Neon Trees
Picture Show
Mercury Records
By: Nevra Azerkan
Rating:
Picture Show is the anticipated follow up album to Neon Trees debut album, Habits. Neon Trees continue with their 80s meets indie rock style, but they definitely take it to the next level in this release. While Habits leaned more towards a pop rock feel, Picture Show is an explosive hit of edgy, fun and in-your-face-rock.
“Moving in the Dark” is the right track to start off the album. It is reminiscent of early U2 and Duran Duran, but yet entirely a song of its own accord. “Everybody Talks” is certainly the answer to everyone’s plea for another hit like, “Animal” and it does its job. It’s got that happy-go-lucky sense to it which is one of the reasons why “Animal” and “1983” did so well. It’s also what most people have come to associate with Neon Trees, but as the band and others have mentioned this album had the band exploring different sounds. But not to fear, Tyler Glenn’s vocals continue to impress with that intensity and rawness only he can bring throughout the entire record.
“Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)” features Kaskade and is actually the only song on the record that has a guest appearance. It is one of the standout tracks on Picture Show along with “Moving in the Dark”, “Everybody Talks” and “Still Young”.
The abundance of albums that are now being released with regular versions and deluxe versions is becoming tiresome when it comes down to making a decision. More often than not though, you’ll just want to spend the extra cash for those 2-3 extra tracks because after all they made a deluxe edition just to include them. This is the case with the deluxe edition of Picture Show. You will want to own “Show” and Take Me for a Ride”.
Neon Trees clearly put their hearts and souls into writing and recording this album and what they came up with is something that fans and true music lovers can appreciate. It’s definitely not Habits Part II, so don’t go into it with that mindset. This is the evolution of Neon Trees and it’s quite the ear show.
Track listing: “Moving in the Dark”, “Teenage Sounds”, “Everybody Talks”, “Mad Love”, “Weekend”, “Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night) (with Kaskade), “Trust”, “Close To You”, “Hooray for Hollywood”, “Still Young”, and “I Am the D.J.”. The Deluxe Edition includes three bonus tracks including: “Show”, “Tell Me You Love Me” and “Take Me for a Ride”. The iTunes Deluxe Edition includes all 14 tracks plus “Drop Your Weapon (2007 Demo)”.
