Fountains of Wayne

Item: Utopia Parkway
Author: Tom

Utopia Parkway

(1999)

Reviewed by Tom

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Label Atlantic RecordsDecapolis1999

alternative rock pop rock power pop

You have all seen the movie, "That Thing You Do", right? Well if you did not then go out and rent it right now, it is such a good movie. For those of you who did see the movie then you will know what song I'm talking about here. You know that "Wonders" tune, the pop hit "That Thing You Do", the song you heard at least 15 times during the movie? Well that song was written by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne. Schlesinger is not the only person who writes the songs for Fountains of Wayne though, he is joined by bandmate Chris Collingwood and together they compose pure pop bliss. The first song I heard from the album was the single, "Denise", and when I heard it I did not think I was going to really be into the full length. Well let me just say, don't judge Utopia Parkway by the first single. Once I got my hands on the CD, I quickly came to realize that this CD was great. On the whole CD there are only two songs I do not like. Those being, "Hat and Feet" (it was way too repetitive and boring), and "Go, Hippie" (I just did not like it). But other than those two songs, the rest of the album is awesome. The album is packed with infectious melodies, catchy hooks, funny lyrics and just an overall good feel. Some of the topics touched on in this CD are soccer moms, the Jersey shore, a bunch of love songs, driving around in your car, and a red dragon tattoo which makes them "look more like the guy from Korn". The song, "It Must Be Summer", has to be the theme song for the summer of 99, or at least for me it is. While, "Prom Theme", is the perfect slow dance song. I wish I was still in high school, because if I was I would do everything I could possibly do to have this song used as, well, the prom theme. If you're a fan of guitar pop, or power pop, whatever its called, then you have to go out and buy this album. I honestly can say this is one of the best pop albums I have ever heard. Also just to kind of set things straight in case there is some confusion here. When I use the word pop I don't mean that cheesy music you hear on those easy listening stations now. You know stuff like Michael Jackson, New Kids on the Block, or the Back Street Boys. I mean stuff like the Beach Boys, and Weezer, guitar pop in its truest form. Folks I think we have a new king of pop here in the form of the Fountains of Wayne. None of this Michael Jackson king of pop stuff.

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