ARTIST: Neon Trees
ALBUM: Picture Show
LABEL: Mercury
RELEASE DATE: April 17, 2012
Past to Present
Written by Dan Sinclair
When musical movements seem to be recycled on a yearly basis, it seemed only a matter of time before the ‘80s new wave revolution would spin around again. And just to prove this “newer wave” (nu-wave?) reinstatement was more than just a fad, Neon Trees is back with a new album. Picture Show is the follow up to the hit major-label debut Habits, and while Neon Trees may have rose to fame by touring with big acts such as The Killers and Duran Duran, now they’re here to prove they can hold their own.
Picture Show starts off with “Moving in the Dark,” a solid introduction to Neon Trees’ poppy rock sound. Singer Tyler Glenn belts out the lyrics over the organ sounds rising from the keyboard alongside a peppy, synthetic rock beat, inviting you to move your way to the dance floor to move no matter how dark it is.
Then the album stumbles a bit with the forgettable “Teenage Sounds.” With its verses telling us nothing but what the band is “tired” or “sick of,” it would have been more aptly titled “Average Teenage Poetry.” It’s interesting here that the energetic singer yells, “I’m so tired of everybody trying to be a DJ,” but then by the end of the album, proudly proclaims, “I am the DJ!” Hmm…
But don’t worry, the Trees bounce right back with their first single, “Everybody Talks.” Just like the hit single “Animal” from Habits, it’s fun, poppy and was featured in a TV commercial. Not the best song on the album but certainly the catchiest and most likely to be the one you find yourself singing at random times throughout the day.
“Mad Love” is next, which features backing vocals from drummer Elaine Bradley, but it’s not until track five that Picture Show really hits its stride. “Weekend” features a little more lead guitar, rocks a little more, and shines as the best, most well rounded song on the album. After that, “Lessons in Love” proves to be Neon Trees’ strongest and most positive example of the new wave influence, followed by what can arguably be their most memorable chorus melody in the ultra-funky “Trust.”
Though the album never gets as high as that three-song stretch again, “Close to Me” and the U2-esque “Still Young” come close while the last track, “I am the DJ,” helps echo the dancing theme shouted from “Moving in the Dark.” On the other hand, “Hooray for Hollywood”—with its spoken-word recital of dead celebrities—is a perfect example of why Local H begged all those years ago, “Please no more California songs!”
If you get the deluxe version you’ll also get four more tracks highlighted by the familiar and mellow “Take Me for a Ride” and the demo version of a rare, heavier song called “Drop Your Weapon,” which sounds nothing like any other Neon Trees you’ve heard thus far.
Not sure whether the “picture show” running in your head while listening to Neon Trees’ Picture Show will feature Polaroids of the happiest moments of your youth dancing to cassette tapes in your parents’ basement or just jpegs of pretentious hipsters sipping PBR’s while slightly bopping their heads to the beats, but either way, this second album is valiant follow-up to Habits and definitely worth a listen.