It's just that this earlier album isn't quite as consistently and compositionally mature as later work. the Shins who? One of the year's ten best so far! On the mind-numbingly charming Welcome Interstate Managers, Fountains of Wayne do what they do best. Lyrically, my favorite track on "Welcome Interstate Managers" is "All Kinds of Time" about a young football player experiencing a moment that contains a kind of grace and certainty; he sees not only the play he has called coming off correctly, but, as a consequence of that success, he gets a glance into a greater future by virtue of an almost magically calm (or Holy) insight. This is the record that lives up to the hype and more. Stacy, can I come. The songs within this CD almost feel forced for attention. The entire CD is infused with a good natured look at people---foibles,warts,and all.Like their other albums,they look at the work world, how we make a living and what it does to us.And unlike a lot of CDs you can make out the words that are being sung;it does not come out like so much mariachi music,evertything sounding like one long incomprehensible song. I think that these guys are brilliant...this is their 3rd album and they just keep getting better and better. While I agree with some of the other reviewers that the first 3 songs are the catchiest in a "first listen" sort of way, the others creep up on you. No weak songs, great production, highly recommended. No doubt, the music that falls between the Beatles and Bacharach extremes suffers slightly from adherence to formula, but few can boast such immediately memorable melodies. this is the best cd ever made they rock the party and will rock on forever!ROCK ON. Every song is well written and performed. Not only their crowning achievement to date but also one of the year's finest albums, period. Universal acclaim These versatile, talented, able musicians have produced a collection that my little boy (3 and a half) and I can't wait to hear whenever. Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2003. Even at their most piercingly observant, Collingwood and Schlesinger never lose their warmth for their subjects, and their lack of condescension comes through in the music, as well. "Stacy's Mom" is the most catchy tune. Welcome Interstate Managers is a watershed accomplishment, surpassing the band's debut in terms of whimsical pop songcraft, lyrical astuteness and blind melodic ambition. It says a. based on Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2003. Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2016. Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2004, lyrics you can hear;lyrics that make sense, Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2003. Bubble gum pop at it's best. However, it wasn't until 2003's Welcome Interstate Managers and the hit single Stacy's Mom that Fountains of Wayne got launched into mainstream radio play. The songcraft and lyrical wit of Chris Collingwood and the late, great Adam Schlesinger have never been sharper; there's not a bad song on this record and a lot of them (e.g. Critic Reviews Each album has had its strengths and this one is equal to its predecessors in every aspect. Surprised? Honestly, you will not be disappointed with any of the albums by Fountains of Wayne. I've been a FOW fan since the beginning. Stacy's mom has got it goin' on Get it fast! There's a problem loading this menu right now. The songs on this album are, in my words, beautiful. How could they have recorded something this good, and it took me nine years to find out about it? I hope FOW's next CD does not fall within these parameters again. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. If you're just getting into Fountains of Wayne, you'll most likely be expecting the one great, catchy single and 15 other half-assed attempts to recreate the same sound. Free (& Subscription) Games for All Platforms: New & Upcoming, What to Watch Now on HBO Max and the HBO App, December Preview: 16 TV Shows & New Movies to Watch at Home, Neil Young Archives Vol. Best thing out of jersey since Springsteen. These versatile, talented, able musicians have produced a collection that my little boy (3 and a half) and I can't wait to hear whenever we're in the car. It was released by S-Curve Records on June 10, 2003. Take a listen;you won't be disapppointed. I can totally relate to the lyrics. Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2003. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Welcome Interstate Managers at Amazon.com. The most fun band of the past decade behind "That Thing You Do", the theme to Crank Yankers and the MTV smashes "Radiation Vibe" and "Sink to the Bottom" is back with a full arsenal of 16 power-pop songs loaded with hooks and sing-along choruses. - Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2017. Extremely catchy, polished pop-rock. This opinion is subjective, so some other guy or girl might think this is a pile of doggy doo doo. "All Kinds of Time" is more moving and thoughtful than anything they've done before this album. The initial reaction is "hey, that's good stuff" followed by "wow, these are terrific songs" and then possibly embarassment at work as you perform air guitar and belt out the lyrics (not so much of a problem with this album, but definitely a hazard with other FOW songs like "California Sex Lawyer"). If you don't own it buy it now. The group encapsulates the Atlantic seacoast just as 1980s twangers the dBs embodied the South and the Beach Boys captured California. II (1972-1976) [Box Set], Music title data, credits, and images provided by, Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by, Stacy's mom has got it goin' on Get it now! Don't believe the hype about that overrated band. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. They rocked then, and they rock now! Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Being a 48-year old fan of rock'n roll, I hear echos of Simon & Garfunkel, Smithereens, Beatles, Kinks. "Welcome Interstate Managers" by Fountains of Wayne is a flat-out stunner. Although I am pleased that they have finally notoriety, I am a little disappointed it happended with this CD. Stacy's mom has got it goin' on ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. He calls Little Red Light "Oh no" and "Stacy's Mom" "Stacy's Mommy". A great album. Stacy's mom has got it goin' on Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace. Here is a review of the first press of Fountains of Wayne’s 2003 album “Welcome Interstate Managers”. "Halley's Waitress" is a masterpiece of postmodern ironic funk (actually, I don't know where to place it, genre-wise, but the Burt Bacharach comparison seems pale). 'Welcome Interstate Managers' was hailed a classic from the day it came out in 2003, and featured Fountains of Wayne’s biggest hit with “Stacy’s Mom. The first three songs alone are worth it.First up,"Mexican Wine" a zen like story on sorrow and life and why you should get up in the AM; second,"Bright Future in Sales",a funny and all too true look at work and drinking,and why one leads to the other;and in third,"Stacy's Mom" which speaks to every teen boys fantasy of his friend's mom. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, See all details for Welcome Interstate Managers, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. This is an album I always come back to on my MP3 player. Welcome Interstate Managers is the third full-length since the band formed as Fountains of Wayne (after a Wayne, NJ gift shop of the same name) in 1996. Fountains of Wayne, 'Welcome Interstate Managers' Fresh Air. Musically, this album is more diverse than "Utopia Parkway," and yes, it seems that they spent most of their recording budget on about half the songs, the rest being a little looser (but that doesn't mean worse!) In addition, it seems strange for almost middle aged men to be singing about high school and teen topics. In this album you can hear the influence of the Fab Four, The Who, Simon and Garfunkel and even Oasis. You shouldn't be. Welcome Interstate Managers is a watershed accomplishment, surpassing the band's debut in terms of whimsical pop songcraft, lyrical astuteness and blind melodic ambition. Great! This is one that will have the longevity of "Can't Buy a Thrill". All this publication's reviews Great! This is FOW's best album to date. About “Welcome Interstate Managers” Fountains of Wayne’s third studio album, released on June 10th, 2003, is an under-appreciated classic of alt-rock power-pop. Chin-pulling music critics, prepare to be confounded. To all you new FOW fans, this is by far not their best effort. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this album. June 25, 2003 • Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Welcome Interstate Managers the new CD by Fountains of Wayne. Every person I have suggested it to so far and has listened to it has loved it.