Tinted Windows, S/T

Posted in Current Faves, Music, Reviews |

By Less Lee Moore and Noreen Sobczyk

A band with Bun E. Carlos and Taylor Hanson probably sounds strange (and horrifying) to those who think Cheap Trick has nothing in common with Hanson. As a fan of both bands, we were excited about hearing this album. Having James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne) as part of the mix could have rendered the whole affair nothing more than a poorly executed publicity stunt, but it really works.

So here is a track-by-track review. . .

“Kind Of Girl”

Less Lee: This is sublimely, ridiculously, embarrassingly enjoyable and catchy.

Noreen: It is the musical equivalent of riding in a convertible with the stereo cranked to 11 with the wind blowing through your hair whilst you and your best friend sing along.

Less Lee: And if anything could be described as “soaring,” this song would be it. It features different vocal stylings than I’m used to from Taylor Hanson and though he doesn’t always quite hit it, it still works.

Noreen: It’s definitely a summer anthem, right up there with The Cars, but with a different vibe. It would fit perfectly on a mix tape snuggled up against “Switchin’ to Glide” by the Kings. Screw indie cred; this just makes you feel good. Admit it.

Less Lee: I’ll admit it! I’ll also add that if this doesn’t make you happy and stick in your head for days after hearing it, then you probably hate puppies and kittens, too.

“Messing With My Head”

Noreen: This is a solid pop rock song. “Well, come on come on” is sung in a syrup-y sweet swoon-worthy backing voice. Cheap Trick’s influence is felt. You have to like it.

Less Lee: I love it. This reminds me of Rick Springfield circa-Working Class Dog. Seriously, this is a high compliment and anyone who thinks he is crap obviously hasn’t heard that album. This song has that edgy pop vibe of stuff straddling the line between late 70s post punk new wave and glossy pop.

Noreen: Right, it’s a bit like poppier new wave minus the synths. Think Greg Kihn, The Knack, and The Shoes. Those of you old enough to have owned a Rubik’s Cube the first time around know from whence I speak.

Less Lee: I’ve listened to Hanson for years and seen them live three times so I’m not sure if Taylor’s voice cutting out is the mix, him reining in his natural vibrato, or perhaps a sign he should stop smoking. But I do like it. Oh my god, the background vocals towards the end give me goosebumps.

“Dead Serious”

Less Lee: When this song comes on I sort of internally groan and think, “Oh no, it’s the power ballad,” but when I’m listening to the song, I actually like it a lot.

Noreen: Yes, the lyrics are a bit cheddar. This is sort of the modern equivalent of a faster tempo ballad by Shaun Cassidy. (And the little girls who’ve now aged since “Mmmbop” swoon. . . )

Less Lee: Nice observation! I think the guitar seems kinda stodgy and cliché after the first two high-energy tracks, although Hanson’s voice sounds better when it’s by itself. He gets to flex it a bit more here.

Noreen: Anyone who uses “Hey hey hey now hey hey hey” in a song is either really bad, or having more fun than most modern bands and don’t care about possible jokes. I choose to believe the latter. But this one is difficult to defend. (If Popshifter were about that, which thankfully it isn’t.)

Less Lee: I still maintain that this sounds like a missing Redd Kross track from Show World.

Photo from the Tinted Windows website

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