Ears Wide Open: Moving Picture Show

Kevin Bronson on
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Moving Picture Show’s ranks have thinned since they first turned heads at their gigs by entering the stage by romping through crowds as a marching band. Keyboardist Amy Oliver moved away, leaving singer-guitarist Matt Kap, bassist Jeremy Nesse and new drummer Scott Manley to carry on their ’80s radio-inspired exploits. MPS’s second album “Studies Have Shown …” leans on programming and synths for its sheen (it’s not pejorative for me to say I hear bits of Tears for Fears or Flock of Seagulls), but they are used with restraint in their hooky, 3 1/2-minute dance-friendly blasts. “Games Without Frontiers” is covered here too, but overall the album doesn’t feel homage as much as a quick glance over the shoulder.

||| Download: “Unstoppable Storm”

||| Live: Moving Picture Show performs Thursday at the Viper Room with the Dares and Modern Time Machines.