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<p class="rteleft"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/hiddenpicturesmusic">Hidden Pictures</a> is the kind of band you want to take home to your mother. The group's songs conjure up the image of a clean-shaven face with a well-coiffed 'do and a winning smile. It's the guy that holds the door for you, buys you flowers, and will patiently wait for you to put on your makeup. It doesn't even care that you might not wear makeup. It's got the sweet-talking charm of Eddie Haskell and the classic looks of Don Draper all rolled up into one fantastic album, entitled <i>Rainbow Records</i>.</p>
<p class="rteleft">Part of what makes this LP so sweet and accessible is the vocal interplay between Richard Gintowt and Michelle Sanders. The two have collaborated since OK Jones in 2008, and seem to have hit their stride with Hidden Pictures. Gintowt and Sanders display a melodic and harmonic chemistry in their voices -- it's as though we're listening in on a polite, pleasant conversation in each song. Gintowt has one of the most amiable, accessible voices in the KC music scene, and Sanders does nothing but enhance this delightful, adorable quality.</p>
<p class="rteleft">But <i>Rainbow Records </i>would be nothing without Erik Voeks' and Corey Vitt's (who took over for Voeks and plays on two of the album's tracks) bouncing bass lines that mix as well with Cameron Hawk's monstrous drum fills as Gintowt's and Sanders' voices mesh. Nate Holt maintains each song's electronic presence without being too heavy-handed, which seems to be the key to making this group look as good as it does. Each musician knows how to play dynamically and when to back off and give another instrument a turn for the sake of the song.</p>
<p class="rteleft">It's no secret why this 5-piece has been signed to Kansas City's <a href="http://goldensoundrecords.com">Golden Sound Records</a> -- this sophomore LP dwarfs all of Hidden Pictures' efforts in sound quality, musicianship, and superior lyrical writing, which has matured since its more tongue-in-cheek infancy. It's the perfect roll-the-windows-down, feel-good summer record. <i>Rainbow Records </i>shows us a band that has seem some changes, but has maintained and grown into a stronger sense of self. This is the kind of growth you expect to see from a band you enjoy and want to continue enjoying for many more records to come.</p>
<p class="rteleft"><i>--Michelle Bacon</i></p>
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