Most Anticipated Albums of 2010

2010 Music Preview - 15 records to save the industry.

2009 will be known as a year of record breaking single track downloads while full album sales fell to an all time low. This trend could be seen as a consumer driven need for a single pop song, or maybe just a lack of enough material to make a fan want an entire album from a single artist. Either way, music lovers will rejoice in 2010 and hopefully get back to embracing albums with the release of some very highly anticipated, and in many cases, long overdue records.  Here is a list of bands that lead the pack and will ultimately be responsible for saving the format.

1. MGMT: CONGRATULATIONS
(SPRING)

The group told NME in a recent interview that their new release is intended to be heard as a complete album, and will not include any radio-friendly tracks like "Time to Pretend" or "Kids." If anyone has a legitimate shot at becoming successful with this strategy, it’s MGMT. These guys have the potential to be a modern day Pink Floyd, in a sense.

2. INTERPOL
(EARLY 2010)
Drummer Sam Fogarino told PASTE, "The new record falls back towards the first. In trying to move forward, there was an unspoken realization that you can't let go of your sonic-defining tag." Well, surprise, surprise, another band figured out they just need to do what they know.

3. THE STROKES
(LATE 2010)

Singer Julian Casablancas’s brilliant solo debut from last year will easily tide over hard core fans and serve as an appetizer of sorts, but we look forward to what the original leaders of the garage rock revival will bless us with next. Sources say it will sound like a mixture of 70’s rock and “music from the future.”

4. BAND OF HORSES: NIGHT RAINBOWS
(TBA)
Although I think it’s time for these guys to step up to a major label, Sub Pop will keep them for another record and surely capitalize on one of the best live bands around today. My pick for the surprise breakout of the year.

5. GORILLAZ: PLASTIC BEACH
(MARCH)
Lou Reed, Mos Def, Barry Gibb, and Bobby Womack are on board, and band leader Damon says it's the "most pop record" he has ever made. The first single “Stylo” is all the proof you need to become a believer; now streaming on the band’s official site. www.gorillaz.com

6. PETER GABRIEL: SCRATCH MY BACK
(FEBRUARY 15)
Gabriel's first album in seven years is a Bob Ezrin-produced orchestral covers collection featuring reinterpretations of Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Elbow, the Kinks, Talking Heads, Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Neil Young. A cornucopia of hip-ness topped with a dollop of classic rock. 

7. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB: BEAT THE DEVILS TATTOO
(March 9)

BRMC’s fifth studio album (and first on its own Abstract Dragon label) welcomes new drummer Leah Shapiro, from The Raveonettes. The leaders of the neo-psychedelia movement look to finally have a break-out year that is long overdue.

8. BROKEN BELLS: BROKEN BELLS
(Mar. 9)

The newest project from superstar producer Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) finds him teaming up with Shins frontman James Mercer. What does it sound like? Imagine a tripped out time machine traveling through the finest decades of rock with a final destination being the year 2010. Couple that with atmospheric soundscapes and stunning production and you have an indie rock sensation waiting to be discovered. Hear the first single here. Prediction: There is a track on this album called "The Ghost Inside" that will be the breakthrough genre crossing MGMT-ish smash.

9. COLDPLAY

(TBA)

Album number five for the band is being recorded in a North London church with Brian Eno once again producing. It looks to be released sometime during 2010 and is expected to be more stripped down than previous efforts. Be careful Chris Martin, any more stripped down and you would just be a generic version of U2. If anything, they should be expanding or going back to their first album (see Interpol).

10. DEVO: FRESH
(April)

After a 20 year hiatus, the band that writes songs about pro-information, anti-stupidity, and the human condition return. I thought they should have capitalized on reintroducing their classic hit through a Swiffer commercial and then announce a new album. I mean isn’t that their target audience?

11. U2: SONGS OF ASCENT
(Summer)

The latest album for the veteran band is rumored to include songs originally written for 2008’s No Line on the Horizon. There are reports of 72 that did not fit into that album’s tone. If the band has 72 songs as leftovers, I don’t think tone is their biggest issue. Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois are expected to return as producers.

12. ANTHRAX: WORSHIP MUSIC

(Summer)

After being pushed back from 2008 to 2009, the band had Worship Music ready to go, but then vocalist Dan Nelson left the band. It looks like former vocalist John Bush will be rejoining Anthrax and doing the next tour. My advice, just put the thing out already, it’s not like you’re winning any new fans. Anticipation can get old, just like the fans.

