It's hard to believe that a rock and pop outfit like Tinted Windows didn't get more attention when they formed in 2009. The group consisted of members from hit-making bands Hanson (vocalist Taylor Hanson), Smashing Pumpkins (bassist James Iha), Fountains of Wayne (guitarist and more Adam Schlesinger), and Cheap Trick (drummer Bun E. Carlos). Tinted Windows ended up releasing only one album (self-titled). If the group is ever revived, it will sadly have to be without Schlesinger, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2020. The record remains a power pop fan's dream, filled with energetic and sunny tunes that have you singing along in no time.
Actress and rock star Courtney Love scored three chart appearances with her band, Hole, in the 90s. Love's life has been peppered with tragedies, including the deaths of her husband Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) and Hole's bassist, Kristen Pfaff, both in 1994 when Hole's breakthrough album arrived. "Doll Parts" hit #58 that year, but the band's follow-up record in 1998 was even more radio-friendly, earning "Celebrity Skin" and "Malibu" spots at #56 and #81, respectively. Both of those singles were co-written with Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. Hole's 1998 record had plenty of other good tunes, including "Boys On The Radio." It's another acoustic-based rocker like "Malibu," and could have had charting potential.
