| Out-of-State Plates is nothing less than an overflowing treasure chest. |
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Fountains of Wayne
Out-of-State Plates
Virgin (2005)
The ultimate public service, it's both the veteran and the apprentice fans who benefit from the appearance of this specially-priced, two-disc, 30-track collection of b-sides and unreleased songs. For longtime devotees, it's an easy way to collect the Fountains' non-album tracks without having to track down a whole lot of CD singles and the like. For newbies, it's a great, inexpensive way to meet and get to love the world's greatest pop band working today.
These perfect, wonderful creations, 28 songs and two introductions from radio shows, are every bit as good as anything included on Fountains of Wayne's albums. The set kicks off with one of two new songs, an infectious, high-energy power pop tune, "Maureen." It's the first single from Plates, but, as good as it is, it pales next to the new song on disc two, the slightly-more-leisurely "The Girl I Can't Forget," written and performed more in the classic Fountains style; in other words, it's a state-of-the art, pure pop number with a particularly-infectious melody, ace harmonies, and another effective vocal from Chris Collingwood.
"California Sex Lawyer," a catchy rocker which originally appeared on volume 3 of the International Pop Overthrow festival series, could have been on Fountains of Wayne's Utopia Parkway album. Sporting typically clever lyrics and a melody to die for, it's quite the keeper. "Karpet King" is another of the type of character study this band is rather good at unspooling; atop a lazy rocking beat, Collingwood sings "Lay it down," something the King should be pretty good at, as long as it doesn't involve his own life. "Baby I've Changed," a short, snappy tune that graced the "Hey Julie" CD single internationally, is another song that could have, and should have, been an album track.
Ditto "Nightlight" from the "Red Dragon Tattoo" international CD single, a melodic, mid-tempo ballad that chronicles the journey of a person, led only by a nightlight to light his way. It's gorgeous. The cover of Bacharach and David's "Trains and Boats and Planes" sounds like it could have come from the pens of Schlessinger and Collingwood; the melody is tailor-made for their clever approach, a light and breezy campfire song.
The Fountains' quickly-recorded cover of Max Martin's "...Baby One More Time," brought to the public's attention by Mom-to-be and reality TV star Britney Spears, is quite good and proves the song's worth. "Britney who?" Collingwood asks in the liners. You know who. The pretty "Kid Gloves" contains the great line, "Now that her soft touch is gone/She's got her kid gloves on." An affecting cover of Jackson Browne's great "These Days," recorded at Schlessinger's home studio, really shines.
The story of a magician who abuses his assistant with all manner of trickery, the unreleased "Half a Woman" was waxed during the recording of Utopia Parkway; you'll wish this was more fully developed. "Small Favors," a sprightly, upbeat pop song from 1994, is one of those seemingly-effortless tunes that Collingwood and Schlessinger are famous for. The final song on disc two, the beautiful, affecting, hymn-like "Imperia," is as good as Fountains of Wayne get.
Usually, a band releases a greatest hits or live album as a buffer between proper studio records, but the Fountains have taken this rather more appreciated approach. Out-of-State Plates is nothing less than an overflowing treasure chest that will surely keep fans satisfied until the next long-player comes along.
Alan Haber
July 1, 2005
Go to: Fountains of Wayne's web site