UPDATE March 20, 2009:

To see my live interview with the band, click here (you can also enjoy their first full music video).

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ORIGINAL Blog Post, March 19, 2009

TINTED WINDOWS DEBUT IN AUSTIN, TEXAS (and on FOX7's Good Day Austin)

DEBUT ALBUM REVIEW

I can hardly contain my enthusiasm. On Friday, March 20, I'll have a segment with Tinted Windows on Good Day Austin (our segment will air live between 8:00am-8:35am). Tinted Windows is made up of James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick), Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), and Taylor Hanson (Hanson). They are a multi-generational group-- Bun E is 57 years old, James- 40, Adam- 41, Taylor- 26. 

Tinted's debut album comes out April 21st, but I'm one of those lucky dudes who gets to hear it before its release. My review? Maybe I'm reading too much into this album and letting my imagination run away with me, but this is what I think: There are 3 parallels... 1. The group's members range in age/maturity.... this lines up with- 2. The quality and genre of the music in the cd clearly changes from the first track to the last one. The first song is what I'd call pure Pop & Roll-- uptempo and simple, musically but with a great harmony and catchy hook. As the cd progresses (just like the ages of the members of the band), so does the musicianship... later songs are more complex and lyrically/musically insightful. 3. The album is about the stages of a relationship. The first track is about a fella who is awestruck by a girl... there is great foreshadowing with this song. The fella knows he should leave her alone, but can't resist. As the songs progress, the relationship degresses, which is another parallel of maturity/aging. Am I making all of this up? It may sound like it, but I think I have it right.... although, I am a daydreamer. So my bottom line is: concept band, concept album, concept art.

To generically sum up the genre of music, it's pop rock-- Pop & Roll. But giving it that label is too easy. Tinted Windows' debut album crosses many generations of rock... some of it is mature, some of it's playful. Just about every song has a brilliant hook and/or riff (I can't emphasize the prominence of hooks and riffs nearly enough) that will have you humming out loud and in your head in class, at work, or in line at the post office (this is great music for jogging, too-- good storyline and most of the songs are uptempo).

There is very little information on them out there, except for this Rolling Stone Magazine interview and their funky, funny promotional video which you can watch below.

Tinted's premiere debut #1 first-ever official live performances are in Austin at South by Southwest:

#1

Levis/Fader Party

1101 East 5th St

Friday, March 20, 6:45PM

#2

Billboard Party

Pangea

409 Colorado St

Friday, March 20, 11:00PM

#3

The Bat Bar @ Austin Convention Ctr

(open to public)

Saturday, March 20, 10:00PM

If you can't make it to these shows, check back on myfoxaustin.com Friday, March 20th after Good Day Austin-- we'll post my segment with the band on our website under the Good Day tab on the home page (you can also watch live online on myfoxaustin.com).