13. OUTKAST

(TBA)
This could be a huge year for fans. Both Big Boi and Andre 3000  plan to release solo records of their own, as well as a new Outkast record. Although no one really knows what to expect, we can be sure they will continue to push the boundaries of the genre.

14. BEASTIE BOYS: HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PT.. 1
Originally slated for 2009, the album was delayed due to Adam Yauch aka MCA's illness due to a small cancerous tumor in his salivary gland. With Yauch in recovery, the Beastie Boys are set to return with their eighth studio release that will be a combination of heavy-sample raps and hardcore-punk tracks.

15. SADE: SOLDIER OF LOVE

(February 9)

If you plan on conceiving a child, you may want to wait until February 9 and use this as the soundtrack. Her first album in ten years is a modern soul masterpiece and the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your girlfriend, wife, mother, you get the picture. Bring this record home and, well; hit a homerun, for lack of a better term. Stream the first single and see the video here. 

Also rumored this year: Blink 182, Guster, Bad Religion, Bangels (Produced by Matthew Sweet), David Bowie, The Cult, Faith No More, Filter, Helmet, Courtney Love, Monster Magnet, The Offspring, Ozzy, Liz Phair, The Postal Service, Primus, Queens of the Stone Age, Rush, Social Distortion, Tool, Amy Whinehouse, ZZ Top (Produced by Rick Rubin)  

What records are you most looking forward to in 2010. Please share you comments below. 

Anarchy Sounds Good To Me: Punk Rock 101

Top Punk Albums of All Time

Emerging as a new musical movement in the mid 1970’s, Punk Rock was a revolt against the perceived excess of mainstream 70’s rock.

It is characterized by short, fast, aggressive songs with basic instrumentation and messages of anarchy and other revolutionary activity. It is a genre that bolstered an entire sub-culture of youthful rebellion, distinctive clothing, and an attitude of do-it-yourself.

1. The Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks - Released in 1977, it is the only “official” album recorded by this legendary band in their brilliant, but short lived career. This is the essential punk rock album and surely paved the way and laid a blueprint for others to follow.

2. The Clash - London Calling - The band’s commercial breakthrough represented a change in The Clash's musical style and featured elements of ska, pop, soul, rockabilly and reggae music.

3. Ramones - Self Titled - Recorded quickly and cheaply; seven days on a budget of $6,200 resulting in 29 minutes of now legendary music.

4. Refused - The Shape Of Punk To Come - Final album from this Swedish hardcore punk band that challenged all of the pop punk that was popular at the time. Put on your seatbelt because this record is brutal.

5. The Misfits - Walk Among Us - Combining Danzig’s harmonic vocals with horror imagery and lyrics, backed by fast thrashing rhythms, we have 13 punk rock treasures.

6. Social Distortion - Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell - Mike Ness and company combine country and rockabilly styles with punk and crank out a magnum opus.

7. Black Flag - Damaged - This classic is credited for the birth of California hard core.

8. Warrior Soul - The Space Age Playboys - Kory Clark’s brilliant poetic rants with a backdrop of punk tinged buzz tone created a fresh new sound, dubbed Acid Punk

9. Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables - The American version of The Sex Pistols held nothing sacred as they attacked religion and politics with animosity and a hint of sarcasm.

10. The Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible - The guitar player/ lyricist mysteriously disappeared after the release of this monumental album and has yet to be found. Now THAT’S PUNK ROCK!

Our Lady Peace Burn Burn Ever So Brightly

Our Lady Peace Begin Again and Burn Burn Ever So Brightly




     Our Lady Peace returns in true form with their latest studio album Burn Burn. The Canadian foursome best known for their signature alt-rock classics such as “Naveed”, “Superman’s Dead”, and “Clumsy” have always been on the cutting edge of modern rock and continue to be. Selling over 5 million albums to date worldwide, the band is stronger than ever before with a new “do it yourself” attitude and no one to answer to but themselves and their fans. I had a chance to catch up with vocalist and co-founder Raine Maida before a show in Kansas City for a chat about all things Our Lady Peace, past and present.
The band began working on Burn Burn, their seventh studio album, in February 2007, completing it in March 2009. Maida solely produced the album, and it was released in North America on July 21, 2009. The band had parted ways with its longtime major label partner and had complete control on this project. “We just went with our gut, because we didn’t have anyone telling us no”, says Maida. “We just love writing and playing these songs, so basically that’s what we went with. It felt like this handful of songs is where the band was at that moment. We really tried to record most of the record live off the floor and that gives it a little bit different energy than we’ve had on the last couple of records.” Burn Burn comes across as a very guitar driven record. “Steve’s guitar playing on this record is phenomenal,” explains Maida. “All of the solos and most of the really out there guitar stuff is all live during the recording of the song. There are guitar solos in lots of the songs, and we really haven’t had that in a long time.”

