You know how some records always remind you a very happy period in your life? Maybe you were driving down country roads with someone special, singing the silly lyrics together and marveling at the beauty of a rural river in the springtime? Then suddenly it all goes wrong and then you can't listen to that particular CD any more because every time you do you can't help but thinking of that really happy time, which makes you sad since it's all gone now? Sure you do.
The first Fountains of Wayne CD is like that for me. I know, it's kind of a goofy CD, but wow is it good for lazy day sing-alongs. Since packing that disc away in the "don't go there or else" section of the CD rack, I've been waiting for something to take its place. I think I may have found that something in Rodeo City.
I'm not saying that The Foxymorons sound like Fountains of Wayne, although there are some similarities: two clever guys, silly/touching lyrics, really catchy, straight-ahead but somehow slightly bent guitar pop songs. The Foxymorons are a little mopier than the FoW boys, and less prone to fast three chord shout outs. The recordings have a bit of a living room project feel to them, but that just adds to their charm. I particularly like the beginning of "August Moon"; rather than editing out the flubbed first chord, they just pause for a moment, then start again. "Something Out There" starts out with a strange little grunt, giving you a sense that you have some sort of direct connection to these guys -- one that's not buffered by seven layers of producers, reverbs and record companies.
"Jakarta" is one of my favorite tracks. It's some kind of indiepop "Octopus' Garden", complete with trippy synth noodling and a fantastic chorus. "Irene" is another standout, with its classic "you're a whole lot of trouble but I can't keep away" lyrics and tweaky, earnest vocal performances. "When I Lie" is an organ-driven rave up with super lyrics and a great vocal performance.
This is a warm, pretty, disc. Even though it's a bit dark in parts, it seems to lift my spirits every time I listen to it. And for some reason that I can't quite figure out, it keeps occurring to me that this is the sort of record you'd want to share with your "special friend." Hopefully this time it'll all work out in the end. (Yeah, I'm a sappy little man. Must be that mango I had for breakfast.)
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