Foutains of Wayne is a great band, I'm glad that they finally broke from the underground with "Welcome Interstate Managers" after years of being virtually unknown. They're just NYC/NJ area pop/rock done well...good stuff.
FWIW, the name of the band comes from a garden center that's at the intersection of Rt 46 and Rt 23 in Wayne NJ. There's a huge sign that says "Fountains of Wayne" LOL
"Welcome Interstate Managers" is one CD I have not taken out of my selection of a dozen visor CD's that I rotate. Tremendously well done pop rock. Nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary. Great writing, arrangements and harmonies recorded and mixed well. Totally addictive.
I personally don't think they've surpassed the first album. I thought "Interstate" was a bit hit and miss, so much so in fact I wasn't going to check out the new one until this thread. But you've all reminded me how much I love the first record of to listen now !!