Skip to main content

12 by Fountains Of Wayne


12 by... aims to summarize an artist's career in 12 songs. This one features...

The trick with a Fountains of Wayne complication is balancing their rocking songs and their ballads, while also representing their variety of styles. I believe this list covers those bases pretty well.


1. "Radiation Vibe" (Fountains Of Wayne, 1996) 
The first song on their first album is still one of their best. 

2. "She's Got A Problem" (Fountains Of Wayne, 1996) 
This was the first inkling of FOW as songwriters in the Billy Joel-character-sketch vein. 

3. "Red Dragon Tattoo" (Utopia Parkway, 1999) 
Maybe the most memorable of their many self-deluded, well-intentioned narrators. 

4. "Troubled Times" (Utopia Parkway, 1999) 
The poster child for all of those "why wasn't that a hit?" songs. 

5. "Stacey's Mom" (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003) 
And then the actual hit!

6. "Hackensack" (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003) 
The best song containing a reference to Christopher Walken ever written. 

7. "Bright Future in Sales" (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003) 
Comes just after "Red Dragon Tattoo" on the self-deluded narrator continuum.  

8. "I Know You Well" (Out-Of-State Plates, 2005) 
I picked this sweet ditty mostly for the bridge, which sticks in my craw. 

9. "Yolanda Hayes" (Traffic & Weather, 2007) 
In its own way, as scintillating a come on as Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. Plus, horns! 

10."Someone to Love" (Traffic & Weather, 2007)
The twist ending gets me every single time.

11. "Richie and Ruben" (Sky Full of Holes, 2011)
More fine character work, and a melody so good that it makes you want to consider making some bad investments.

12. "A Road Song" (Sky Full of Holes, 2011)
The mix of sweet and acerbic with a sprinkling of pop culture references on top encapsulate the Fountains of Wayne worldview. And bonus points for being a parody that's also and a fine example of what it's parodying.

*

The above was revised in 2021. Here is the original 2008 entry:

1. Radiation Vibe (Fountains Of Wayne, 1996)
Their opening song is still one of their best.

2. She's Got A Problem (Fountains Of Wayne, 1996)
This was the first inkling of FOW as songwriters in the Billy Joel-character-sketch vein.

3. I've Got A Flair (Fountains Of Wayne, 1996)
A rare narrator of unabashed confidence.

4. Red Dragon Tattoo (Utopia Parkway, 1999)
On the other hand, the first of many self-deluded, well-meaning narrators.

5. Troubled Times (Utopia Parkway, 1999)
The poster child for all of those "why wasn't that a hit?" songs.

6. Stacey's Mom (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003)
And then the actual hit.

7. Hackensack (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003)
The best song containing a reference to Christopher Walken ever written.

8. Hey Julie (Welcome Interstate Managers, 2003)
Ever had a crappy job and a happy home life? This sparkling song is about that.

9. Maureen (Out-Of-State Plates, 2005)
An ode to that self-involved female friend who knows you have a crush on her but will never give it up.

10. I Know You Well (Out-Of-State Plates, 2005)
I picked this sweet ditty mostly for the bridge, which sticks in my craw.

11. Yolanda Hayes (Traffic & Weather, 2007)
In its own way, as scintillating a come on as Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. Plus, horns!

12. Fire In The Canyon (Traffic & Weather, 2007)
Eagles eat your heart out.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

12 by Weezer

Here's the drill: 12 songs to summarize an artist's career, in chronological order (of course). This one features... I decided to take an unconventional route for this 12 by, and pretend Weezer have already released a "greatest hits." Here's what I think that would look like:  1) "Buddy Holly", 2) "Undone - the Sweater Song", 3) "My Name Is Jonas", 4) "The Good Life", 5) "El Scorcho", 6) "Hash Pipe", 7) "Island in the Sun", 8) "Dope Nose", 9) "Keep Fishin'", 10) "Beverly Hills", 11) "We Are All On Drugs", 12) "Pork and Beans".  Here's a different take: 1. " Say It Ain't So"  (from Weezer , 1994)  A little bit heavy, a little bit catchy, quiet-loud dynamics. So basically, it's Pixies lite. The song is interesting lyrically because it's basically nonsense until the "Dear daddy..." bridge, which lets out a t
2 comments
Read more

12 by Vicious Vicious

Here's the drill: 12 songs to summarize an artist's career, in chronological order (of course). This one features... If you need a reference point for the work of Vicious Vicious mastermind Erik Appelwick, the most appropriate would be Beck. Like Mr. Hansen, Minnesota-based Appelwick has the ability to navigate between making you laugh and making you cry and making you want to dance, and embraces genres from country to R& B to folk to pop.  I've included songs from the two albums Appelwick did under the name Tropical Depression, because honestly there's not a lot of difference between that and Vicious Vicious.  I very literally  wrote the book  on Appelwick, so please feel confident you are hearing from an authority here.  If you have Amazon Music Unlimited, you can listen to an alternate version of list here  (sadly, not all of VV's music is on the service). 1. "Shake That Ass on the Dance Floor" (from Blood + Clover , 2003) A loungy, laconic come-on
Post a Comment
Read more

12 by Jenny Lewis

Here's the drill: 12 songs to summarize an artist's career, in chronological order (of course). This one features... Completely separate from Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis has put together an impressive oeuvre that is very difficult to winnow down to just 12 songs (if you include her work with Rilo Kiley, fuhgeddaboudit). But I've made what I feel is a valiant attempt. Because I admire Jenny's lyrics so much, I'm going to limit my commentary to a favorite couplet from the song. (If you have Amazon Music Unlimited, you can listen along here .) 1. "Rise Up With Fists!!!" (from Rabbit Fur Coat , 2005) "But you can wake up younger, under the knife / And you can wake up sounder, if you get analyzed." 2. "Melt Your Heart" (from  Rabbit Fur Coat , 2005) "It's like a valentine from your mother / It's bound to melt your heart." 3. "Born Secular" (from Rabbit Fur Coat , 2005) "God works in mysterious ways / And God give
Post a Comment
Read more