What I like most about ‘Sky Full of Holes
’, the latest release from Fountains of Wayne, is that there are no off-putting surprises here. The surprise, to some, may be that on their fifth album and after fifteen years that band is stronger than ever and playing exactly the kinds of tunes you have come to expect from them. Back are the infectious melodies and excellent lyrical storytelling set to a matching soundtrack.I guess I should say that the album is not exactly like their other records. ‘Sky Full of Holes
’ is written with the bands usual pop precision and the tracks have a fun familiarity, but there is a little more experimentation going on here than we’ve previously heard. “A Road Song
,” for example has a touch of a country swagger to it both in tone and its inclusion of the country staple slide guitar. They blend the pop sensibilities of a Fountains of Wayne song with the country influence perfectly and manage a sentimental pop song that is not sappy or lacking in melody. If you listen closely you’ll catch the band staying just slightly outside of their comfort zone and managing it wonderfully throughout the album. And why not, they’ve proven again and again the can record catchy power pop tunes and now the time has come for the band to branch out. I for one love where they are taking the Fountains of Wayne sound and I’m excited to hear more. 