Welcome Interstate Managers - Fountains of Wayne
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Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 102 Ratings

  • Summary: The New York-based indie-pop band, led by Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, returns with a long-awaited third LP.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. 100
    A nearly flawless collection of hummable overtures. [#17, p.138]
  2. 100
    The lyrics explore suburban everyguyism, but the choruses explode like fireworks over a church picnic. [Jul 2003, p.109]
  3. 80
    Celebrates the little people with full powerpop majesty. [Jul 2003, p.108]
  4. 40
    They're diminished by trying to touch too many bases, often lapsing into sub-Oasis stodge. [Oct 2003, p.114]

See all 24 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 82
  2. Negative: 6 out of 82
  1. Great! This is one of the best albums of the last decade. If you don't own it buy it now. Every song is well written and performed. It says a lot for an album when you know the next song is really good, but you can't hit the skip button because the one playing is just as good. Expand
  2. PaulW
    8
    As a person bought up on a diet of Brit Pop/Rock (Genesis, Peter Gabriel/Human League), American Pop/Rock (Bruce Hornsby/Huey Lewis/Springsteen/Brian Wilson) the "Fountains of Wayne" in "Welcome Interstate Managers" cover all these bases at once!!! Totally infectious lyrics, incredible harmonies and skilled musicianship make for a wonderful album. As a keyboard player in a Gold Coast (Australia) 7 piece band we already covering "Stacy's Mom" (with or without the towel on). I played "Stacey's Mom" to the band members and they said "lets do it". In summary, great album. Hopefully it wont be three more years for another. Paul Whelan Keyboard Player "Three Quarter Jack" Gold Coast Australia Expand
  3. ErikH
    7
    Tim, it's difficult to believe you really know "more about music" than anyone will ever know when you don't even know the name of the Shins' album ("Chutes Too Narrow"). Also your entire comment came across as an arrogant asshole who lacks the intelligence of a sixth grader. As for this album, while it has quite a few catchy numbers, it is overall not the kind of album you'll listen to again and again and find yourself returning too. It's an enjoyable but forgettable quickie, similar to Franz Ferdinand. Collapse
  4. jmc
    1
    don't be fooled by the bandwagoning reviewers that make up this metascore. this album is a muddled mess.... bland bland bland. i bought it based on the metascore and the reviews and I will NEVER do that again! have you heard the debut single "stacy's mom?" go read the lyrics. that will keep you away from this record alone. HOW FRIGGIN CORNY!!! this album could do well on hot AC with middleground corporate (albeit highly self-aware) frat dude-rock. the best reviewed album of the year? give me a break! maybe for middle aged white men who long for the days of hot MILFs and suburban rebellion. blech. Expand

See all 82 User Reviews