Sitting in an “open air” bar in the airport, after talking myself into a Grey Goose and tonic (it was a short argument), aside two young guys wearing Oakleys and long-sleeved t-shirts, appearing as strangely suited doing “business work” as I -- clad in my Hard Rock New York muscle T and frayed Tommy slacks getting buzzed at 3:00 on a Sunday afternoon. What else is there to do but get comfortably numb when you have a three-hour layover? Though if you choose the route I’m taking, be sure to stay alert enough that you don’t drink yourself past your boarding time. There’s nothing worse than hearing your name over the PA requesting that you hurry your butt to the gate because your plane is about to leave. Believe me, I’ve done it, and it’s NOT fun. Especially with a 200lb backpack strapped to your posterior.

Beyond that I pop in Fountains of Wayne’s Welcome Interstate Managers and attempt to crank out a review. This is one of those CDs that, while it became a fast favorite of mine, I’ve had a hell of a time putting words to paper (or in this instance words to html). I don’t think it has anything to do with the CD itself, but more my state of mind – in other words, I’m a little burnt out and feeling completely tapped. So I figured I’d start writing and hoped that something would come to me that wouldn’t sound like the mindless ramblings of a half-drunk music fan attempting to be complimentary when she’s feeling quite contrary.

Instead I was transported out of my sleepy cocoon of boredom, by the words “I used to work for United Airlines. Then I was fired for reading High Times.” This struck me as hysterically ironic (okay so that’s not a true example of irony but if it’s good enough for Alanis, that’s sufficient for me). I found the CD to be even more intoxicating than the Grey Goose. With a silly grin on my face, and my head tipping from side-to-side along with the rhythm of “Stacy’s Mom”, I decided that this CD was far more pleasing then listening to the bartender crunching on ice cubes. While I resisted the urge to tell her how bad that was for her teeth I hummed along with the melancholy strains of “Hackensack” and brightened at the Christopher Walken reference. I mean, who doesn’t like Christopher Walken? (I actually have an IM “buddy icon” that has a picture of him rotating in and out with the words “Walken stole my soul!”)

Based on the hit “Stacy’s Mom”, most would assume Fountains of Wayne were just another pop-punk band trying to cash in with a catchy, mindless pop song. But once you scratch the surface you find amazingly melodic choruses, often reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young ("Valley Winter Song" and "Hey Julie") and pop tunes of the Better Than Ezra ("Peace and Love") and even the Barenaked Ladies ilk ("Halley's Waitress" and "Fire Island"). The only disappointment is that they chose to "hillbilly" "Hung Up On You" which has this great little chorus that leaves you singing along anyway.

Because of their diversity, it's no surprise they've toured with bands like OKGO, Smashing Pumpkins and matchbox twenty. Some other interesting facts – the band pays homage to Fast Times at Ridgemont High in their video for "Stacy's Mom" which stars Rachel Hunter (is she even old enough to be Stacy's mom?); drummer, Brian played in a band called the Posies, which is certainly an influence (see "Mexican Wine", "No Better Place" and "All Kinds of Time"); and they're up for "best song lyric" on Teen People's reader's choice poll. Well you've just GOT to get your hands on this CD now! But seriously, this is one of those discs that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Don't overlook them!

Note: Since the penning of this review I've heard "Bright Future In Sales" on a local Charlottesville station with the word "shit" bleeped out of the chorus, ("I'm going to get my shit together. I can't live like this forever. You know I've come too far and I don’t wanna fail, I've got a new computer and a bright future in sales.") Please do yourself a favor and don't allow yourself to be introduced to this song though the "radio edited" version. It's just not right! Damn the man!

www.fountainsofwayne.com