Utopia Parkway

Utopia Parkway
Studio album by Fountains of Wayne
Released	April 6, 1999
Recorded	Stratosphere Sound
Genre	Alternative rock, power pop
Length	45:35
Label	Atlantic 83177-2
Producer	Adam Schlesinger, Chris Collingwood
Fountains of Wayne chronology
Fountains of Wayne (1996) Utopia Parkway (1999) Welcome Interstate Managers (2003)

Utopia Parkway is a 1999 album by Fountains of Wayne, released through Atlantic Records. It was the follow-up to the band's 1996 self-titled debut; like its predecessor, it showcases upbeat, power pop music.

Following this album, Fountains of Wayne was dropped by their label, Atlantic Records, after sales failed to meet expectations. As well, the band had a growing dispute with the company after it put no effort into promoting the single for "Troubled Times".

The album is named after a major street that connects the neighborhoods of Utopia, Beechhurst and several other neighborhoods in the Queens borough of New York City. The street sign on the album cover is from this street.

Track listing

All songs written by Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger.

1. "Utopia Parkway" – 3:09
2. "Red Dragon Tattoo" – 3:32
3. "Denise" – 2:32
4. "Hat and Feet" – 3:03
5. "The Valley of Malls" – 3:23
6. "Troubled Times" – 3:39
7. "Go, Hippie" – 3:58
8. "A Fine Day For a Parade" – 4:13
9. "Amity Gardens" – 3:11
10. "Laser Show" – 2:24
11. "Lost in Space" – 2:19
12. "Prom Theme" – 3:09
13. "It Must Be Summer" – 3:19
14. "The Senator's Daughter" – 3:44
15. "I Know You Well" – 3:26 (Japan bonus track)

Personnel

• Chris Collingwood – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Adam Schlesinger – bass, keyboards, backing vocals
• Jody Porter – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Brian Young – drums

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Pitchfork Media	(5.1/10)
Robert Christgau

Utopia Parkway was named an "Album of the Week" by People Magazine in 1999 upon its release^{[citation needed]}, and got very good reviews in major media outlets.

The album contains two fan favorite songs from the Fountains' live performances^{[citation needed]}: "Red Dragon Tattoo," about a boy who gets a tattoo to impress a girl, and "Denise," a faux-grunge power-pop confection where the songwriters show their intentionally bad and comic writing with "She works at Liberty Travel/ She's got a heart made of gravel." "Troubled Times," originally written by Collingwood when he and Schlesinger were in a previous incarnation of Fountains of Wayne called Pinnwheel, is also a fan favorite.

"Red Dragon Tattoo" was featured prominently throughout the Stephen King mini-series Kingdom Hospital.

Cover versions

The 2008 Dar Williams album Promised Land includes a cover of "Troubled Times".