Tinted Windows

Tinted Windows | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: S-Curve Records
• ASIN: B001UGGVC4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,787 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Tinted Windows are: Taylor Hanson (lead vocals), James Iha (guitar), Adam Schlesinger (bass) and Bun E. Carlos (drums). Taylor Hanson is best known as the lead singer of Hanson, the multi-million-selling trio of brothers who have been recording and touring since 1992. James Iha was one of the original members of the multi-platinum Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger is best known for founding the gold-selling band Fountans of Wayne and Ivy. Bun E. Carlos is the original drummer of the legendary and multi-platinum Cheap Trick. Taylor and Adam first crossed paths in the mid-Nineties. "Ever since we met, Taylor and I had talked about trying to do something together," says Schlesinger, "maybe write some songs, or play some shows- something." Meanwhile, James and Adam had been collaborating on various projects for years. When discussing possible drummers to round out the group, they thought, "Who do we know that can play drums like Bun E. Carlos?" before realizing the obvious. After listening to a few demos Bun E. was on board. Explains Bun E., "The songs are great and I'm honored to be a part of Tinted Windows." Fusing the sounds of power-pop, rock and New Wave of the late 70's and early 80's, with the more modern rock and pop sounds of their own groups, the result is a fun, stripped-down, high-energy record that doesn't really sound like anything else any of the four has done elsewhere. Meet Tinted Windows.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New-Wave Pop Mini-Masterpiece, April 21, 2009

By 

Cory T. Shaeffer "HockeyFanatic" (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tinted Windows (Audio CD)

It would be quite tempting to write "Tinted Windows" off as a guilty pleasure, given the direction that Taylor Hanson and James Iha's respective careers have gone over the past decade. And sure, Fountains of Wayne frontman Adam Schlesinger has a knack for writing simple, catchy, 60's ish melodies that sound as if they could have come right out of a jam session by the Beatles, the Monkees, or the Beach Boys. But these songs are strong all the way through, with hooks big enough to beach a whale - and the band works up just enough steam and energy to make each song worthwhile. The two obvious highlights of the set are "Can't Get a Read on You" and "Without Love," but there are ahost of other songs, such as the hit single "Kind of a Girl," that are not to be dismissed, either. Occasionally, the band members' colors shine through ("We've Got Something" sounds like Hanson performing a Cheap Trick song), but for the most part, these guys venture a bit from the formula of their past hits with their original bands, and unlike many of the other bands out there who try to make records like this one, Tinted Windows comes up with more than a few hooks to make the whole experience worthwhile. With supergroups, it is usually all-or-nothing. And for the most part, Tinted Windows gets it all right, and when they don't, they still get by on their tight melodies and energetic, fun performances.

When was the last time you heard a brand new record that actually sounded FUN? If you miss those days, this one will make you smile.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars more hooks than a tackle box, April 27, 2009

By 

Michael J. Johnston "dj mj" (La Jolla, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tinted Windows (Audio CD)

a history of power pop condensed into 36 minutes. if you don't understand it, or are comparing it to some of the current bands du jour, you're part of the a.d.d. generation that doesn't have a clue. you have to be aware of the influences. follow the trail that led them here. appreciate the beauty of what's being presented to you. i picked it up on a whim, not sure what to expect. haven't been able to stop listening to it. will be forcing others to buy their own copies. this is joy, pure and simple.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Written, 70's Sounding Power Pop, With Hooks...What's Not To Like, April 24, 2009

By 

C. Welch "Metal Still Rules All" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tinted Windows (Audio CD)

I wasn't sure if this would live up to my expectations. First it's a Supergroup. Which in most instances suck. This doesn't. Second, I'm a big fan of all the artists involved and the sum of all the parts could have easily let me down. But it doesn't. Not even close.

I got the cd and put the windows down in the car and turned it up and it was perfect. Perfect summer rock. Very AM Radio on a few of the tracks. It hit me exactly as I would have hoped and wanted. The first single is the best. But that by no means implies that the rest is a let down.

As for sound & style, well It leans more to Cheap Trick's early work more than anything. But a couple of the songs could be slightly more rocking Hanson songs with some fuzzy guitars. But overall it's a very 70's era power pop sounding cd. And it does rock. It's meant to be played loud. And I did.

I'm lucky enough to be seeing them at the Double Door in Chicago next week. And I'm truly pleased that this cd is as good as it is.

I have read some critic reviews and a few remarks I can agree with...the lyrics are not as fun as a Fountains cd. But I think 2 things, one it needs to be listened to at least 3 times to get the hooks and 2 it needs to be played loud. It's a fun cd.