The Moving Pictures consist of Olympia, Washington indie scene regulars Hayes Waring (founder of Perennial Records), Lillian Maring (
Grass Widow), and Charles Waring (
Milk Music). Their debut album,
EMDR, Pts. 1 2 + 3, also includes appearances from a few other members of the Perennial family, including techno artist Katie Alice Greer of
Priests and techno producer D.A. Terence. The collective doesn't come close to sticking with one sound throughout the album's nine tracks, but most of the songs are tense and bleak in some way or another. Following the tentative, abstract opener, "Face Back," "Family Story" is a fuzzy lo-fi electro track with trippy guitars and synths as well as deadpan vocals intoning "Watch them die, and you die too." The track's insistent rhythm and bubbly effects turn it into a black celebration. After a brief a cappella reprise, "Song 81" is a short, raucous garage rock track that abuses the
Wire "Three Girl Rhumba"/
Elastica "Connection" riff, taking it into overdrive before shorting out. "Everything for Baby" is a very long, hypnotic, dark electro track that tests the listener's patience by building up anticipation and never quite releasing. The album seems like it could be exhaustingly grim, but there's a bit of relief with the last few tracks, particularly "Black Car," with its delicious post-punk groove and life-loving lyrics.
EMDR, Pts. 1 2 + 3 is a panic record, but it's also a party record, and
the Moving Pictures express their aggravation in as many ways as possible. ~ Paul Simpson