Tinted Windows Would Like You to Take Them Seriously
Last Monday, the power-pop super group known as Tinted Windows took the Mercury Lounge stage for the first time ever. If you haven't heard, the group consists of Taylor Hanson, James Iha, Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, and they released an album this week. Despite your skepticism, they are a remarkably competent group, who appear to have every desire to shake the gimmick status and establish themselves as a legitimate band. The show on Monday, along with late night TV appearances this week and some SXSW sets, were certainly steps in the right direction. The music is catchy and lighthearted, but performed with a genuine joy and self respect, rather than coming off as some sort of half-baked cash grab at their own expense. They have household names and faces that surely helped get them a break in the first place, but this seems much more of an attempt to turn the page on their pasts, rather than stretch their faded stars a bit longer. Their music might not click for everyone, but nobody should discount the attempt. They are for real.
Summerstage Schedule Released
As if this coming heat wave wasn't enough of a sign that the Winter is mostly behind us, the Central Park Summerstage lineup has now been officially announced. While some of the shows had already been announced, the rest of the calendar is now filled out though mid-August. As always, there is a mix of free and benefit shows, featuring bigger artists, whose ticket sales help pay for the rest of the run. This year there will be a scattered selection of pay shows, including Explosions in the Sky, The Indigo Girls, 311, and TV on the Radio. The free shows will kick off with Josh Ritter and the New York Pops, and continue with several shows a week, including Q Tip, M. Ward, and dozens of other acts. For the full listing, check out the Summerstage website.
