Low Vs. Diamond has explored a couple of musical permutations since the principle members first met as students seven years at the University of Colorado. And keyboardist Tad Moore still misses one of them -- a little, at least.

"We were definitely more prog-rock before," says Moore, 27. "We had eight-minute songs, arrangements two or three bridges, much more keyboard-heavy. And I'm the keyboard player, so it was a great job for me."

But Moore fully understands the now Los Angeles-based quintet's decision to switch to a more direct pop- and New Wave- approach featured on Low Vs. Diamond's self-titled debut, which came out in April.

"It wasn't that we [i]wanted[/i] to change our sound," Moore notes, "but we couldn't really get what we were playing out to a lot of people. It was more of a niche thing. So this is a lot of fun; I liked that prog thing, but I'm more excited listening to the stuff now."



Low Vs. Diamond, Barcelona and Paper Route perform Wednesday (Nov. 19) at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Call (313) 833-9700 or visit www.majesticdetroit.com.