Traffic and Weather (CD - 2007)

Almost four years after Fountains of Wayne's mainstream breakthrough, 2003's WELCOME INTERSTATE MANAGERS, the New York City-based quartet returned with the full-length studio album TRAFFIC AND WEATHER. Another set of exuberant power-pop, this 14-track outing finds songwriters Chris Collingwood (lead vocals, guitar) and Adam Schlesinger (bass, backing vocals) once again offering up more catchy hooks and melodies in one tune than most bands can muster on an entire record. While the group's 1960s/'70s rock influences are still readily apparent (see the Beatlesque "Yolanda Hayes" and the Warren Zevon-like "'92 Subaru"), Collingwood and Schlesinger are capable of sounding utterly contemporary, as on the energetic and undeniably enjoyable opener, "Someone to Love," proving that FOW has something for almost any pop/rock fan. minimize