Sky Full of Holes
by Fountains of Wayne
  • Record Label: Yep Roc
  • Release Date: Aug 2, 2011
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. NOW Magazine
    Aug 19, 2011
    60
    No doubt they know to bury weaker material; the last few songs are less memorable.
  2. Uncut
    Aug 18, 2011
    60
    FoW's impeccably assembled works rarely stir little more than fond memories of their obvious influences. This is largely true of Sky Full Of Holes, though there are moments of irresistible sticky sweetness. [Sep 2011, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. American Songwriter
    Aug 9, 2011
    60
    Collingwood's nasal vocals–part charming limitation, part annoying affectation–can wear thin, even when sweetened by pristine guitar arrangements and perfect backing harmonies.
  5. The Quietus
    Aug 8, 2011
    60
    'Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart' goes some way to harking back to their former glories but moments like these are in all too short supply.
  6. BBC Music
    Aug 3, 2011
    60
    Yet, something's missing. An emotional engagement, perhaps, because they sometimes seem positively embarrassed to play from the heart.
  7. AllMusic
    Aug 3, 2011
    60
    Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger's specialty as songwriters has always been turning a trope inside out, finding ways to freshen or invert convention, and while they haven't lost that knack, the directness of Sky Full of Holes turns their tunes into something approaching standard-issue.
  8. Boston Globe
    Aug 2, 2011
    60
    Right on cue comes Sky Full of Holes, which continues the identity crisis that began on the flailing "Traffic and Weather.''
  9. Slant Magazine
    Aug 1, 2011
    60
    The juvenile wordplays, ironic pop-culture references, and narratives about sad-sack folks undone by mundane, everyday minutia that are among the band's trademarks remain fully intact: The content of the songs on Sky Full of Holes is, by and large, as wry and idiosyncratic as their songs have ever been.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 16, 2011
    50
    FOW just seem go through the motions. No sweat. No tongue in cheek either.
  11. Under The Radar
    Aug 2, 2011
    50
    On Sky Full of Holes, Fountains of Wayne is what we thought they were: some of the best songwriters this side of Big Star, who occasionally indulge their less populist impulses.
  12. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 2, 2011
    50
    Perhaps Sky Full of Holes will be that album to some impressionable youth whose idea of power pop revolves around Justin Bieber ballads, but for longtime fans it just sounds tired and dusty. Fountains of Wayne are still doing what they've always done, but I think I've finally grown up.
  13. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Aug 2, 2011
    50
    Unless you have a natural predisposition towards the enjoyment of self-consciously nerdy vocals and jangling harmonic songs taking a 'sideways looks' at life, Sky Full Of Holes will leave you completely unmoved.
  14. Consequence
    Jul 29, 2011
    50
    They know what they do well and they accentuate that time and time again. While the stories can get drawn out at times, there is still enough here to sustain a solid listen.
  15. Q Magazine
    Sep 21, 2011
    40
    Quality control lets down power-poppers' fifth effort. [Oct 2011, p.117]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 15, 2011
    40
    Unlike the trio's livelier breakthrough, 1997's Apartment Life, the rest of All Hours is functionally pleasant but largely unmemorable background music for restaurants with exposed ceiling beams.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Suburbanninja95
    Aug 12, 2011
    9
    Fountains of Wayne never fails to disappoint. Although this is not their best album (Welcome Interstate Managers still reigns supreme), theyFountains of Wayne never fails to disappoint. Although this is not their best album (Welcome Interstate Managers still reigns supreme), they continue to rule their genre. The tempo is slowed down for this one, and there is an obvious melancholy note to many songs, but this is a very good album that is worth listening to. Right now. Do it.… Full Review »
  2. Darian
    Jun 9, 2012
    7
    I believe FoW have lost it, or are in the process of losing it. I put it down to age. I own every album of theirs to date and I can say thisI believe FoW have lost it, or are in the process of losing it. I put it down to age. I own every album of theirs to date and I can say this is the one I was least excited about. Even their collection of B-sides was better than this. The overall quality has gone down, from the melodies to the lyrics to Chris Collingwood's voice (which has deteriorated into an almost annoying nasal whine.) Only one of the songs was immediately catchy ("The Summer Place")--which is a rare thing for a FoW album. That said, the album does get better at a very quick rate on repeated listens. And even though I feel it's their worst album, I still think it's decent on the whole and better than a lot of the other stuff out there.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »