Tinted Windows, the generation-spanning act that brought together members of Hanson, Fountains of Wayne, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Cheap Trick for cheery tunes and maximum bloggability, had their debut album come out yesterday. Eric “Professor” Harvey came up with a fun parlor game in honor of what he’s calling the self-titled record’s “astonishing competence”–namely, what would your dream version of such a powerpop Voltron look like? The formula, and my attempt to solve for “x,” after the jump.
1. Redeemable former boy-band member from the late 90s
2. Sideman from influential 90s alt-rock band
3. Reliable jingle factory who does movie scores and stuff but who’s had a big hit
4. Sorta-unknown component to legendary power-pop group
I would say that Bun E. Carlos wasn’t really “sorta-unknown,” but anyway. Here’s mine!
1. JC Chasez, for the same reason as Eric:
(I know five-minute mini-epics are a tough sell in the callout-research-dominated world of pop radio, but man, this song got so jobbed.)
2. Josephine Wiggs, because she is a bad-ass (and we need some ladies up in this)
3. Stephin Merritt, who may not have had a big hit but who is big enough to get Twitter-dropped by Trent Reznor
4. Andy Sturmer, because a post like this has to have a Jellyfish reference (plus someone who could play drums would help)
The songs would probably be very ornate and emotional, with a kick in everyone’s collective pants provided by Wiggs every so often–but is that a bad thing?
The Tinted Windows Album Is Astonishingly Competent [marathonpacks]
Tinted Windows “Kind of a Girl” [MySpace]
Tinted Windows [MySpace]
A Merritt-Sturmer collaboration is beyond my wildest dreams.
hmm. Seems to be missing a Bosstone…
1. Nick Carter (showing some BSB love)
2. Brad Wilk (they need a drummer, right?)
3. Rob Thomas (Hasn’t done movie scores but is a consistent hitmaker)
4. Andy Summers (one of the first names that came to mind, simply because I couldn’t remember his name)
I prefer to cook up the WORST possible group I could think:
1. Donnie Wahlberg
2. Pat Smear
3. Phil Collins
4. Michael Anthony
In the Britpop category:
1. Marc Owen
2. Bernard Butler
3. Karl Wallinger
4. Dave Rowntree
I’m so good at this game I can do it with just guys named Jon:
1. Jonathan Knight
2. Jon Wurster
3. Jon Brion
4. Jon Auer
Actually my first choice for 1. was Jesse McCartney, or maybe someone else from NKOTB, but once all the other Jons fell into place I decided to complete the theme.
Or, worst case scenario:
1. Victoria Beckham
2. Bez
3. Norman Cook
4. Tony McCarroll
@TheRunningboard7: Wow, I feel ill.
@Thierry
Ha Bez!
1. Melissa Schuman (Dream)
2. Matt Sharp (and we were just talking about him!)
3. Dan Wilson
4. Mike Zelenko (Material Issue)
. . .I loved Semisonic, but looking at this lineup I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be better replacing Dan Wilson with someone a little less polished.
@Thierry: LOL — Bez for the win. Just picturing him flailing about onstage is making me ROTF.
@TheRunningboard7 Worst? More like the best!
1. Abs Breen from 5 (Because I don’t care what you say, When The Lights Go Out was the best hit of that era.)
2. Candida Doyle
3. Damon Albarn
4. John Wicks from the Records
1. I would also choose JC Chasez, but Chris Kirkpatrick would do as well
2. Flea
3. Alanis Morrisette, because why not
4. Scott Johnson (Gin Blossoms count, right?)