Paper Route "Absence"

I really liked the EP so I decided to give the new full length a try. If I did not know these guys were from Nashville, there would be no possible way to discern it from their sound. Since I'm older than many of the current music reviewers out there, I recall the 80's from an adult point of view already involved in the music business, not a kid or pre-teen associating the music with their parents or hormones. This sounds like straight up Euro synth pop, invoking Spandau Ballet, A-Ha, late model ABC, etc.. I swear that Richard Ashcroft sings one of the tracks! If it reminds me of anything current it would be Keane. I had it in the player alongside the Dredg release and it meshed well, though a lighter weight than Dredg. I was drawn in to the unique drum patterns and the overall production of "Absence". i now wish I had caught their tour stop here in town.