Also this issue: Random House The Twin Atlas’ curious methods and haphazard road map to rock. -Brian Howard The Nut Never Sleeps -Sam Adams Melt Banana -Paul Burress Alexi Murdoch -Nicole Pensiero Tom Tom Club -A.D. Amorosi DJ Buck -Sean O’Neal Mary Lee's Corvette -Nicole Pensiero Yerba Buena -A.D. Amorosi

July 10-16, 2003

musicpicks

Fountains of Wayne

Power pop is the New Jersey of rock 'n' roll, but being disrespected has rarely been as harmonious as on Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers (S-Curve). Less Thunder Road than Risky Business, the New York quartet's third album takes place in a suburban strip-mall world of bridge and tunnel traffic jams and brown-spotted lawns. No less than Bruce Springsteen's, the world of Welcome Interstate Managers -- approximately exits 10 to 14 on the New Jersey Turnpike -- is the land of hope and dreams, only the hopes come from an alcoholic sales manager asleep in a potted plant in the Port Authority ("Bright Future in Sales"), and the dreams are of making it with your classmate's mom ("Stacy's Mom," with its Fast Times at Ridgemont High-inspired video). As proudly suburban as any band since The Cars, Fountains of Wayne aren't afraid to wear their hearts on their JCPenney sleeves.

Sat., July 12, 8 p.m., $15, with Ben Lee and David Mead, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

—Sam Adams