Fountains of Wayne (album)
Encyclopedia
Fountains of Wayne is the self-titled debut album
of power pop
group Fountains of Wayne
, released in 1996 through TAG Recordings
, Scratchie Records
, and Atlantic Records
. The album is a collection of short, catchy, hook-centered pop songs, recorded when the band was just a duo.
Critics lauded the tight immediacy of the songs, a probable consequence of the five days it took to record, and the funny, friendly relationship of songwriters Chris Collingwood
and Adam Schlesinger
was the most prominent feature of the album. The songs were written over a period of years as outlets to make each other laugh through inside jokes and references to suburban life in New York
and New Jersey
.
The twelve songs on this album are all concert-ready by design, with the hook-centered "Radiation Vibe
" as the opening track. It received moderate college-radio airplay in late 1996, including video plays on MTV's
120 Minutes
program. "Leave the Biker" details the heartbreak of a boy who's in love with a biker's girlfriend. "Sink to the Bottom
", "Joe Rey", "Survival Car
", "Barbara H.", and "Please Don't Rock Me Tonight" all elicit enthusiastic concert responses, although mainstream success eluded Fountains of Wayne for a few more years.
The cover photo of the little boy was also used for the album Plastic Jewels by The Flamingos. The Flamingos' album came out two weeks before Fountains of Wayne.
The album was recorded before the recruitment of drummer Brian Young and guitarist Jody Porter
to the band, and Collingwood and Schlesinger provided all the instrumentation during the recording, except for the bass guitar parts, which were performed by ex-The Belltower
bassist Danny Weinkauf
. Schlesinger and Porter had also been members of The Belltower, and Weinkauf later played with Lincoln
before joining They Might Be Giants
.
Dominique Durand of the band Ivy
, of which Schlesinger is also a member, provided backing vocals on "Survival Car".
, Adam Schlesinger
.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
of power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
group Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
, released in 1996 through TAG Recordings
TAG Recordings
TAG Recordings was an imprint of Atlantic Records started in 1996. TAG had been intended to host Atlantic's stable of alternative rock artists and capitalize on the wild popularity of alternative and grunge rock at that time. The label handled artists such as Fountains of Wayne, The Inbreds, and...
, Scratchie Records
Scratchie Records
Scratchie Records was an independent record label founded in 1995 by James Iha and D'arcy Wretzky , Adam Schlesinger , Kerry Brown and Jeremy Freeman....
, and Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. The album is a collection of short, catchy, hook-centered pop songs, recorded when the band was just a duo.
Critics lauded the tight immediacy of the songs, a probable consequence of the five days it took to record, and the funny, friendly relationship of songwriters Chris Collingwood
Chris Collingwood
Chris Collingwood, born in 1967 in USA, is a singer, songwriter, and founding member of the power pop band Fountains of Wayne. Collingwood's major influences are The Beatles, The Zombies, The Hollies, Aztec Camera, Squeeze, and Blue Öyster Cult....
and Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger is an American songwriter, composer and record producer. He has been nominated for Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy , and Golden Globe Awards. He is also a winner of the ASCAP Pop Music Award....
was the most prominent feature of the album. The songs were written over a period of years as outlets to make each other laugh through inside jokes and references to suburban life in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
The twelve songs on this album are all concert-ready by design, with the hook-centered "Radiation Vibe
Radiation Vibe
"Radiation Vibe" was the first single by Fountains of Wayne, from their debut album also titled Fountains of Wayne. It was released in 1996 and charted in the UK at #32 on March 22, 1997...
" as the opening track. It received moderate college-radio airplay in late 1996, including video plays on MTV's
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
120 Minutes
120 Minutes
120 Minutes is a television show in the United States dedicated to alternative music, originally airing on MTV from 1986 to 2000, and then on MTV's sister channel MTV2 from 2001 to 2003....
program. "Leave the Biker" details the heartbreak of a boy who's in love with a biker's girlfriend. "Sink to the Bottom
Sink to the Bottom
"Sink to the Bottom" was the second single by Fountains of Wayne, from their debut album also titled Fountains of Wayne. It was released in 1997 and charted in the UK at #42 on May 10, 1997...
", "Joe Rey", "Survival Car
Survival Car
"Survival Car" was the third single by Fountains of Wayne, from their debut album also titled Fountains of Wayne. It was released in 1997 and charted in the UK at #53 on July 26, 1997....
", "Barbara H.", and "Please Don't Rock Me Tonight" all elicit enthusiastic concert responses, although mainstream success eluded Fountains of Wayne for a few more years.
The cover photo of the little boy was also used for the album Plastic Jewels by The Flamingos. The Flamingos' album came out two weeks before Fountains of Wayne.
