After four years, power pop quartet Fountains of Wayne are back with their fifth full-length album, Sky Full of Holes. The band's amazing since of pop melodies and keen songwriting are still alive and kicking, but with a darker tone. While their are still lighter moments, like the upbeat "Radio Bar."
The band's knack for quirky storytelling is present of the album's first single, "Richie and Ruben." It's the tale of a pair of unsuccessful entrepreneurs.
Frontman Chris Collingwood's distinct, nasal baritone is incredibly sincere, so much so that he can sell some of the more comical lines like "Let's get your phone reconnected, let's get this room disinfected" in the somber "Hate To See You Like This."
Sonically, the album features more acoustic feel than anything they've previously released. Gone are the all out electric rockers and in are more jaunty rocking, Kinks-esque tunes.
Sky Full of Holes features some of the band's best songwriting since 1999's Utopia Parkway. The band are a lesson in how to grow older as a power pop band and remain relevant. Other bands (I'm looking at you Weezer) should be taking notes.
Sky Full of Holes is out now via Yep Roc Records.
No comments:
Post a Comment