     The first single “All You Did Was Save My Life” is a perfect opening cut on the album, making a sort of musical statement that says the band is back in the saddle. It is also a sort of anthem for the band. “There are a lot of parallels on this record. The title Burn Burn comes from a Jack Kerouac quote,” explains Maida. “It’s about rebirth, it’s about liberation, and it’s about floating above the status quo. I think “All You Did Was Save My Life”, “Paper Moon”, and “The End is Where We Begin”, are all about that. About us getting ownership of our masters back, making a record on our own terms, and really feeling like we are taking control of our life again as a band. It’s an amazing place to be. In a way, whatever’s happened in the past has saved us, we tend not to look at things too negatively and just try to learn from it and move on. The place that we found ourselves together, in a sense, saved the band.”

     Another stand out track on the record is the hauntingly atmospheric and epic last song “Paper Moon”. “We play it in the set every night, it’s just amazing how it connects live with people,” says Maida. “When you have a song that people may not know from the record or have never heard and it connects, it’s such a pleasure to play.” Speaking of connecting with the audience, many times the crowd will take over singing familiar favorites at the live shows. “It’s humbling; I mean last night I don’t know if I sang a word to “4am”, explains Maida. “I just let the audience sing it all. It’s one of those things, the connection we have with our fans, and I never take it for granted.”

     I took the opportunity to ask Raine what he has been listening to lately. He responds, “Manchester Orchestra, Bonnie Prince Billie, and I really dig the latest Jay-Z record, I think that stuff is amazing.” I also asked if he had a guilty pleasure for any 80’s Hair Metal bands. “There was a four month period where I had that Def Leppard record Pyromania, I think it was my cousin I worked with at the time who left the tape in our truck and I listened to that for a little while. There was something really cool about it. The songs were so well crafted, it was produced so well, and the way Mutt Lange does records I knew it was good.”
Our Lady Peace continues to tour in support of Burn Burn and currently have a new single out “The End Is Where We Begin”. Maida also mentions that new material is already in the works. “We are talking about the next record already and the new stuff is going to be full on guns blazing.” Maida also mentions the band is in a very good spot mentally and physically. “Just the four of us on stage being able to really take ownership of the songs and enjoy them. It feels very powerful to us. I don’t think the band has ever been better live, not even close. “
http://www.ourladypeace.net/

Guns N' Roses Riot in St. Louis, MO - The Irony of Participating In A Heavy Metal Riot

