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| venue =
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Power pop]]<ref>{{cite web|first= Will |last= Layman |title= Fountains of Wayne: Too Smart to Be a Rock Band, Too Smart to Be Anything Else |website= PopMatters |date= 15 April 2007 |url= http://www.popmatters.com/feature/fountains-of-wayne-too-smart-to-be-a-rock-band-too-smart-to-be-anything-els/ |access-date= 28 March 2023}}</ref>
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]]
| length = 47:27
| length = 47:27
| label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
| label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
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| next_title = [[Sky Full of Holes]]
| next_title = [[Sky Full of Holes]]
| next_year = 2011
| next_year = 2011
}}
⚫
{{Album ratings
⚫
|MC = 68/100<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/traffic-and-weather |title=Traffic And Weather by Fountains of Wayne |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
⚫
|rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/traffic-and-weather-mw0000478043 |title=Traffic and Weather Review |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
|rev2 = [[Alternative Addiction]]
⚫
|rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://alternativeaddiction.com/Review/352 |title=Album Review of Traffic and Weather by Fountains of Wayne |website=[[Alternative Addiction]] |language=en |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
⚫
|rev3 = ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''
⚫
|rev3score = {{rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2007-04-13/465107/ |title=Review: Fountains of Wayne |last=Beets |first=Greg |date=2007-04-13 |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |access-date=2018-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
|rev4 = ''[[American Songwriter]]''
⚫
|rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://americansongwriter.com/2007/05/fountains-of-wayne-traffic-and-weather/ |title=FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE > Traffic and Weather |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=2007-05-01 |website=[[American Songwriter]] |language=en-US |access-date=2018-05-25}}</ref>
⚫
|rev5 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
⚫
|rev5score = B+<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20016437,00.html |title=Traffic and Weather |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=2007-03-30 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
|rev6 = ''[[MSN Music]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Consumer Guide]])
⚫
|rev6score = A<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2007-09.php |title=Consumer Guide: September 2007 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |authorlink=Robert Christgau |date=2007-09-01 |website=[[MSN Music]] |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
|rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]''
⚫
|rev7score = 3.0/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10047-traffic-and-weather/ |title=Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather Album Review |last=LeMay |first=Matt |date=2007-03-28 |website=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |language=en |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
|rev8 = ''[[PopMatters]]''
⚫
|rev8score = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/fountains-of-wayne-traffic-and-weather-2496146990.html |title=Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather |last=Vrabel |first=Jeff |date=2007-04-01 |website=[[PopMatters]] |language=en |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
|rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
⚫
|rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/13967089/review/14010851/traffic_and_weather |title=Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather |accessdate=2007-04-25 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407151432/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/13967089/review/14010851/traffic_and_weather |archivedate=April 7, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
⚫
|rev10 = ''[[Stylus Magazine]]''
⚫
|rev10score = D–<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/fountains-of-wayne/traffic-and-weather.htm |title=Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather |last=Cohen |first=Ian |date=2007-04-02 |website=[[Stylus Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223083829/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/fountains-of-wayne/traffic-and-weather.htm |archive-date=2008-02-23}}</ref>
}}<!-- Automatically generated by DASHBot-->
}}<!-- Automatically generated by DASHBot-->


