NO BETTER PLACE: LIVE IN CHICAGO by FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE (Shout Music)

Some people might think that this is where Material Issue left off but this band found it’s very own pop harmony alternative punk sound all on their own. Though recorded in 2005 the release of this came out in 2009. Fountains Of Wayne still have the original line up of Chris Collingwood guitar, Adam Schleesinger bass, Jody Proter guitars, Brian Young percussion and Steve M. Gold is on Keyboards. This five member piece are based out of Chicago. They make pop music look easy with the alternative and punk flares thrown in for good hooks and catchy melodies. This release marks for the band’s first ever live DVD. 

Of special interest is that they added some cool things that other live DVD shows don’t give. For example the sound is in 5.1 Surround Sound which puts you right into the theater venue as if you are the band and the attending audience all at the same time. The format is in widescreen format so your able to see the whole stage and wide shots of the full audiences. The career set includes punched up performances of the bands show biz hits including Hey Julie, Survival Car, Radiation Vibe, Denise, Sink To The Bottom and of course a newer cool version of Stacy’s Mom. But in this package of songs is also a very intricate five song acoustic set performance of the songs Joe Rey, Fire In The Canyon, Someone To Love, I-95 and It Must Be Summer. Though filmed in October this pop gem makes it feel like summer.

(Review by Jonathan D. Wright)