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From The Desk Of James Iha: Pop Songs

jamesihalogo“I don’t think we’re going to threaten the Jonas Brothers,” says James Iha of Tinted Windows‘ self-titled debut, recently released on S-Curve Records. But the power pop generated by the multigenerational band—which also includes Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne), Taylor Hanson (Hanson) and Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick)—is a teenage dream of catchy choruses and withering walls of guitars befitting the former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist. Iha is guest editing magnetmagazine.com all this week; read our Q&A with him to get a glimpse into the formation of Tinted Windows.

dianewarren350Iha: I have become a fan of big, number-one pop hits. When I first explored music as a teenager, I used to think, “Who could possibly listen to this crap—let alone buy it?” But over the years I’ve come to respect and enjoy Max Martin, The Matrix and, of course, Diane Warren (pictured). Who are these names? They are the writers of yesterday’s and today’s biggest hits. Their words are trite, their melodies are massive, their arrangements calculating and cynical, and the performances are overwrought. But somehow, the best pop hits transcend all of this into something magical. Wherever you may travel—Brazil, New Zealand, Orlando—everyone heeds this universal call: “How Do I Live,” “Believe” and “My Life Would Suck Without You.” It’s hard to think of anything more beautiful.

Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You”:
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/MyLifeWouldSuckWithoutYou.mp3