Traffic and weather

I am completely enamored of the recent Fountains of Wayne album, and I don't care who knows it.

Yes, I know they're formulaic. Yes, they tell too many stories and sing pop tunes in the key of happy with the same harmonies and versions of the same clever lyrics. Yes, many of the stories are sappy. Simplistic. Of love that is resolved in three verses with a bridge. Yes, this is a retread of everything they've ever done before, and Leave the Biker has never been bested (though in my humble opinion Red Dragon Tattoo, Hey Julie, and Valley of Malls are its equal.)

I don't care.

I don't even care that they wrote the songs to that Hugh Grant/Drew Barrymore movie, Music and Lyrics, which, by the way, I loved for its sappiness, too. And for Hugh Grant's silly dancing. But mostly for the sappiness.

There truly are few things that make me happier than a well-turned pop song. And even fewer happy things are available at the spin of the iPod wheel.

Fountains of Wayne rock. Rock, I tell you. ROCK.

Comments

BeckEye said…
I'm not a huge fan of Leave the Biker, but I will agree that Red Dragon Tattoo is fantastic. I'd say their absolute best. Hey Julie is wonderful as well, as are Denise, Radiation Vibe and the lovely slow jam Troubled Times.
1:28 pm
Melinda June said…
Duh! How could I have forgotten those! Or Hackensack! Or Barbara H.! Delightful, they are.
3:04 pm
Some Guy said…
I wholeheartedly agree.
8:59 am
Cup said…
You tell 'em, Melinda June. I enjoyed the guilty pleasure that was Music and Lyrics, too. Don't have the new Fountains of Wayne disc; guess I need to mosey over for a download ...
12:30 pm
Bramley Apple Pies! said…
While I agree that FOW rock, I do need to inform you that it is I who truly rock. Last night having never played the game before, after trying a few easier songs, I successfully played my way through Freebird in Guitar Hero 2. You rock came on the screen and the guy smashed his guitar.

I rock!
7:01 pm
Melinda June said…
Glad to hear a resounding agreement from you all. Beth, I have to say it's worth your time.

They're playing free a week from Saturday at the Minnesota State Fair, FYI.

And BAP, I believe there has never been any disagreement about your rockingness, but glad to hear the computer has validated it. Impressive accomplishment! But can you play it on the uke?
7:28 pm
Tenacious S said…
Mindy, there is nothing wrong with music that makes your head happy and your toes tap. Perfect pop is an art form if you ask me.
8:52 am
Ben-Bob said…
In the "one handshake away" category, did I ever tell you that Adam Schlesinger, FoW's bass player, interned with us for a while out in Boston?
2:36 pm
Melinda June said…
Uh, NO. How could you keep something like this from me??? Is he as sexy as I think he is? Are you the bad boss the sing of in Hey Julie?
5:17 pm
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