Echo Lake: Wild Peace
Echo Lake: Wild Peace- Something that inconsequentially frustrates me is the constant comparisons flooding the press on Echo Lake. Seemingly every article that I read compares them to the likes of My Bloody Valentine or Beach House (not to say that is an unjust likeness,) instead of focusing on what is really important, THEIR sound and the vitality of THEIR new record. Formed in late 2010 when lead singer Linda Jarvis met guitarist Thom Hill while in art school, this duo most often takes center stage, but they are also backed by a band. Echo Lake released their wildly acclaimed debut EP Young Silence, in 2011 and now with their long awaited full length album, Wild Peace, they prove they have undeniable fortitude.
The sleepy starter, ‘Further Down,’ lulls you into the false sense that this album is, in fact, like every other album and the critics were correct in only focusing on comparisons. But the album then courses into the second song, ‘Another Day,’ that sets it in motion with sheer force. The album’s title track permeates with entrancing blended melodies that show off the raw richness Linda Jarvis’ voice exudes. Wild Peace is filled with so much daring boldness that I could talk about the intensity of each song individually, but it is emphatically better for you to experience each song in and of itself. However, it is quintessential to mention one more, my favorite and the final song on Wild Peace, and then let you float away and construct your own adoration of this essential album. ‘Just Kids’ is filled with eerily fascinating vocals and harmonies that are emanating with sublime, for lack of a better word, peace, expanded by guitar solos that heighten the ever-present sense of wonderment.
Despite the excitement surrounding their new album, Echo Lake suffered a devastating blow on June 25th. They announced with deepest sincerity that their long time friend and drummer Pete Hayes had died at the too young age of twenty-five. The band posted a very touching tribute to him on their website that simultaneously demonstrates what a loss they are feeling and brings to light what a great person he truly was. They write, “I could go on writing about him and the amazing memories forever, but another part of me is struggling to find the words to do him justice. So I’ll just say that he put everything into Echo Lake and always played his heart and soul out. I’ll always appreciate that and will always owe him so much for helping us get as far as we have in the past 2 years.” But with great poise and professionalism they do their best to endure, once again proving how dedicated they are…8.7/10