Posted on: May 21, 2009 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 2

Tinted Windows’ debut is getting here just in time. Every pop-punk/emo band that was too late to jump onto that bandwagon as it was heading out of town, is now calling itself a power pop band, despite not knowing their Cheap Trick from Their Raspberries. With Tinted Windows, there’s finally a stellar super group with the perfect pedigree (including a member of Cheap Trick) to remind the kids exactly what the genre should sound like. Comprised of members from Cheap Trick, Smashing Pumpkins, Fountains of Wayne and Hanson (yes, that Hanson), the group turns in a fantastic record of tight pop songs, with sing-along choruses that stick around for days – 11 songs in just over 30 minutes.

Some of the tracks are better than others (“Back With You,” for example drags the record down in exactly the wrong spot), but there are plenty of other up tempo rockers to more than make up for the occasional slip (“Without Love” has not left my head for the past week). Fronted by Taylor Hanson, the former Mmmbopper has finally found his real calling. His voice is perfect for these songs of love and crushes, backed by distorted guitar and plenty of handclaps. Let’s hope the new saviors of power pop decide to stick around longer than just one album.

Top Tracks: “Back With You,” “Kind of Girl” and “We Got Something”

Ratings: 8.5 out of 10

Tinted Windows – Self-titled / CD / 2009 S-Curve / 11 Tracks / http://www.tintedwindowsmusic.com

2 People reacted on this

  1. Yes, it’s really a catchy, “can’t get the songs out of my head” kind of CD. The tunes and lyrics are simple, but are very well crafted. My 8 and 10 year old daughters really enjoy Tinted Windows as well, and ask me to play it in the minivan. They don’t know that Taylor Hanson was a teenage heart throb a dozen years ago. They just like the music.

  2. im a little confused as to why the song back with you is criticised, yet its one of the top tracks? weird.

    i love the album, i think the music is really good and so much fun to listen to:)

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