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Fountains of Wayne
Utopia Parkway
(Atlantic)
First Appeared at The Music Box, April 2000, Volume 7, #4
Written by Michael Karpinski
Just as there are times when nothing so soothes the soul as a sackful of bite-sized sliders,
there are instances when nothing so charms the heart as fourteen delectably unpretentious patties of
perfect pop. Suddenly overcome by the munchies? In desperate need of some grease? Then please pull
up to the second window: Fountains of Wayne will be happy to serve you.
Utopia Parkway soundly surpasses the New York City-based collective’s pleasant but
unassuming self-titled 1996 debut (and its toe-tapping, MTV Buzz Bin single Radiation Vibe).
This time out, the training wheels are off; the Huffy’s been upgraded to a Harley. Evident again are
principal band members Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood’s passion for ’60s Brit-pop and ’70s
power pop (the Zombies-evocative Valley of Malls, the Herman’s Hermits-charming Fine Day
for a Parade, and Laser Show, which suggests a Bay City Rollers meeting of the Beatles by
way of The Beach Boys). In a more contemporary context, Go, Hippie alternately shimmers and
swaggers like grade-A Oasis, and the crack-hooky Denise blows away Blur. Finally, there’s the
pristine Prom Theme -- a syrupy-stringed camp ballad guaranteed to induce bittersweet,
corsage-on-crinoline memories in former teenaged deities and dweebs alike.
If what you seek in your music is metaphysical depth and philosophical wisdom, then Utopia
Parkway is clearly not your street. But if you’re simply searching for the perfect sonic
complement to that late-night cruise through the fast food drive-thru, then this is your baby. With
or without fries.  ½
Utopia Parkway is also available from Amazon.com.
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Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2000
The Music Box
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