Fountains of Wayne

 

Saw Fountains of Wayne at the Astoria last night. They were in London promoting their new album Traffic and Weather. It was the first time I’d seen them live and while the gig didn’t quite tip over that point where it stays with you for the rest of your life – like The Stone Roses at the Enmore (quite) a few years ago – it was still pretty good. Largely because they weren’t afraid to play stuff off their first two albums which, IMHO, are their best.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Fountains of Wayne – or only know them through the abominable Stacey’s Mum – imagine The Beach Boys, but set in New Jersey. Instead of the beach they go to the mall. And they don’t get there in a little deuce coupe either. They catch the PATH.

FoW are much smarter than the Beach Boys too. I can’t imagine Brian Wilson writing a song about going to Coney Island to get a tattoo to impress a girl who is into KORN. Or one imploring a girl to leave a Biker because he’s got ‘crumbs in his beard from the seafood special.’ (One of my favourite lyrics of all time, BTW.)

Some of the lyrics are so funny and concise that I find myself in awe of them. Places, feelings, all summed up in a few well-chosen words. I’ve put a few tracks on an IMEEM playlist that you’ll find here if you’re interested.

Anyway, back to the gig. Highlights? Radiation Vibe. A hyped-up version of Survival Car. And one of my personal favourites, the above mentioned Red Dragon Tattoo.

And another thing. Why do people bother taking pictures on their mobile phones at gigs? I took the one above and it looks like shit. And my phone has one of the highest quality cameras on the market.