Artist: Tinted Windows

CD Review

CD Title: Tinted Windows

Record Label: S Curve

By Adam Bowman

For once, a “supergroup” produces exactly what one would expect it to.  Tinted Windows does, in fact, feature catchy melodies, an upbeat energy, and solid rhythm guitar work.  The whole thing is so damn upbeat – dare I say, happy? - that it seems relegated to Disney Channel rotations and the odd sitcom serious moment.  Could it work as escapism for the demographic the songs seem aimed towards?  Most assuredly.  Everyone else may have heard this before and won't be drawn in simply by the cast of characters (Taylor Hanson – yes, that Taylor Hanson, Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne, James Iha, and Mr. Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick on the skins.)

Iha's songwriting muscles are stretched beyond his time with A Perfect Circle and Smashing Pumpkins, but these are by no means complex songs.  They're fun, light and as catchy as the group can make them.  Carlos provides the driving energy, while Schlesinger and Hanson layer it up with excellent pop harmonies and melodies (though don't expect any brain teasing lyrics...”You're my Cha Cha”, for instance.)  It's precisely the happy, summer-y vibe everyone thought this would be.  By no means is this a bad thing, but it helps to know exactly what you may be getting into.  Buy this if you don't want to think about anything but love, the summer sun and the occasional cool breeze through your hair.