S-Curve Was Paying Attention (?)

I have to admit, I'd completely forgotten about Velvet Revolver. Around the time the Frontline special aired, Scott Weiland was a mess, his albums weren't any good, and Guns N Roses had gone MIA. So, a super-star collaboration by them was exciting to me as tap-water. It was kind of creepy watching all those mid-30's, early 40's pasty white guys bob their heads slowly and then rock the f*ck out when appropriate. It finally dawned on me why anyone would have let a news crew into a scenario like that: FREE PUBLICITY!!!


I also wondered whatever became of poor Sarah Hudson. By "poor", I mean I know she was aiming for that late-teen, early-20's crowd, but I couldn't shake the image of her playing her little teen angst heart out for groups of soccer moms at some radio festival that couldn't attract a younger crowd if they promised free beer with no ID required. Turns out I was only half-right. S-Curve Records folded shortly after the Frontline special and "Naked Truth" was shelved. Hudson is now playing shows in Europe with a new 80's era re-hash dance band called Ultraviolet Scene.

In 2007, S-Curve was relaunched after the head of the company served as President of Columbia Records. I'm not sure if he learned anything, but the new S-Curve roster consists of alt-pop group Fountains of Wayne, 60's crooner Tom Jones, wanna-be 60's UK blues singer Joss Stone, and the up-and-coming rock sensation Tinted Windows.

What? You've never heard of Tinted Windows? They've got Velvet Revolver beat with not one, two, or three, but FOUR former members of groups gone by. We're talkin' James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, and on vocals Taylor Freakin' Hanson! Check out this promo shot.



How can you not be ready to hear this album? You may not be able to yet, but you can visit their website and hear their first single now! What's it sound like? Imagine if you took Fountains of Wayne/Cheap Trick rock-pop rhythm, Siamese Dream era fuzzed out buzzsaw guitars, and the voice of the oldest member of Hanson. In other words, just like in Velvet Revolver, a total lack of originality and/or creativity!