Fountains Weather The Storm

Although the reviews for Fountains of Wayne's Traffic and Weather haven't been as glowing as on their previous ones, it's still a better record than many American bands will release this year. Their specialty remains the mundane stuff: DMV, anchormen, Stewardess. They haven't strayed from their formula. All of this is wrapped in the best power pop of our generation. No other American band is doing this type of music. There's no "Stacey's Mom" here, but then that was a fluke. Propelled by a hormone-inducing video, it will be their only Top 40 hit. For a band that's been around for nearly 10 years, they remain pretty anonymous. Sure, Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood have written for movies and other artists, but have you ever seen them grace a magazine cover. So, each album is widely anticipated by someone who's been smitten since their debut. Buy it and keep them in business.