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==Background==
==Background==
While previous Fountains of Wayne albums saw lead singer [[Chris Collingwood]] and bassist [[Adam Schlesinger]] write songs separately then arrange them with the rest of the band, initial work on their fourth album saw them trying a new approach in which they wanted to get guitarist [[Jody Porter]] and drummer [[Brian_Young_(drummer)|Brian Young]] more involved by jamming together at [[Bearsville Studios]] in Woodstock, New York. While it yielded many ideas, it didn't result in any finished songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60003/fountains-of-wayne-get-busy-on-new-album|title=Fountains Of Wayne Get Busy On New Album|publisher=Billboard|date=2006-01-18|accessdate=2019-01-04}}</ref> In the end, "Strapped for Cash" was the only song developed from the Bearsville sessions, as the band reverted to their usual methods.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1179058/allmusiccom-folding-into-allrovicom-for-one-stop-entertainment-shop |title=AllMusic.com Folding Into AllRovi.com for One-Stop Entertainment Shop |last=Bruno |first=Anthony |date=February 28, 2011 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref> However, Collingwood was suffering from depression and alcoholism during the making of the album. As a result, he only penned three songs for it - "Fire in the Canyon", "Hotel Majestic" and "Seatbacks and Traytables" - while Schlesinger wrote the rest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/fountains_of_wayne_frontman_on_new_cd_i_didnt_bring_a_lot_to_the_table.html|title=Fountains Of Wayne Frontman: 'On New CD I Didn't Bring A Lot To The Table!'|first=Amy|last=Kelly|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|date=2007-04-26|accessdate=2019-01-04}}</ref> (In a [[Lennon/McCartney]]-like arrangement, the writing of each individual song is still credited to both Collingwood and Schlesinger, even though both in fact write separately.)
While previous Fountains of Wayne albums saw lead singer [[Chris Collingwood]] and bassist [[Adam Schlesinger]] write songs separately then arrange them with the rest of the band, initial work on their fourth album saw them trying a new approach in which they wanted to get guitarist [[Jody Porter]] and drummer [[Brian Young (drummer)|Brian Young]] more involved by jamming together at [[Bearsville Studios]] in [[Woodstock, New York]]. While it yielded many ideas, it didn't result in any finished songs.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60003/fountains-of-wayne-get-busy-on-new-album |title=Fountains Of Wayne Get Busy On New Album |publisher=Billboard|date=2006-01-18 |accessdate=2019-01-04}}</ref> In the end, "Strapped for Cash" was the only song developed from the Bearsville sessions, as the band reverted to their usual methods.<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1179058/allmusiccom-folding-into-allrovicom-for-one-stop-entertainment-shop |title=AllMusic.com Folding Into AllRovi.com for One-Stop Entertainment Shop |last=Bruno |first=Anthony |date=February 28, 2011 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref> However, Collingwood was suffering from depression and alcoholism during the making of the album. As a result, he only penned three songs for it — "Fire in the Canyon", "Hotel Majestic" and "Seatbacks and Traytables" — while Schlesinger wrote the rest.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/fountains_of_wayne_frontman_on_new_cd_i_didnt_bring_a_lot_to_the_table.html |title=Fountains Of Wayne Frontman: 'On New CD I Didn't Bring A Lot To The Table!' |first=Amy|last=Kelly |publisher=Ultimate Guitar |date=2007-04-26 |accessdate=2019-01-04}}</ref> (In a [[Lennon/McCartney]]-like arrangement, the writing of each individual song is still credited to both Collingwood and Schlesinger, even though both in fact write separately. However, for this album, the publishing credits tell the story — all songs are published by Schlesinger's company Vaguely Familiar Music, except for Collingwood's contributions, which are published by Collingwood's company Monkey Demon Music.)


==Recording==
==Recording==
Describing their process for the album, Schlesinger said, "We'll bring a song in, then Brian will come up with a feel for it, cut a basic track, then we'll spend a lot of time with Jody experimenting with different guitar parts. On this album more than any, you can really hear Jody's playing and the incredibly wide range that he's capable of."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/fountains-wayne-365815|title=Fountains of Wayne|first=Heather|last=Johnson|publisher=Mix|date=2007-04-01|accessdate=2019-01-04}}</ref>
Describing their process for the album, Schlesinger said, "We'll bring a song in, then Brian will come up with a feel for it, cut a basic track, then we'll spend a lot of time with Jody experimenting with different guitar parts. On this album more than any, you can really hear Jody's playing and the incredibly wide range that he's capable of."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mixonline.com/recording/fountains-wayne-365815 |title=Fountains of Wayne |first=Heather|last=Johnson |publisher=Mix |date=2007-04-01 |accessdate=2019-01-04}}</ref>


