Please forgive Fountains of Waynes Adam Schlesinger for screening against angst ridden, big rock noise. Hes generally a pretty jovial fellow, but as creator of snappy three minutes or less pop songs that can change your life, he fiercely believes in the sanctimony of his oft overlooked craft. "These bands that are angry really have to figure out some explanation for it," says Schlesinger, half of the New York based group, along with Chris Collingwood. "I think most of the time its just an excuse for not being able to write a song. They realize that they can get over on attitude and loud guitars." You wont find attitude or loud guitars (Not too many) on Fountains of Wayne self titled debut. (Scratchie/Atlantic) Thats because Schlesinger and Collingwood have the goods-an ear opening album of memorable tunes that run the gamut from goofy to melancholy, to wondrously poetic. Theres an even more polite jab at all those bands Schlesinger hates on "Please Dont Rock Me Tonight."

The pair met at William College in 1986 where they discovered a shared affection for Britpop-from Beatles-Zombies to Aztec Camera and Prefab Sprout. "We had a whole series of crappy bands in college," says Schlesinger. "We were sort of learning how to write songs at the time kind of teaching each other." The bands got progressively less crappy culminating in the recording of an indie LP as Pinwheel (originally the Wallflowers until Jacob Dylons band bought the name)"For not a whole lot of money," Schlesinger says.

The record got sucked into a legal vortex and was never released meanwhile, Schlesinger moved to New York City and cast his lot with the dreamy pop of IVY. (He also wrote the title song for the file That Thing You DO!)

"Ivy started as a diversion from Pinwheel, but it started to gather some steam," Schlesinger says. "Chris started playing in this country band in Boston (Mercy Buckets) and we kind of went our separate ways for awhile."

The pair reconvened earlier this year to write the songs for Fountains of Wayne (the name came from a knack-knack shop in New Jersey) Despite the albums gloss, it was created on the quick, seven days writing eight days in the studio. our approach to this album rather than spend too much time trying to finish the songs that werent happening we thought, lets just write a huge batch of songs and be done with it," Schlesinger says. Although they share songwriting credits Schlesinger and Collingwood generally write separately, a la Lennon/McCartney. "Kind of," Schlesinger jokes, "but on a much higher level." And adds Collingwood "were alive."

While essentially a duo (plus bassist Danny Weinkauf), Fountains touring band will feature some surprises.

"It was pretty grueling auditioning the multi-ethnic childrens chorus," says Collingwood. "That took a few weeks." Adds Schlesinger "...and getting all those guys who played on Rhythm of the Saints."