Lakes "Photographs EP" (The Militia Group)
By Kimberly Rosenbauer
Monday. Sep 11, 12:01 AM
Too much American cheese.

Lakes are a perfect example of how, in music, you have to have it ALL in order to be successful. The overwhelming problem I have with Photographs EP is the lyrics. Good band, lots of potential, but with bad lyrics that can downgrade the depth of their art.

Let's discuss. On “White Flag,” the chorus declares: “America, dream your dreams!” over and over and over. Come on people, don’t make me gag. Maybe it’s just my cynicism, but I just can’t imagine that many people would hear this song and relate. The music, however, is great, and very reminiscent of ‘80s Sting or – even closer – Phil Collins' Genesis material (note that said lyrics would be entirely appropriate back in those days, when people were more or less proud to be Americans).

Ironically, the song entitled “America” is not cheesy, does not ode to America, and is quite good. The drums and lead guitar play a nice slow-and-steady beat that builds into the chorus, which includes some dramatic signature Tom Petty-esque chords.

In “Laters,” we return to lyrics fit for holding hands around the campfire. Again, I’m not trying to be pessimistic or cynical, but if you want your music to be popular and/or successful, you have to know who your audience is and speak to them. So many people consider their music an expression of themselves, and I just don’t know too many people who could hear lyrics like “we can talk about the world, sing about the rain, and we can laugh until we cry, be in love / and love will be our way, and we’ll see it every day” in a rock song and take it seriously.

“Indian Lover” is the strongest song in which we hear a perfect mesh of all four band members, including frequent rhythm changes and a strong chorus. The song ends almost like an anthem: with a choir of voices singing over a sturdy drumbeat.

Please don’t get me wrong: Lakes have strong potential. I like the ‘80s throwback sound that steers away from all of the electro-pop we’ve been overloaded with recently. I also like the strong rhythms and melodies of all of the tracks. I just wouldn’t want something like cheesy lyrics to turn people away from a good band. Unfortunately, unless Lakes do something about their prose, that’s exactly what will happen.
www.lakesband.com
www.themilitiagroup.com

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Kimberly Rosenbauer

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