⚫
The song "Someone to Love" includes backing vocals from former [[Smashing Pumpkins]] and [[Hole (band)|Hole]] bassist [[Melissa Auf der Maur]],<ref>{{cite news |date=2007-01-19 |title=Fountains Of Wayne ready new album |publisher=NME Online |url= https://www.nme.com/news/fountains-of-wayne/25938}}</ref> "Fire in the Canyon" contains backing vocals from the [[Candy Butchers]]' [[Mike Viola]], "Seatbacks and Traytables" features former [[Smashing Pumpkins]] guitarist [[James Iha]], and "Strapped for Cash" features trumpeters Ronnie Buttacavoli and Scott Wendholt; the former trumpeter also plays on "Yolanda Hayes".
==Release==
⚫
The album was met with moderate commercial success and favorable reviews. It reached #97 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart,<ref>{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1024534|pure_url=yes}} |title=Traffic and Weather: Charts & Awards |publisher=allmusic }}</ref> and the song "I-95" was named #54 in ''[[Rolling Stone|Rolling Stone's]]''{{'}}s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/15 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2007 |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2007-12-11 }}</ref> ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' described the album as having "more witty tales of confused young people caught between destinations".<ref name="blender">{{Cite news |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2391 |title=25 Reasons to Love '07 |date=January–February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212070708/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2391 |archive-date=2008-02-12 |publisher=Blender}}</ref>


==Details==
== Reception ==
⚫
{{Album ratings
According to an interview with New York [[all-news radio]] station [[WCBS (AM)|WCBS]], the band claimed the title of the album, which was mixed by [[Michael Brauer]] and John Holbrook, was inspired by the station's slogan promising "traffic and weather together on the eights".
⚫
| MC = 68/100<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.metacritic.com/music/traffic-and-weather |title=Traffic And Weather by Fountains of Wayne |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>

⚫
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
⚫
The song "Someone to Love" includes backing vocals from former [[Smashing Pumpkins]] and [[Hole (band)|Hole]] bassist [[Melissa Auf der Maur]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Fountains Of Wayne ready new album |publisher=NME Online |url=https://www.nme.com/news/fountains-of-wayne/25938 |date=2007-01-19 }}</ref> "Fire in the Canyon" contains backing vocals from the [[Candy Butchers]]' [[Mike Viola]], "Seatbacks and Traytables" features former [[Smashing Pumpkins]] guitarist [[James Iha]], and "Strapped for Cash" features trumpeters Ronnie Buttacavoli and Scott Wendholt; the former trumpeter also plays on "Yolanda Hayes".
⚫
| rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/traffic-and-weather-mw0000478043 |title=Traffic and Weather Review |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>