The album was recorded before the recruitment of drummer Brian Young and guitarist Jody Porter
Jody Porter
Jody Porter is an American musician. He is the guitarist of Grammy Award-nominated power pop band Fountains of Wayne. The band has released four major label albums, including Welcome Interstate Managers on Virgin Records in 2003, an RIAA-certified Gold LP. The album spawned the hugely popular U.S...
to the band, and Collingwood and Schlesinger provided all the instrumentation during the recording, except for the bass guitar parts, which were performed by ex-The Belltower
The Belltower
The Belltower was an American alternative rock band from New York City often associated with the shoegazing scene, with members who later joined Luna and Fountains of Wayne.-History:...
bassist Danny Weinkauf
Danny Weinkauf
Danny Weinkauf is a New York based musician and composer who is a member of They Might Be Giants , a band which won a best children's album Grammy award for the album Here Come the 123s. He has been TMBG's bassist since the late 90s. He previously performed in a band called Lincoln along with Dan...
. Schlesinger and Porter had also been members of The Belltower, and Weinkauf later played with Lincoln
Lincoln (band)
Lincoln was an American alternative rock band consisting of four members: Chris Temple , Gonzalo Martinez De La Cotera , Danny Weinkauf , and Dan Miller . They were based in New York City...
before joining They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
.
Dominique Durand of the band Ivy
Ivy (band)
Ivy is a New York City band composed of a trio of musicians, Adam Schlesinger, Dominique Durand, and Andy Chase.-Lately and Realistic:...
, of which Schlesinger is also a member, provided backing vocals on "Survival Car".
Track listing
All songs written by Chris CollingwoodChris Collingwood
Chris Collingwood, born in 1967 in USA, is a singer, songwriter, and founding member of the power pop band Fountains of Wayne. Collingwood's major influences are The Beatles, The Zombies, The Hollies, Aztec Camera, Squeeze, and Blue Öyster Cult....
, Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger is an American songwriter, composer and record producer. He has been nominated for Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy , and Golden Globe Awards. He is also a winner of the ASCAP Pop Music Award....
.
- "Radiation VibeRadiation Vibe"Radiation Vibe" was the first single by Fountains of Wayne, from their debut album also titled Fountains of Wayne. It was released in 1996 and charted in the UK at #32 on March 22, 1997...
" – 3:40 - "Sink to the BottomSink to the Bottom"Sink to the Bottom" was the second single by Fountains of Wayne, from their debut album also titled Fountains of Wayne. It was released in 1997 and charted in the UK at #42 on May 10, 1997...
" – 3:12 - "Joe Rey" – 2:40
- "She's Got a Problem" – 3:26
- "Survival CarSurvival Car"Survival Car" was the third single by Fountains of Wayne, from their debut album also titled Fountains of Wayne. It was released in 1997 and charted in the UK at #53 on July 26, 1997....
" – 2:02 - "Barbara H." – 3:22
- "Sick Day" – 4:33
- "I've Got a Flair" – 2:52
- "Leave the Biker" – 2:42
- "You Curse at Girls" – 2:05
- "Please Don't Rock Me Tonight" – 2:50
- "Everything's Ruined" – 2:44
Credits
- Chris CollingwoodChris CollingwoodChris Collingwood, born in 1967 in USA, is a singer, songwriter, and founding member of the power pop band Fountains of Wayne. Collingwood's major influences are The Beatles, The Zombies, The Hollies, Aztec Camera, Squeeze, and Blue Öyster Cult....
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Adam SchlesingerAdam SchlesingerAdam Schlesinger is an American songwriter, composer and record producer. He has been nominated for Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy , and Golden Globe Awards. He is also a winner of the ASCAP Pop Music Award....
– vocals, guitar, keyboards, drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Danny WeinkaufDanny WeinkaufDanny Weinkauf is a New York based musician and composer who is a member of They Might Be Giants , a band which won a best children's album Grammy award for the album Here Come the 123s. He has been TMBG's bassist since the late 90s. He previously performed in a band called Lincoln along with Dan...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Dominique Durand – backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
on "Survival Car"
- Engineered by Gary Maurer & Eric Tew
- Mastered by Greg Calbi
- Produced by Adam Schlesinger
- Recorded in January and April 1996 at The Place, New York City
- Mixed by Chris Shaw at Greene Street Recording, New York City, June 1996 (except "Sink to the Bottom")
- "Sink to the Bottom" mixed by Adam Schlesinger and Gary Maurer
- Mastered at MasterdiskMasterdiskMasterdisk is an audio mastering and multimedia company in New York City, located on West 45th Street in Manhattan. They provide production services such as audio mastering, vinyl cutting and enhanced CD and DVD production....
, New York City