Artist: Tinted Windows
Album: Tinted Windows
Year: 2009
Grade: 3 pretzels
Seriously, though, what the fuck? Tinted Windows are a band that simply refuses to make sense. They are the most inexplicable supergroup in the history of music and I feel I can say that without anyone challenging me. Their lineup spans way too many genres of music, starting with ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, adding Fountains Of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos (huh?!), before finally culminating with none other than Taylor Hanson. That’s right, the middle Hanson brother is the singer. With Tinted Windows, we have four people who have no business being in the same room, let alone forming a band together. Plus, who in their right mind would name a band “Tinted Windows?” The jokes practically write themselves.
Except, somehow, this album doesn’t suck. I refuse to call it good, but I can say, with complete assurance, that it doesn’t suck. Or, rather, it fails at sucking. Somehow, these four mismatched musicians have managed to come together and create a fun, harmless little album of sparkly power-pop. Is the music revolutionary? Oh god no. But that’s clearly not Tinted Windows’ goal. All they want to do is have fun, play some bright rock music and get people smiling and dancing. By keeping their goals that simple, they manage to accomplish them. Tinted Windows are only trying to do one thing. Thank god they can do it well.
Tinted Windows is an album driven completely by formula. Every song is built on a sturdy pop guitar riff, which is then built up into a dense, buzzing power-pop anthem. All the tempos are more-or-less the same. The lyrics are basically interchangeable, drawing from the traditional songbook of boy-girl interactions. I know these sound like bad things, but that’s the charm of power-pop. It’s a genre that’s never claimed to be anything more than feel-good music for jumping around and driving. With all their cooing and “whoa-oh” choruses, Tinted Windows have tapped into that vibe and exploited it for all it’s worth.
The secret weapon in the band is Iha and his sharp guitar. Without his buzz-saw riffs (ex. “Messing With My Head”) taking up the majority of the space on each song, this album would fall flat. It would sound as routine and lifeless as the rest of the power-poppy guitar songs flooding the air waves. But with something as simple as some strong guitar, Tinted Windows have lifted themselves…ever so slightly…over the ranks of their peers. They’ve delivered a strong, well-played album of harmless songs, perfect for driving to beaches in the summer. It won’t change the world, but that’s ok.
Except, somehow, this album doesn’t suck. I refuse to call it good, but I can say, with complete assurance, that it doesn’t suck. Or, rather, it fails at sucking. Somehow, these four mismatched musicians have managed to come together and create a fun, harmless little album of sparkly power-pop. Is the music revolutionary? Oh god no. But that’s clearly not Tinted Windows’ goal. All they want to do is have fun, play some bright rock music and get people smiling and dancing. By keeping their goals that simple, they manage to accomplish them. Tinted Windows are only trying to do one thing. Thank god they can do it well.
Tinted Windows is an album driven completely by formula. Every song is built on a sturdy pop guitar riff, which is then built up into a dense, buzzing power-pop anthem. All the tempos are more-or-less the same. The lyrics are basically interchangeable, drawing from the traditional songbook of boy-girl interactions. I know these sound like bad things, but that’s the charm of power-pop. It’s a genre that’s never claimed to be anything more than feel-good music for jumping around and driving. With all their cooing and “whoa-oh” choruses, Tinted Windows have tapped into that vibe and exploited it for all it’s worth.
The secret weapon in the band is Iha and his sharp guitar. Without his buzz-saw riffs (ex. “Messing With My Head”) taking up the majority of the space on each song, this album would fall flat. It would sound as routine and lifeless as the rest of the power-poppy guitar songs flooding the air waves. But with something as simple as some strong guitar, Tinted Windows have lifted themselves…ever so slightly…over the ranks of their peers. They’ve delivered a strong, well-played album of harmless songs, perfect for driving to beaches in the summer. It won’t change the world, but that’s ok.
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