This is almost impossible for a Fountains of Wayne fangirl such as myself to believe, but incredibly, the FoW show this Friday at The Crocodile is NOT sold out. What. Therfore, it is my duty to tell you people that The Wayne puts on some of the finest live shows around, and if you don't immediately get online and buy a ticket, you are going to regret it.
I realize that many of you didn't love Sky Full of Holes (Imaginary Steve might get into a minor fist-fight with you if you tell him that, though...), and I understand that. It's hard to match the power-poppy glory of their self-titled debut, or of Utopia Parkway - and I'm sure we've all heard "Stacy's Mom" more than a few too many times - but you know what? Their other albums are still damn good albums, and these guys still rock the hell out of every single one of their tunes. I always have an insane amount of fun at their shows, and you can bet I'll be near the front this Friday, screaming out the lyrics and dancing my ass off (which will make me incredibly easy to recognize, since only about 2% of people at Seattle shows dance). Join me?
Fountains of Wayne
w/Mike Viola at
The Crocodile
Friday, October 7
8pm | 21+ | $20 ($23 w/fees)
Fountains of Wayne photo by Violeta Alvarez, from the FoW web site
More than a great percentage of people I’ve met, I’m someone who likes things I can count on. This might explain everything from why I’ve worked only two jobs over the past decade to why I always pack my cigarettes exactly eight times. OK, “I’m nuts” might be a better explanation for the latter but I digress.
With all this in mind, Fountains of Wayne are, in many ways, the perfect band for someone like me. They figured out early on what they were good at and stuck to the script. When a new FoW record drops, you’re guaranteed to be treated to flawlessly constructed pop songs with tight yet exceedingly simple arrangements. They’re the most reliable three and a half minutes in rock n roll. Suffice to say, Sky Full of Holes continues in this vein.
That said, FoW’s fifth full length is hardly a carbon copy of their previous catalog. Most notably, they’ve dialed back the punchy electric guitar approach that has been something of a staple. Sky Full of Holes relies much more on mid-tempo, largely acoustic backdrops. About half way through, I found myself thinking a lot about The Get Up Kids.
Latest comment by: Imaginary Steve: "
Wow....and here I was thinking that, if anyone at all, it'd be Rush that I pissed off! Or maybe Dr. Phil. Nevertheless, I'm just flattered that any attention at all would be directed at the musings of an escaped mental patient with internet ...
Ahhh….summer. There's nothing quite like cranking up a bouncy, happy song on a sunny day - whether you're in a car with the top down, or taking a sunshiny sidewalk stroll with your earphones firmly in place. Sadly, once again this summer, the sunny days in Seattle have been few and far between (Hello, July?). Here's to hoping this beach and BBQ-ready virtual mixtape I put together will keep you feeling warm!
1. The Drums - "Let's Go Surfing" - Summertime EP (2:55)
{tig} {listen} {buy}
2. Bow Wow Wow - "I Want Candy (Kevin Shields Remix)" - Marie Antoinette Soundtrack (2:40)
{listen} {buy}
3. The Submarines - "You Me and the Bourgeoisie" - Honeysuckle Weeks (3:22)
{tig} {listen} {buy}
{more tracks after the jump}
Latest comment by: Imaginary Amie: "
Jody! It's done (that was uh, super easy): If you have a Spotify account, you can listen to my Summer playlist at: http://open.spotify.com/user/posiegirl/playlist/2BgtbhpCgk8gz25W56Ie6L
"
by hot avocados photography
Latest comment by: Jack: "Nice review. Colin needs the Queer Eye guys to take away that shirt, but otherwise the show was enjoyable in LA last night."
If you're not already sick of Christmas music (and who could blame you if you were?), are there any songs this holiday that you are especially enjoying?
Latest comment by: Al: "About the only one I can stand is the Sarge cover of Last Christmas. If you've never heard it feel free to enjoy it over on my myspace page. http://www.myspace.com/alhong Merry Xmas!!!"
Since I have the time and am not terribly anxious to go outside in the rain again but am looking to start an argument or two, here's my list of my top 10 albums of the year, with YouTube-age of my favorite song from each album (where available).
Latest comment by: gagner au poker: "
Tous vous adversaires veulent aussi gagner au poker, donc il faut bien savoir quand bluffer et quand renoncer à la mise.
That date is wanly subtle. That dull department repaid out of the conservative foot. I upset that group as one gagner au poker. I ...So I was browsing around the iTunes music store and I stumbled across a section called "Alternative for Adults". Having just turned 30, I was curious what they expect adults who like alternative should be listening to these days. Well, I was slightly mortified. Here is the list:
Brandi Carlisle, Augustana, Ray LaMontagne, Patty Griffin, Bright Eyes, Amy Winehouse, Fountains of Wayne, Martin Sexton, Amos Lee, Angelique Kidjo, John Mayer (?!), Joss Stone (equally ?!), Norah Jones, Ryan Shaw, Son Volt and Tori Amos.
Is this what we're all doomed to turn into or does iTunes have a low opinion of what adults who do not want to listen to mainstream want to hear? Honestly, I would consider maybe 3 of those acts as "alternative," while the rest just seem to be NPR neo-country/neo-jazz. Of course, I suppose that is alternative in its own sense. How do we deal with aging as modern rockers? Should I just give up now and start buying the Ray LaMontagne back catalog and burn my Fugazi and Atari Teenage Riot CDs? *Sigh*
Latest comment by: Maia: "Sounds like they got it confused with the 'Cool as Folk' station on Yahoo radio. However, I'm 24 and most of those artists are in my itunes library; not in heavy rotation on the ipod, but still there no less. On an unrelated note; did anyone else catch Ben Gibbard ...
For as many listings we've got this week, there's nothing I'm super excited about. Amy Sedaris is always a hoot (she and Letterman have quite the banter). Kaiser Chiefs are all over the place, and Alice Cooper chatting up Carson Daly (or vice versa) could be interesting.
Latest comment by: imaginary boy embracey: "Tuesday night. Or Wednesday night. What gives?"
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