     It was July 2, 1991, just two weeks before my 17th birthday. I was at Riverport Amphitheater in Maryland Heights, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. Skid Row had just finished an amazing set as they were touring in support of their number one charting masterpiece Slave to the Grind. My high school buddy and I had the absolute worst seats in the house that evening as our backs were literally against the fence in the lawn section. The place was packed and we eagerly awaited the headliner, Guns N Roses. The band took the stage that warm summer night and truly put on a show worthy of the band's bad boy reputation. These guys were the real deal rock and roll band and at the top of their game at this point of their short but infamous career. The show started off fantastic and everything was going fine until lead singer Axl Rose went a bit haywire. During their performance of “Rocket Queen,” the 15th song in the set (including drum and guitar solos), Axl jumped into the audience and tackled a fan who was taking pictures. This occurred after Axl had pointed out the fan, told security to confiscate the camera, and waited a mere five seconds before deciding to dive into the audience and take the camera himself. During his attempt, he inadvertently struck members of the audience and security. After being pulled from the audience by members of his crew, Rose said: “Well, thanks to the lame-ass security, I'm going home!”, and then slammed his microphone on the ground and left the stage. The sound the microphone made was like a gunshot. Slash quickly jumped on a mic and said to the audience, "He just slammed his mic on the floor. We're outta here." Shortly thereafter, the angry crowd began to riot.
     I remember clearly as the chaos took over the entire venue. We ran up to the seats in order to get a better look at what was happening. We saw fans who bum-rushed the stage then running off with guitar amps, drums, and lights; pretty much anything they could grab. The venue security began spraying a fire hose on the crowd in an attempt to keep them back. A few minutes later, said fire hose passed right over my head as the rioting fans overtook the under-prepared house authority. At this point my friend looks at me and says "We gotta take something". I think he is joking, as we are in the midst of a full blown riot,  but then I witness him begin kicking the metal chairs bolted to the cement in an attempt to rip them from their very foundation. As an entire row comes loose, I grab one end and we begin running. As we make our escape, we saw numerous disturbing incidents. Fans were overwhelming the merchandise booths grabbing stacks of T-shirts while others took aim at the now unattended bars stealing full bottles of liquor turning them into Molotov cocktails. It was a pretty scary scene to witness firsthand, but kind of exciting at the same time. We took our souvenir row of chairs and put it in the back of his mom's station wagon as if we were loading a torpedo into a submarine chamber for firing. During our escape we found ourselves picking up a few refugee fans asking us for a ride and then made a break for the gate throwing a blanket over our prize to get past the cops checking cars as they left. We got home late that night safely and each took a part of the row of chairs we had seized. It was the ultimate fan piece of the evening; I mean we each had a part of what would later be called “the worst mess in St. Louis rock history.” Fast forward three days to Friday July 5, 1991........
    My friend and I return to the Riverport Amphitheater for the Warrant concert we were both eagerly anticipating. As we walked to our seats joking about the craziness that ensued just a few days earlier, we noticed that not all of the seats that had been damaged in the riot had been replaced yet. We arrive at our designated seats, tickets in hand, and realize that exactly three days prior we had stolen the exact row of chairs we were to be sitting in that very evening. That my friend is the irony of participating in a heavy metal riot.


David Surkamp called the melee “the worst mess in St. Louis rock history” in this review dated July 4, 1991.

My ticket to the Warrant concert exactly three days after the riot for a seat that ironically was not there.

The souviner: The end arm rest of row KK.

     The footage was captured by Robert John, who was documenting the entire tour for the band. Rose was charged with having incited the riot, but police were unable to arrest him until almost a year later, as the band went overseas to continue the tour. Charges were filed against Rose but a judge ruled that he did not directly incite the riot.

     Rose later stated that the Guns N' Roses security team had made four separate requests to the venue's security staff to remove the camera, all of which were ignored, that other members of the band had reported being hit by bottles from the audience and that the venue's security had been lax, allowing weapons into the arena and refusing to enforce a drinking limit. Consequently, Use Your Illusion I and II's artwork featured a hidden message amidst the Thank You section of the album insert: "Fuck You, St. Louis!"

Making the Perfect Playlist Aphrodisiac: Get Her in the Mood

20 Songs To Get Her In The Mood: Making the perfect playlist aphrodisiac

     So we can all relate back to the scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High when Damone is schooling Rat on what to play on his big date with Stacy. This is pretty much the same idea but updated for the times. No longer can you put on side two of Led Zeppelin IV (which actually turns out to be Kashmir from “Physical Graffiti” in the movie) and get what you are truly after. With today’s technology and a little imagination you can put together a custom compilation in which the songs are strategically placed in order to give you the upper hand in setting the mood. You need a soundscape to let your date know you’re hip and cool without coming across too niche-based in your choices. You want to have a perfect mix of classics and modern hits, as well as some obscure hipster tunes that she may not be familiar with but will definitely be peak her curiosity. It also makes a great conversation starter and eases the first date uncomfortable silence if it rears its ugly head. Now this is a list of suggested tracks that have a proven track record of success. There are many standards that I could have mentioned below but I chose to keep this more of a modern mix to keep things interesting. With that being said don’t get the wrong idea and pick up your date with “I Want Your Sex” from George Michael blaring outright, although this is good for the second date. So without further ado, check out the following, have fun and close the deal.

Sade – “No Ordinary Love” – If you cannot get some with this track on please do not continue with the list.

Enigma – “Principles of Lust/Sadness Part 1”  - A true classic that is just as effective today as it was in high school and college.

Morcheeba –“The Sea” – Smooth Trip Hop that is obscure but loved by many.

Jeff Buckley – “Last Goodbye” – All women love Jeff Buckley period.

