The Agreement

　It’s hard to believe that the first Lakes EP came out in 2006 and that ‘The Agreement’ is the first new material since then. Of course many will remember frontman, Seth Roberts from his previous work in Watashi Wa. Unlike Watash Wa’s brazen enthusiasm for pop/rock though, Lakes embraces a post-emo style, better described as weathered vocals accompanied by a solid mix of upbeat and toned down rock music.

　　“Broadlyn” sets the tone for the rest of the record as the opening track while the second song, “The Heart Is An Anchor” exemplifies Roberts’ ability to write a song that feels like a continual build. “Back In Your Head” is another driving song that starts humbly, but with the lonely kick drum in the verse is only itching to explode into a driving chorus, which of course, is what it does.

　　With a pretty thick Eastern feel, “Sweet Dream” sticks its neck out pretty far and was the one song on the album that showed real experimentation for the band, but also continually got skipped after the first few times. “The Feeling” is another track that added some different sounds in the form of crunchy guitar effects, but even that one stuck to a very familiar feel.

　　Once you reach the nostalgic “When We Were Younger”, the album definitely slams on the brakes becoming slower and more reflective. These songs which slow things down, in turn, showcasing the deep and meaningful lyrics are some of my favorite and ones that I think Lakes does the best. “Lifting Me Up” cries out as a song for times that you’ve hit the bottom and having someone bigger than you to turn to. The title track goes back and forth with different conditions ultimately hinging on the lyrics “You can take my time, if you would spend your time with me…” which matches “Oh Lovely” as a song desperate to catch the attention of a girl.

　　With all the great things this album brings, here’s hoping there won’t be another 4 year stretch before another release from Lakes.