Lakes - Photographs [EP]
Release Date: September 5, 2006
Record Label: The Militia Group
Photographs is a warm and inviting debut from Seth Roberts (ex-Watashi Wa) and Lakes. Roberts has written a straightforward collection of songs that are as much a clean-cut introduction to the band as they are the foundation of what should be a bountiful career with Lakes, who recently signed with The Militia Group. Nothing from TMG yet this year had blown me away, but Photographs is a fantastically arranged, intimate album with five beautiful songs.
“Indian Lover,” driven by mid-tempo acoustic guitar strumming, is entertaining, memorable, and inspiring. The combination of Seth Roberts’ clean-cut vocals, acoustic guitar, thick piano accompaniment, and Jonathan Russo’s crash-heavy drumming produces a love song sure to find its way into your heart. “Love or Gain” is a throbbing, pulsating story of tolerance and affection whose frothy rock sound walks a tightrope somewhere between Copeland and Pedro the Lion. Reflection and hope are the dual saber that Seth Roberts wields with “Photographs,” a delightful midway point for this EP. The title track does not experiment much musically, instead focusing on its heartfelt lyrics and silky vocals. Before anyone asks “where’s the beef?” the band comes back with “Latersss.” Nothing particularly new, but the song is still just as satisfying as the rest. After the stripped-down track preceding it, I wish they had played with the effects a bit more to give the song more of an ambience to it, but it is still solid and laden with striking imagery. "White Flag" is my personal favorite song on the EP because of its far-reaching sentimental value. Lyrically, it is effortless to sympathize with Roberts’ frustration and eventual realization that we need to accept things for what they are. All of us have been in his position at some point in our lives. “White Flag” is a tantalizingly perfect closer to a fantastic EP.
With the year more than half-over, Photographs will go down as possibly my favorite EP of the year, and among my favorite releases in any format for 2006. This one is recommended for the mellow, hopeless romantics out there who enjoy well-orchestrated tunes guaranteed to elicit a smile. Copeland is the obvious musical comparison, and it fits, almost too well. Seth Roberts and Lakes have created a fantastic disc. The band rose from the ashes of Watashi Wa to realize a debut greater than anything we music fans could have fathomed.
The best way to describe it is "how much a reviewer enjoyed the album." Sometimes you have albums that are not too creative or produced well, but you absolutely love them anyway.
good review man, ill have to check this out.
and i like how the reviews are set up. creativity and the tilt i think are really good, especailly if know the tastes of the reviewers so we will know if we like it or not.
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
![Lakes - Photographs [EP] Album Cover](./geek/gars/images/3/1/8/9/7/lakes.jpg)
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Profile Picture
View Signature
Posts: 1,642
View Blog
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author