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Okay, okay, I’ve left it a bit late to be doing this weeks “Band of the Week” but… well, I’ve busy. Busy busy busy. Plus, with the bank holiday, I’m only two days late. Well, thats what I like to try and fool myself by saying.
I had big issues choosing which band was to be “Band of the Week” with both Travis and Manic Street Preachers having efforts out. However, as both of these are “past their prime” shall we say I decided to settle on Fountains of Wayne, who had their fourth studio album “Traffic and Weather” out on Monday here in the UK. Most well known for their huge hit “Stacy’s mom”, they’re a band on the up, offering a 14 song collection of power-pop packed with humour and innovative story telling.
Opener “Someone to Love” is one of the highlights of the album, chronicaling the tale of Seth and Beth, who are both lonely, and ultimately Beth kills Seth. Lines such as “And an hour in the shower is the best that you’ve got” just fit in perfectly, and make the songs one of the best on the album.
Ballad I-95 is a delicate ballad about the Interstate 95, a yearning song again, about loneliness. Its a theme of the album, and one that probably stems from the bands years on the road.
The song titles on their own are pretty humorous - “Michael And Heather At The Baggage Claim” “Planet Of Weed” and “Seatbacks And Traytables” being just three examples.
They play the Astoria in 12 days time on 21st May - give them a go. Much like Barenaked Ladies, they offer a show not to be missed.
