I can't help but feel great when I listen to these kinds of records, and after doing so I feel that New Age may have come a couple decades too early. Now with the New Age and 80s rock in full revival, the music we might have once shunned becomes something fresh and desirable. Hooray for post modernism! Every Move A Picture push all the right buttons in shifting themselves onto tracks which will carry them right through to exciting successes.



If you have been listening to the radio recently then you may have heard the catchy and somehow heart-felt single "Signs of Life". Its simplicity in lyrics and effective merging of electronica and rock create a punchy and powerful pop tune while not sacrificing the integrity of the band to incite an emotional response. If you are wondering who is behind that space-aged single then here's the scoop; Brent Messenger is the singer and guitarist, Joey Fredrick the bass player, Dan Aquino the drummer, and Allen Davis keyboardist and guitarist as well. The band has quite a history. First Joey Fredrick and Brent Messenger were childhood friends, then they teamed up with Dan but still their sound was empty. Finally, through the Craigslist classifieds they met Allen and voila, Every Move a Picture was complete.



What's most appealing about the group is their ability to appropriate the music of their influences while still remaining inventive and relevant to the constant changes arising in our world nowadays. Everything seems crackling and fizzing with electricity on their album "Heart=Weapon"; even Messenger's voice carries the lyrics clearly and with stratospheric emotion, as if he might be being electrocuted by the very music he is creating. The sound isn't only very fun to listen to but it seems like it has something going on beneath it, as though all the darkness from the world is being filtered out and diverted, so all that remains is the light and happy; yet you know that it's been there and come back alive.



The first song "Mission Bell" is a subtle and yet sublime political song with an open and accessible melody. Messenger's voice is inviting and conveys a great hopeful message using the bell as the sign of freedom, much the same way that Dylan used chimes to purge his optimism. Messenger sings "Get your hands off me" in a strangely innocent way; not in a defiant and obnoxious punk way but in an "I have my rights and I won't let you take them away from me" way. The band plays perfectly as a unit and each allow the others ample room to make the songs catchy and poignant compositions. No member is screaming for attention. Even Messenger has the air of modesty that makes it easy to accept his tormented vocals.



"Signs of Life" is the afforementioned single, an interesting song with a political edge that remains upbeat and very danceable. People can take whatever message they like from the chorus "Show some signs of life" but the lyrics "Governments can't fight what's inside" seals the deal for me. It's a fight the power and raise your fist anthem for a completely new generation. The only thing which slightly detracts from the song is the constant pummeling of catchy and upbeat rhythms and guitar work; perhaps it's not quite dark enough for me. This allows it to deepen its accessibility though, which is always necessary for a powerful message.



The band remains in the same mold for much of the album, leveling out strong and catchy songs with great vocal thrust to them, but doesn't relay a variety of songs except for "On The Edge Something Beautiful (At 12AM)" and "St. John's Night". The first is a much more solemn song imitating the hopeless affection and desire Messenger feels for love at 12AM. The song is a little deeper and requires more than a first listen to appreciate but the strained vocals of Messenger and rattling guitar and ominous keyboards, mingling with a pounding bass and infectious beat, make it something a little different than the rest of the album.



"St. John's Night" has a very spaced out and futuristic sound, ringing more true to the slower and more thoughtful songs by The Strokes than the previous fare of "Heart=Weapon". Messenger sounds like an apparition risen from the dead to make a confession, or one who has never left this earth. His pain is palpable. Davis's keyboard work is what really lets this song carry its own gravity though, and coupled with the rest of the band backing Messenger, the song nearly floats in the mind.



It's not like you haven't heard something like these guys before and it's not as if you will immediately attach yourself to this album, but the songs and the band are more interesting than 3/4 of the stuff out now. Every Move A Picture still have yet to prove their longevity but I wouldn't be surprised if it comes quite easily. Check these cats out.



Track Listing

1 Mission Bell

2 Signs Of Life

3 Best Is On The Outside

4 Chemical Burns

5 Outlaw

6 Dust

7 Simple Lessons In Love And Secession

8 On The Edge Of Something Beautiful (At 12am)

9 Dixie

10 St John's Night