspective. Don't be in the dark about this great band.
And Chris does, in spades.Red Dragon TatooIt's just about on meI got it for youSo now do you want meWith nothing to proveWill you be my honeyOh yeahIn you I confideRed dragon tatooI'm fit to be dyedAm I fit to have you.This chorus from the second song on Utopia Parkway sums up the humor, simplicity, and cleverness of Fountains of Wayne. There are no filler tracks on the album.
Sometimes it is easier to list an album's flaws than its strengths. They know exactly when to use acoustic guitars, electric guitars, a cheesy synth, or a soaring string part.
Great hooks. A few semi-serious songs will make you think, like the nostalgic Prom Theme.
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