⚫
| rev2 = [[Alternative Addiction]]
The song "Traffic & Weather" was used on [[KYW-TV]]/[[WPSG]] in Philadelphia during its morning traffic and weather segments. Likewise, several of WCBS's sister all-news stations used the song in promotions [[tongue-in-cheek]] to promote their own 'traffic and weather together' efforts.
⚫
| rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://alternativeaddiction.com/Review/352 |title=Album Review of Traffic and Weather by Fountains of Wayne |website=[[Alternative Addiction]] |language=en |access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref>
⚫
| rev3 = ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''
⚫
| rev3score = {{rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2007-04-13/465107/ |title=Review: Fountains of Wayne |last=Beets |first=Greg |date=2007-04-13 |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |access-date=2018-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
| rev4 = ''[[American Songwriter]]''
⚫
| rev4score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://americansongwriter.com/2007/05/fountains-of-wayne-traffic-and-weather/ |title=FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE > Traffic and Weather |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=2007-05-01 |website=[[American Songwriter]] |language=en-US |access-date=2018-05-25}}</ref>
⚫
| rev5 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
⚫
| rev5score = B+<ref>{{Cite magazine |url= https://ew.com/article/2007/03/30/traffic-and-weather/ |title=Traffic and Weather |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=2007-03-30 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
| rev6 = ''[[MSN Music]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Consumer Guide]])
⚫
| rev6score = A<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2007-09.php |title=Consumer Guide: September 2007 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=2007-09-01 |website=[[MSN Music]] |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]''
⚫
| rev7score = 3.0/10<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10047-traffic-and-weather/ |title=Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather Album Review |last=LeMay |first=Matt |date=2007-03-28 |website=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] |language=en |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
| rev8 = ''[[PopMatters]]''
⚫
| rev8score = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.popmatters.com/fountains-of-wayne-traffic-and-weather-2496146990.html |title=Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather |last=Vrabel |first=Jeff |date=2007-04-01 |website=[[PopMatters]] |language=en |access-date=2018-03-31}}</ref>
⚫
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
⚫
| rev9score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/13967089/review/14010851/traffic_and_weather |title=Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |accessdate=2007-04-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070407151432/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/13967089/review/14010851/traffic_and_weather |archivedate=April 7, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
⚫
| rev10 = ''[[Stylus Magazine]]''
⚫
| rev10score = D−<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/fountains-of-wayne/traffic-and-weather.htm |title=Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather |last=Cohen |first=Ian |date=2007-04-02 |website=[[Stylus Magazine]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080223083829/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/fountains-of-wayne/traffic-and-weather.htm |archive-date=2008-02-23}}</ref>
⚫
}}The album was met with moderate commercial success and generally favorable reviews. It reached #97 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart,<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1024534|pure_url=yes}} |title=Traffic and Weather: Charts & Awards |publisher=allmusic }}</ref> and the song "I-95" was named #54 in ''[[Rolling Stone|Rolling Stone's]]''{{'}}s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/15 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071215210725/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601363/the_100_best_songs_of_2007/15 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2007 |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2007-12-11 }}</ref> ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' described the album as having "more witty tales of confused young people caught between destinations".<ref name="blender">{{Cite news |url= http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2391 |title=25 Reasons to Love '07 |date=January–February 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080212070708/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=2391 |archive-date=2008-02-12 |publisher=Blender}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
⚫
All tracks are credited to [[Chris Collingwood]] and [[Adam Schlesinger]].
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
⚫
| all_writing = [[Chris Collingwood]] and [[Adam Schlesinger]]
| title1 = Someone to Love
| title1 = Someone to Love
| writer1 = Schlesinger
| length1 = 3:53
| length1 = 3:53
| title2 = '92 Subaru
| title2 = {{-'}}92 Subaru
| writer2 = Schlesinger
| length2 = 3:13
| length2 = 3:13
| title3 = Yolanda Hayes
| title3 = Yolanda Hayes
| writer3 = Schlesinger
| length3 = 4:01
| length3 = 4:01
| title4 = Traffic and Weather
| title4 = Traffic and Weather
| writer4 = Schlesinger
| length4 = 3:37
| length4 = 3:37
| title5 = Fire in the Canyon
| title5 = Fire in the Canyon
| writer5 = Collingwood
| length5 = 2:47
| length5 = 2:47
| title6 = This Better Be Good
| title6 = This Better Be Good
| writer6 = Schlesinger
| length6 = 3:04
| length6 = 3:04
| title7 = Revolving Dora
| title7 = Revolving Dora
| writer7 = Schlesinger
| length7 = 2:42
| length7 = 2:42
| title8 = Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim
| title8 = Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim
| writer8 = Schlesinger
| length8 = 3:42
| length8 = 3:42
| title9 = Strapped for Cash
| title9 = Strapped for Cash
| writer9 = Schlesinger
| length9 = 3:31
| length9 = 3:31
| title10 = I-95
| title10 = I-95
| writer10 = Schlesinger
| length10 = 3:08
| length10 = 3:08
| title11 = Hotel Majestic
| title11 = Hotel Majestic
| writer11 = Collingwood
| length11 = 3:28
| length11 = 3:28
| title12 = Planet of Weed
| title12 = Planet of Weed
| writer12 = Schlesinger
| length12 = 2:46
| length12 = 2:46
| title13 = New Routine
| title13 = New Routine
| writer13 = Schlesinger
| length13 = 4:14
| length13 = 4:14
| title14 = Seatbacks and Traytables
| title14 = Seatbacks and Traytables
| writer14 = Collingwood
| length14 = 3:31
| length14 = 3:31
| title15 = Sense Into You
| title15 = Sense Into You
Line 102: Line 110:


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
;Fountains of Wayne
* [[Chris Collingwood]] – [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]]
* [[Adam Schlesinger]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
* [[Chris Collingwood]] — [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]], [[banjo]]
* [[Jody Porter]] – [[lead guitar]], backing vocals
* [[Adam Schlesinger]] — [[Bass guitar|bass]], rhythm guitar, [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]], [[record producer|production]]
* [[Jody Porter]] — [[lead guitar]], backing vocals
* [[Brian Young (drummer)|Brian Young]] – [[Drum kit|drums]]
* [[Brian Young (drummer)|Brian Young]] — [[Drum kit|drums]], [[percussion]]
;Additional Musicians
* [[Melissa Auf der Maur]] - backing vocals on "Someone to Love"
* Ronnie Buttacavoli - [[trumpet]] on "Yolanda Hayes" and "Strapped for Cash"
* Scott Harrell - trumpet on "Strapped for Cash"
* [[James Iha]] - guitar on "Seatbacks and Traytables"
* [[Mike Viola]] - backing vocals on "Fire in the Canyon"
* [[Scott Wendholt]] - trumpet "Strapped for Cash"
;Technical Personnel
* Arjun Agerwala - assistant engineer
* [[Michael Brauer]] - mixing
* Cliff Burnstein - management
* Rudyard Lee Cullers - assistant engineer
* Shauna Haider - artwork, design
* John Holbrook - [[audio engineer|engineer]]
* Eiji Kikuchi - photography
* [[George Marino]] - [[audio mastering|mastering]]
* [[Peter Mensch]] - management
* Geoff Sanoff - engineer
* Ken Weinstein - publicity
* David Wolter - A&R


