Fountains Of Wayne: Sky Full Of Holes

Fountains Of Wayne
Sky Full Of Holes
Yep Roc Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: A more mature Fountains Of Wayne makes a solid return to the indie scene.

Album Review:
I think that when most people here Fountains Of Wayne, they immediately think "Stacey's Mom". Although, it is an incredibly catchy and fun song, that is not what I think when I hear FOW. I think of the excellent power pop that was on their first couple records with songs like "Radiation Vibe", "Survival Car", "Leave The Biker", and "Red Dragon Tattoo". This is the band that opened for plenty of big indie groups back in the day and features the heavily sought after producer/songwriter Adam Schlesinger, which was also in the stylistic band Ivy. Fast forward 15 years and the band is back with Sky Full Of Holes and right from the record's opening strums you sort of feel like Fountains Of Wayne are trying to pull back the super sweet and replace it by providing actual substance. Overall, the album sounds much more mature, as Fountains Of Wayne still offer plenty of catchy hooks but in a much more refined approach, especially compared to their lackluster last outing Traffic And Weather [2007]. Sky Full Of Holes gives you a well done country flare on "A Road Song", the all serious closer "Cemetery Guns", probably the best ballad they have written in "Hate To See You Like This" and then the catchy and memorable "Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart" which is classic FOW. This combination runs all the way through Sky Full Of Holes and brings back FOW where they belong among their peers of quality indie music. Longtime fans should enjoy this record and time will tell, but played in the right place there is no reason that Fountains Of Wayne couldn't have another hit on their hands - just not as in your face!

Key Tracks: "Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart", "Hate To See You Like This", "Cemetery Guns"

Bands With Similar Fire:
They Might Be Giants
Cheap Trick
The Young Veins

Fountains Of Wayne: Traffic And Weather [Fire Note Review 4/9/07]

Fountains Of Wayne Website
Fountains Of Wayne Facebook
Yep Roc Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony