Tinted Windows, S/T

Posted in Current Faves, Music, Reviews |

“We Got Something”

Less Lee: Is it me, or does almost every song on this sound like a single?

Noreen: Ladies and gentleman, we have another single on our hands.

Less Lee: The bridge seems as if is going to go one way but then it doesn’t and that actually makes me like it more.

Noreen: The band is clearly having a good time in this song, and it’s infectious, but not in a swine flu way, in a gooey, bubblegummy, heretofore-unheard-of-tamer-disease way.

Less Lee: Taylor Hanson does “ooh” vocals as good, if not better, than just about anyone.

Noreen: And by the time this song hits, you have to think to yourself, “Well, this was worth the purchase price.” In fact, I tested this album out on a visiting friend, and by the time this one rolled along they said, “Is this an advance, or can I buy it for my plane ride?” Tinted Windows have created a fabulous road trip record, and damn if that isn’t worth something. No pun intended.

“Nothing To Me”

Noreen: The first time I heard this I thought, “Is this a cover of an unused Cheap Trick song?”

Less Lee: I know! I don’t know if this was Hanson’s homage to Cheap Trick, but it honestly sounds like it could have been on their 1997 self-titled release on Red Ant.

Noreen: It’s one to use as a litmus test, as in, “You say you like Cheap Trick, but you’re mocking Tinted Windows?”

Less Lee: Exactly. The bass is very Petersson-esque and I dig the twangy guitar bit. I actually can imagine Robin Zander singing this.

Noreen: For the record, anyone who says they like Cheap Trick but that they don’t like at least five songs on this record, is just trying to be cool. Why do people do that? You’re either wearing a wife beater and too rock & roll to admit this is pretty good, or you’re still hung up on Taylor Hanson being in the band. Come on, you’re nine tracks in: go to sleep and let the pod open. It’s easier.

“Doncha Wanna”

Less Lee: Here’s another example of the poppy/heavy vibe that runs throughout this whole album.

Noreen: This one also smacks of Cheap Trick. The production is so clean and perfect. It’s another ear worm, but slightly heavier.

Less Lee: The echoey, breathy vocals sound fantastic against that chiming guitar.

Noreen: I like how the guitar is pushed down in the mix towards the end and mingles with a 747 soaring pedal effect. Hanson’s voice works really well here—no complaints.

“Take Me Back”

Less Lee: I’m going to sound like a broken record, but this is another song that reminds me of Rick Springfield, especially the line about “been working overtime.”

Noreen: The lyrics have a nice rhyme scheme.

Less Lee: At the same time, it’s very Hanson-esque and ends the album on a nice, yearning note.

Noreen: When he sings “T- T- T- Take Me Back” it’s yet another shameless acquiescence to pop, and it’s sweet. And bonus points for using the word “girl.” One more point would have been awarded for the use of “mama.” More songs need to use the word “mama.”

Less Lee: Truth be told, I’ve been waiting for Hanson to make an entire record of catchy pop songs in the vein of “Runaway Run,” from 2000′s This Time Around album. Although this is the only one that really hits that mark, I am not disappointed. In fact, I adore the whole album.

“New Cassette” (iTunes bonus track)

Noreen: First off, kudos for the use of the word, and the reference to the now mocked format of cassette. This would have been a staple on your Walkman back in the day. The song is fun with lines like “Blastin’ on the Pioneer/got to wait ’til the neighbor’s gone/make sure I don’t have the Dolby on.”

And it references calling in to a radio station. It makes me feel my age a bit, and I wonder if Hanson knows from whence he sings. It’s an expression of the excitement a fan feels waiting for a new album (well, those of us who still buy music), and a love letter from a fan to a band, with clever lines like “Did it take all summer/to find a new drummer” and “Now I can’t get it out of my head.” Neither can we boys, neither can we.

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Not to lend credence to some incredibly mean-spirited and unprofessional reviews of this album which are floating around (not linked here out of spite as well as respect for this band), but who cares if these lyrics are lightweight pop poems for the lovelorn? We don’t need to be deep all the time.

The record isn’t “all killer no filler,” but it’s damn near close. Tune in. Turn on. This album has more hooks than Dolly Parton’s bra. More hooks than a fly fisherman’s tackle box. More hooks than Leatherface can hang a victim on. You get the point. And the cool kids can snicker all they want at this band—it just leaves more fun for the rest of us.

Tinted Windows is currently on tour: they play Philadelphia on August 1 and Boston on August 3. For tour dates, news, videos, and more, please visit the band’s Official Website or MySpace page.

RELATED LINKS:

Turn On The Video: Cheap Trick On YouTube, Popshifter July/August 2009 issue

Cheap Trick, The Latest, Popshifter July/August 2009 issue

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