In terms of creating an atmosphere, one can hardly fault the multi-instrumental five-piece that is Picturebox. Second Last Row, the lament of a spurned lover conducting stalker-like activities- melancholy yet slightly sinister. Like the whole of the EP it is all dimly lit music venues with "crushed velvet seats" and gothic characters.
The accordion drones and the piano broods whilst vocalist Jamie James croons mournfully. Enter stage left mouth organ and violin lending an almost orchestral feel. But whilst the violin remains tastefully low-key until called upon to wail suitably, the mouth organ is a touch over-done.
Things take a far more music-hall turn in title track Seven Year Bitch- with it's silent-movie piano and Russian-folk violin it is pure melodrama- even featuring a leg-kicking West-End musical section! Moonlight for a Waltz however, is drenched in a more sombre musical tone- layering strings and wind parts to a soothing effect.
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There is certainly something appealing about these songs, but there is also something slightly grating about them. Sometimes they seem too clever for its own good, needlessly pretentious, and yet sometimes they are not clever enough. Lyrically for example there are a number of lazy lines e.g. "your eyes danced across, from crochet to quaver, all those funny black dots" .
Overall though it is still a strong outing- the musical arrangement in particular is at times enthralling. If you like your music dark and calculating, (think Nick Cave for example) then grab a glass of red wine and turn down the lights- this one's for you.
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