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
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  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Aug 19, 2011
    91
    Lulled into a formalistic revery by their catchy choruses, you assume their content is as null as their groove. But in fact they're so girl-shy it's thematic, and refreshingly empathetic about women with problems.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Jul 28, 2011
    91
    The beloved power-pop veterans dial down the big guitars and slick synths of yore on Sky Full of Holes, a relatively rootsy effort.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Aug 2, 2011
    83
    Fountains Of Wayne dutifully settles into adulthood on Sky Full Of Holes.
  5. Alternative Press
    Aug 18, 2011
    80
    Musically, Sky Full Of Holes is simply gorgeous. [Sep 2011, p.112]
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  6. PopMatters
    Aug 9, 2011
    80
    Sky Full of Holes finds Fountains of Wayne back at the top of their game.
  7. The New York Times
    Aug 1, 2011
    80
    Fountains of Wayne's music has its heart in the 1970's of the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Stealers Wheel and Nick Lowe, full of strummed acoustic and electric guitars, repeated octaves on the piano and wordless vocal-harmony choruses.
  8. The Guardian
    Jul 29, 2011
    80
    Gone are the massive arena rock choruses that were the sugar on their tart character sketches; this time the New York powerpop band have eschewed the power in favour of a more sedate sound, the dominant texture being acoustic guitar overlaid with muted electrics.
  9. The Boston Phoenix
    Aug 3, 2011
    75
    Even when Fountains of Wayne are phoning it in, they're never less than professional. Think of this as a thoughtfully-written greeting card of an album.
  10. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 2, 2011
    75
    It's a remarkably consistent album, full of snappy arrangements, surprising chord changes and tasteful instrumentation, but Collingwood's voice embodies its true appeal.
  11. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 11, 2011
    70
    Sky Full of Holes is the perfect sound of a band staying within their comfort zone while not forgetting the power of the almighty hook.
  12. No Ripcord
    Aug 1, 2011
    70
    Sky Full of Holes, the band's fifth release, doesn't stray from their foundation of fitting rhymed schemes amidst archetypical power pop chords.
  13. Rolling Stone
    Jul 26, 2011
    70
    The songs are filled with jokes - but the punch lines often turn into epiphanies.
  14. Spin
    Jul 19, 2011
    70
    Sky eschews the occasional decade-hopscotching of 2007's Traffic and Weather, reaching a new, raw sincerity and cohesiveness.

User Reviews

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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 »
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