Tinted Windows

My cousin posted on facebook something about Hansen coming back, which pleased her.

Back in the '90's I hated Hansen, basically because I was required to by law.  Teen bands younger than you you just can't like, so even if  "Man from Milwaukee" was catchy, I'd never admit it.  A couple years ago, a poker buddy's wife admitted that she loved Hansen, and that they continued to write songs and tour.  So I checked them out.  I still wasn't into them, but there was nothing inherently wrong with them anymore - they were certainly no less talented than The Fray, just not my thing.

Then I heard about Tinted Windows.  I've liked Fountains of Wayne and Adam Schlesinger ever since I learned that he was the guy who wrote "That Thing You Do."  So that's one plus.  And they had James Iha, who I think shows just how much being rich and famous and a rock star can suck: to be one of the "other guys" in Smashing Pumpkins, despite being a talented guitarist and song writer - this must be how Noel Redding Feels.

So I listened to the Tinted Windows album.  It has precisely one good song on it, which is the stunningly catchy "Kind of a Girl."  Do not be fooled by this single.  It's like Matthew Sweet - there is one song that is perfection, and everything else - it's not bad, you just can't remember the melody or lyrics five seconds after it's over.

I firmly believe this is the test of a bad album - if you honestly have no feelings one way or the other after you hear it, or if you can't remember the melody as soon as the song ends, don't think to yourself "It's alright."  It's so much worse to be boring than bad.  My boss loves bands like this.  He'll put on one of several (!) Dishwalla albums he has, and even if it's the one with "Counting Blue Cars" it makes for a bad hour at work.  I can't stand it - there's nothing going on.  Technically, they're playing chords, and singing, but it's so smooth in the middle and bland that you forget about them instantly.  Next time he says he loves the album, I'll challenge him to remember one melody or lyric from it.  If he can, I'll shut up.

Anyway, buy the Tinted Windows single, but beware the album.