==Quotes about the album==
==Quotes about the album==
Line 114: Line 143:
* "As usual, there are a lot of songs about transportation and travel."<ref name="blender" />
* "As usual, there are a lot of songs about transportation and travel."<ref name="blender" />
* "Our goal is 12 units, then if we hit 13, it looks like a runaway success."<ref name="blender" />
* "Our goal is 12 units, then if we hit 13, it looks like a runaway success."<ref name="blender" />
* "([[Billy Corgan]]) was busy putting that other Smashing Pumpkins reunion together while we were working on this Smashing Pumpkins reunion on our record."<ref>{{cite web |last=Pais |first=Matt |url=http://chicago.metromix.com/music/article/smart-cool-people-like/166958/content |title='Smart, cool people like it' &#124; Metromix Chicago |publisher=Chicago.metromix.com |date=2007-08-31 |accessdate=2012-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214010909/http://chicago.metromix.com/music/article/smart-cool-people-like/166958/content |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* "([[Billy Corgan]]) was busy putting that other Smashing Pumpkins reunion together while we were working on this Smashing Pumpkins reunion on our record."<ref>{{cite web |last=Pais |first=Matt |url= http://chicago.metromix.com/music/article/smart-cool-people-like/166958/content |title='Smart, cool people like it' &#124; Metromix Chicago |publisher=Chicago.metromix.com |date=2007-08-31 |accessdate=2012-03-12 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120214010909/http://chicago.metromix.com/music/article/smart-cool-people-like/166958/content |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Songs===
===Songs===
*"Someone to Love": "a little bit '[[Eleanor Rigby]]'-esque, in that it's about these two lonely people living in New York. It has a disco-y beat, which is something we don't do a lot of. [[Melissa Auf der Maur]] sings backing vocals, and that's the first female vocal we've had since [[Dominique Durand]] from [[Ivy (band)|Ivy]] on the first album."<ref name="billboard">{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055882/fountains-of-wayne-untangle-traffic-jams |first=Jonathan |last=Cohen |title=Fountains Of Wayne Untangle 'Traffic' Jams |publisher=Billboard |date=2007-01-18 }}</ref>
*"Someone to Love": "a little bit '[[Eleanor Rigby]]'-esque, in that it's about these two lonely people living in New York. It has a disco-y beat, which is something we don't do a lot of. [[Melissa Auf der Maur]] sings backing vocals, and that's the first female vocal we've had since Dominique Durand from [[Ivy (band)|Ivy]] on the first album."<ref name="billboard">{{cite news |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055882/fountains-of-wayne-untangle-traffic-jams |first=Jonathan |last=Cohen |title=Fountains Of Wayne Untangle 'Traffic' Jams |publisher=Billboard |date=2007-01-18 }}</ref>
*"'92 Subaru": "It kind of sounds like [[The Doobie Brothers]] or [[Little Feat]] or something."<ref name="billboard" />
*"'92 Subaru": "It kind of sounds like [[The Doobie Brothers]] or [[Little Feat]] or something."<ref name="billboard" />
*"Yolanda Hayes": "About a woman who works at the [[Department of Motor Vehicles|DMV]]"<ref name="billboard" />
*"Yolanda Hayes": "About a woman who works at the [[Department of Motor Vehicles|DMV]]"<ref name="billboard" />
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*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaXmqUK9uo0V3TBZJDV5KA5JX7oUk1B0e ''Traffic and Weather''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed)
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaXmqUK9uo0V3TBZJDV5KA5JX7oUk1B0e ''Traffic and Weather''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed)
*{{metacritic album|traffic-and-weather}}
*{{Metacritic album}}


