Missing the good old “MMMbop” days? Well, good news. Taylor Hanson (the one who looked like a really cute girl) is back with his very own supergroup — Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha, Fountains of Wayne-er Adam Schlesinger, and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos. The project is so unapologetically sweet, you’ll get diabetes just thinking about it.
Schlesinger penned the majority of the tunes using Fountain of Wayne’s usual approach — fuzzed out guitars, handclaps, and catchy choruses — which works great for Hanson’s vocals. Hanson himself takes writing credit on just one song, the classic rock-ing “Nothing to Me.” Iha delivers the most interesting track, “Back With You,” a midtempo daydreamer that would make a great Jack’s Mannequin song.
This record may paint-by-numbers power pop, but that’s the point. Pop music doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be fun. Mission accomplished.