Nine Inch Nails – "Get Down Make Love" – A very rare cover of the genius song originally written by Queen, this track is amazing and can only be found on the B-side to the Nine Inch Nails “Sin” CD single. Well worth the trouble, I assure you.

D’Angelo – “Brown Sugar” – Smooth R&B from the guy who at one time could take any woman on earth.

James Brown - “Sex Machine” – Make sure you put this one in the middle of the playlist for optimal results.

Jeff Buckley – “Everybody Hear Wants You” – Mr. Buckley appears on this list twice as his songs will always swoon the ladies.

Marvin Gaye – “Let’s Get It On”– A true classic that gets right to the point nonchalantly.

Coldplay – “Yellow”– Chris Martin hypnotizes with this track.

Justin Timberlake – “My Love”– Use caution and be ready for immediate results with this one.

Family Force Five – “Fever” – Dance rock at it’s finest. Women love this track the very first time they hear it. Like Marilyn Mason crossed with Justin Timberlake.

Journey – "Faithfully" – This is a given; everyone loves Journey. Non intentional emotional bonus, it shows your sensitive side.  

INXS – “Need You Tonight”– Michael Hutchence is Bono with much more sex appeal.

Prince – “Darling Nikki” – Banned in some countries, celebrated in others.

Maxwell – “Everwanting: To Want You To Want” – This was recommended as the ultimate mood setter – panties should be off in seven minutes or less.

Does It Offend You Yeah? – “Let’s Make Out” – Upbeat electro clash dance rock that will definitely get the party started after a few drinks.

The Dandy Warhols – “Mohammad”– Hauntingly atmospheric and just a stunning piece of work that moves the needle.

Robbie Draco Rosa – “Lie Without A Lover” – This guy is the Spanish equivalent of Justin Timberlake.

Sounds Under Radio – “Portrait of a Summer Thief” – I have personally seen the effect this stellar piece of work has on women. It floors them, literally.

The Ultimate Heavy Metal Halloween Playlist

     Making a play list for your Halloween party can be quite the undertaking. I have painstakingly searched the depths of hell to find the most evil music possible without having to turn to the mutilated goat heads and pigs blood characteristics of Swedish Black Metal. If Satan has an Ipod, I can guarantee you that these songs are on it. But beware, play these songs at your own risk, as demons have been known to fly out of speakers blasting this witches brew of sonic evilness.

Slayer - “Dead Skin Mask” - Inspired by Ed Gein who allegedly exhumed corpses from local graveyards and fashioned trophies and keepsakes from their bones and skin. Evil Factor - 9

Rob Zombie - “Dragula” - The modern day Alice Cooper. Evil Factor -7

Gwar - “Slaughterama” - Raunchy, obscene, taboo, and Grammy nominated. Evil Factor - 4

Fastway - “Trick Or Treat” - Great soundtrack to an awful movie starring “Skippy” from Family Ties and a devil worshipping fictitious rock star named Sammi Curr. Evil Factor - 3

Megadeth - “Wake Up Dead” - The song is mostly instrumental, and is about singer Dave Mustaine fearing revenge from his girlfriend after he cheats on her. Frightening indeed. Evil Factor - 8

Pantera - “Cemetery Gates” - Texas groove metal goes good with apple cider or Jagermeister. Evil Factor - 6

Ozzy Osbourne - “Bark At The Moon” - Was it Ozzy’s idea to dress up in that ridiculous wolf man costume in the video? Probably. Evil Factor - 6

Danzig - “Devils Plaything” - Glen Danzig my be the devil re-incarnated. Evil Factor - 10

Misfits - "Halloween" - Danzig represents again in the band that created "Horror Punk". Evil Factore - 8

Marilyn Manson - “This Is Halloween” - Forget what I said about Danzig; Marilyn Manson is the devil. A great interpretation from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Evil Factor - 10

Black Sabbath - “Children of the Grave” - The soundtrack to creepy graveyards across the world. Evil Factor - 10

Helloween - “Halloween” - German pioneering power metal band sings about their favorite holiday besides Oktoberfest. Evil Factor - 6

Iron Maiden - “The Number of the Beast” - Michael Jackson had Vincent Price do spoken-word spookiness on 1982's "Thriller." Iron Maiden couldn't afford Price so they hired some guy to speak like Price for the intro to this evil gem. Evil Factor - 9

W.A.S.P. - “Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)” - Blackie Lawless opus based on a short story by Edgar Allan Poe. Evil Factor - 8