{{Fountains of Wayne}}
{{Fountains of Wayne}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Fountains of Wayne albums]]
[[Category:Fountains of Wayne albums]]
[[Category:2007 albums]]
[[Category:2007 albums]]
[[Category:Virgin Records albums]]
[[Category:Virgin Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Adam Schlesinger]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 20 October 2024

Traffic and Weather
Studio album by
Fountains of Wayne
ReleasedApril 3, 2007
GenrePower pop[1]
Length47:27
LabelVirgin
ProducerAdam Schlesinger
Fountains of Wayne chronology
Out-of-State Plates
(2005) 		Traffic and Weather
(2007) 		Sky Full of Holes
(2011)

Traffic and Weather is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Fountains of Wayne. It was released on Virgin Records in April 2007.

Background

[edit]

While previous Fountains of Wayne albums saw lead singer Chris Collingwood and bassist Adam Schlesinger write songs separately then arrange them with the rest of the band, initial work on their fourth album saw them trying a new approach in which they wanted to get guitarist Jody Porter and drummer Brian Young more involved by jamming together at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York. While it yielded many ideas, it didn't result in any finished songs.[2] In the end, "Strapped for Cash" was the only song developed from the Bearsville sessions, as the band reverted to their usual methods.[3] However, Collingwood was suffering from depression and alcoholism during the making of the album. As a result, he only penned three songs for it — "Fire in the Canyon", "Hotel Majestic" and "Seatbacks and Traytables" — while Schlesinger wrote the rest.[4] (In a Lennon/McCartney-like arrangement, the writing of each individual song is still credited to both Collingwood and Schlesinger, even though both in fact write separately. However, for this album, the publishing credits tell the story — all songs are published by Schlesinger's company Vaguely Familiar Music, except for Collingwood's contributions, which are published by Collingwood's company Monkey Demon Music.)

Recording

[edit]

Describing their process for the album, Schlesinger said, "We'll bring a song in, then Brian will come up with a feel for it, cut a basic track, then we'll spend a lot of time with Jody experimenting with different guitar parts. On this album more than any, you can really hear Jody's playing and the incredibly wide range that he's capable of."[5]

The song "Someone to Love" includes backing vocals from former Smashing Pumpkins and Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur,[6] "Fire in the Canyon" contains backing vocals from the Candy Butchers' Mike Viola, "Seatbacks and Traytables" features former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, and "Strapped for Cash" features trumpeters Ronnie Buttacavoli and Scott Wendholt; the former trumpeter also plays on "Yolanda Hayes".

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic68/100[7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Alternative Addiction[9]
The Austin Chronicle[10]
American Songwriter[11]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[12]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)A[13]
Pitchfork3.0/10[14]
PopMatters8/10[15]
Rolling Stone[16]
Stylus MagazineD−[17]

The album was met with moderate commercial success and generally favorable reviews. It reached #97 on the Billboard 200 albums chart,[18] and the song "I-95" was named #54 in Rolling Stone's's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.[19] Blender described the album as having "more witty tales of confused young people caught between destinations".[20]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are credited to Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Someone to Love"Schlesinger3:53
2."'92 Subaru"Schlesinger3:13
3."Yolanda Hayes"Schlesinger4:01
4."Traffic and Weather"Schlesinger3:37
5."Fire in the Canyon"Collingwood2:47
6."This Better Be Good"Schlesinger3:04
7."Revolving Dora"Schlesinger2:42
8."Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim"Schlesinger3:42
9."Strapped for Cash"Schlesinger3:31
10."I-95"Schlesinger3:08
11."Hotel Majestic"Collingwood3:28
12."Planet of Weed"Schlesinger2:46
13."New Routine"Schlesinger4:14
14."Seatbacks and Traytables"Collingwood3:31
15."Sense Into You" (Japan bonus track) 3:30
16."You Gotta Go" (Japan "Tour Edition" bonus track) 2:06

