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Podcast Episode
Season
Fourteen
number
693
Type
Album Review
Post Date
1/9/2024

Fountains of Wayne

693 Utopia Parkway by Fountains of Wayne

Utopia Parkway

Label
Atlantic
Release year
1999
Producer
Adam Schlesinger, Chris Collingwood
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With the addition of guitarist Joey Porter, Fountains of Wayne added the power to their pop on their 1999 sophomore album Utopia Parkway

Author & Special Guests

Nailing down what exactly is "power pop" can be frustrating (we did a whole roundtable on it!), but the "power" end of it is usually found in the guitar section. From the big riffs of Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen to Robert Quine's excited guitar leads on Matthew Sweet albums, just because it's "pop" doesn't mean it doesn't rock. For their second album, Fountains of Wayne duo Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood recruited former Belltower guitarist Joey Porter and former Poises drummer Brian Young to complete the foursome. Two veteran players mean a tightened rhythm section and a bigger guitar sound that allows the band to expand their sound, touching not only on power pop from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but elements of Britpop, psychedelia, and Queen grandiosity.

Does This album bring back some great vibes?

Remember when you first discovered this album? We’re grateful to dig into these hidden gems and bring them the attention they deserve. Your support helps us uncover more albums deserve another moment in the spotlight.

Songs in this episode

  • Intro - Red Dragon Tattoo
  • 13:00 - Utopia Parkway
  • 17:48 - Lost In Space
  • 25:45 - Denise
  • Outro - A Fine Day For A Parade

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Utopia Parkway