Album Review: Echo Lake - Wild Peace

Echo Lake
Wild Peace
Rating: Grrrr

Initially a bedroom dream pop project, songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Thom Hill and vocalist Linda Jarvis have moved from releasing singles online to jumping on board Slumberland records for their debut album Wild Peace, and expanding from a duo to a five piece. Their first recordings focused more on creating a full on swell of noise, similar to bands like My Bloody Valentine, but lately the band, in interviews, have pulled away from those comparisons stating they wanted to enhance and focus their sound more. While Wild Peace is not going to be considered a slick pop record, there is a definite movement towards melody and structure and not just piling on the guitar effects.

In all likelihood, there will be somewhat a game of spot the influence on this record, from the waves of feedback of MBV, gentle calm of Slowdive, any of the 4AD bands from the glorious 80s, and the slurry dream pop of Beach House and Galaxie 500, all make an appearance in some shape or another. But while most bands end up sounding like a cover band for their influences, Echo Lake are talented enough to add their own distinct sound to the proceedings.

Opening with the droning, heavily multi-tracked "Further Down," you could mistake this is a collision between Beach House and Spiritualized, with the lovely guitars washing over cascading organ, as singer Jarvis' voice ethereally wanders in and out of the mix. Which goes straight into the jaunty guitar pop of "Another Day," which features ringing guitars and a echoing drum beat while Jarvis murmurs a hauntingly melody.



Throughout the record, they touch on several different styles that both suit the band to a T and also add diversity to the record. From the motorik rhythms of "In Dreams,"



to the delicate dream pop of "Even the Blind,"



the fragile ambient shoegaze of "Monday 5AM," fuzzed out art pop of "Young Silence,"



to the simple pop of "Last Song of the Year,"



these tracks never fall into predictable traps or lose their sense of purpose.

Wild Peace is a truly focused record that never puts atmosphere over song craft. Every note feels like it is in the right place, the pacing of the record is impeccable, and it all ends far too quickly. Thankfully the final track "Just Kids" ends the record on a high note, as the perfect encapsulation of their sound, starting from a gorgeous, low-key dream pop stance and moving into a full onslaught of shoegaze fury.



Wild Peace is a very strong debut for this UK band and definitely sets the bar high for them. The only criticism I have is that they are still really finding that key ingredient that makes their songs sound like an "Echo Lake" song. But when you have so many strong tracks like on this record, it perhaps isn't all that important. I think Echo Lake has it in them to really overcome comparisons with their influences and strike out on their own direction.

Unfortunately, this review has to end on sad note, as on the eve of the release of Wild Peace, Echo Lake announced on their Facebook page the death of their drummer, 25 year old Pete Hayes. My condolences go out to the band and their friends and family.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.