Personnel

[edit]
Fountains of Wayne
Additional Musicians
  • Melissa Auf der Maur - backing vocals on "Someone to Love"
  • Ronnie Buttacavoli - trumpet on "Yolanda Hayes" and "Strapped for Cash"
  • Scott Harrell - trumpet on "Strapped for Cash"
  • James Iha - guitar on "Seatbacks and Traytables"
  • Mike Viola - backing vocals on "Fire in the Canyon"
  • Scott Wendholt - trumpet "Strapped for Cash"
Technical Personnel
  • Arjun Agerwala - assistant engineer
  • Michael Brauer - mixing
  • Cliff Burnstein - management
  • Rudyard Lee Cullers - assistant engineer
  • Shauna Haider - artwork, design
  • John Holbrook - engineer
  • Eiji Kikuchi - photography
  • George Marino - mastering
  • Peter Mensch - management
  • Geoff Sanoff - engineer
  • Ken Weinstein - publicity
  • David Wolter - A&R

Quotes about the album

[edit]

All quotes from Adam Schlesinger.

General

[edit]
  • "I don't think anybody is counting on us for another one [Stacy's Mom Standard Hit] of those. I hope not."[20]
  • "As usual, there are a lot of songs about transportation and travel."[20]
  • "Our goal is 12 units, then if we hit 13, it looks like a runaway success."[20]
  • "(Billy Corgan) was busy putting that other Smashing Pumpkins reunion together while we were working on this Smashing Pumpkins reunion on our record."[21]

Songs

[edit]
  • "Someone to Love": "a little bit 'Eleanor Rigby'-esque, in that it's about these two lonely people living in New York. It has a disco-y beat, which is something we don't do a lot of. Melissa Auf der Maur sings backing vocals, and that's the first female vocal we've had since Dominique Durand from Ivy on the first album."[22]
  • "'92 Subaru": "It kind of sounds like The Doobie Brothers or Little Feat or something."[22]
  • "Yolanda Hayes": "About a woman who works at the DMV"[22]

Recording

[edit]
  • "We had these grand ambitions to change our process, we went up to Woodstock and jammed, but in the end, only one thing from that session, 'Strapped for Cash,' turned into an actual song. For the rest of it, we went back to our usual method of writing on our own and bringing in a song to be arranged by everyone. Woodstock was good to get back together and loosen up, but I guess we're pretty set in our ways."[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Layman, Will (April 15, 2007). "Fountains of Wayne: Too Smart to Be a Rock Band, Too Smart to Be Anything Else". PopMatters. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "Fountains Of Wayne Get Busy On New Album". Billboard. January 18, 2006. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  3. ^ Bruno, Anthony (February 28, 2011). "AllMusic.com Folding Into AllRovi.com for One-Stop Entertainment Shop". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Kelly, Amy (April 26, 2007). "Fountains Of Wayne Frontman: 'On New CD I Didn't Bring A Lot To The Table!'". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  5. ^ Johnson, Heather (April 1, 2007). "Fountains of Wayne". Mix. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  6. ^ "Fountains Of Wayne ready new album". NME Online. January 19, 2007.
  7. ^ "Traffic And Weather by Fountains of Wayne". Metacritic. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  8. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Traffic and Weather Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  9. ^ "Album Review of Traffic and Weather by Fountains of Wayne". Alternative Addiction. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  10. ^ Beets, Greg (April 13, 2007). "Review: Fountains of Wayne". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  11. ^ Gallucci, Michael (May 1, 2007). "FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE > Traffic and Weather". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Collis, Clark (March 30, 2007). "Traffic and Weather". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  13. ^ Christgau, Robert (September 1, 2007). "Consumer Guide: September 2007". MSN Music. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  14. ^ LeMay, Matt (March 28, 2007). "Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  15. ^ Vrabel, Jeff (April 1, 2007). "Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather". PopMatters. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  16. ^ "Fountains of Wayne: Traffic and Weather". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 7, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2007.
  17. ^ Cohen, Ian (April 2, 2007). "Fountains of Wayne - Traffic and Weather". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on February 23, 2008.
  18. ^ "Traffic and Weather: Charts & Awards". allmusic.
  19. ^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2007". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2007. Archived from the original on December 15, 2007.
  20. ^ a b c d "25 Reasons to Love '07". Blender. January–February 2007. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
  21. ^ Pais, Matt (August 31, 2007). "'Smart, cool people like it' | Metromix Chicago". Chicago.metromix.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  22. ^ a b c d Cohen, Jonathan (January 18, 2007). "Fountains Of Wayne Untangle 'Traffic' Jams". Billboard.
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