Metallica - “Last Caress/ Green Hell” - It only took a few choice lyrics to offend every person on the planet with this song, clearly a high point for the band. Evil Factor - 9

King Diamond - “Halloween” - Although he is not really a king at all, he does have a loyal following of face-painting metal heads. Evil Factor - 8

Judas Priest - “Painkiller” - The Painkiller is described as a metal messiah sent to the world to destroy evil and rescue mankind from destruction. And no I am not making this sh*t up. Evil Factor - 8

Alice Cooper - “Keepin’ Halloween Alive” - The king of all things Halloween delivers a new song for the holiday. Evil Factor - 7

Motley Crue - “Shout At The Devil” - This whole album scared the sh*t out of me when I was a kid. Evil Factor - 9

Tinted Windows: Your New Favorite Rock SuperGroup - By Jason A Miller

Tinted Windows - Your New Favorite Supergroup.
By Jason A. Miller

      Tinted Windows is not your ordinary rock super group. An all-start band, the ensemble consists of guitarist James Iha, previously of The Smashing Pumpkins, singer Taylor Hanson of Hanson, bassist Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and Ivy, and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick. Their self-titled release is clearly this year’s finest example of the lost art of Power Pop; bringing back the days when Cheap Trick and Elvis Costello ruled the airwaves and sold out arenas. I was lucky enough to catch the band before one of their shows, which can be quite a challenge to pull together with the members’ busy schedules. “We have a master calendar and when there’s an empty spot, here we are” says drummer Bun E. Carlos who had the day off from his current Cheap Trick / Def Leppard/ Poison tour.

      When asked how the band came together, James Iha chimes in, “I know Adam because Smashing Pumpkins and Fountains of Wayne toured together in ‘97 and that was right around the time Taylor’s band was releasing their first record.” Turning to Bun E, he says, “We played shows together, right?” Bun E replies casually, “Yeah, we opened for you guys in ‘95.” James immediately responds lightheartedly, “Man, we should have opened for you.”

      Tracks such as the first single “Kind Of Girl,” the stunningly gorgeous “Back With You,” and the undeniably catchy “Messing With My Head” are songs that only a certain breed of musician can write and come around only when the Power Pop stars are perfectly aligned. They are nestled into a record of pure Pop Rock genius. Like Cheap Trick with their masterpiece In Color in 1979, Tinted Windows have crafted a true gem in every sense. After singing a line from the song “Nothing To Me” in my best A cappella karaoke voice, James jokingly asks if I want to sing. Adam offers up “Taylor actually wrote that song in the studio while we were working on overdubs. He just went to the piano for a couple of hours and came out and said, ‘Check this out.’ “

      I asked what it’s like to play with Bun E. Adam answers first, “It kind of freaks me out sometimes when I turn around and realize that he’s the drummer in this band. I can’t look back too much or I get nervous.” Bun E follows up, “That door swings both ways. I mean, there’s a great guitar player and it’s not Rick, a killer bass player, it’s not Tom, and a killer singer that’s not Robin. It’s like, Whoa!” Adam replies, “Cheap Trick was definitely a big influence. That’s part of the reason we called Bun E to begin with.” Taylor chimes in, “Before we thought Bun E would even go for it, we said ‘We need a drummer that has that Bun E Carlos sound, maybe Bun E would be into it.’”

      Curious to know what these guys currently listen to, I ask what’s on their playlists. Bun E sits up and pulls music reviews from his wallet, clipped from magazines. “I have a shopping list. I carry this stuff around with me. Imogene Heap, I saw her on Late Night.” Adam adds, “I just got the new Brendan Benson record that I like.” Without hesitation, Taylor quips, “Chester French, Fleet Foxes, I like the new Wilco record.” James, who has been constantly cracking jokes throughout the interview in the style of Steven Wright, says, “I can’t think of anything new but I did just download a bunch of old Elvis Costello tracks.”

      Is there going to be another Tinted Windows record? Adam replies, “I would love to do another record, I mean I hope we do. It might be a little while since we might be moving into a Hanson album cycle and a new Fountains of Wayne next year. James has a solo record (to be released next year). At least for me, now that we have a sense of what the band is, it might be easier to keep writing for it and maybe we will find some time to do another record.” James sarcastically replies, “We might do a Christmas record.”

www.myspace.com/tintedwindows