Vinyl Review: "Across The Depths of Seven Lakes" by Picture One

Across The Depths of  Seven Lakes

First off, I want to apologize to PICTURE ONE for not getting this review up sooner. There was even a brief time when I considered not even publishing it.

Real talk, guys. We had a death in the family. It's been a blank time of beers, records, and Monster Hunter for the past week now.

But... it's time to be back in it and move forward.

The Depths of  Seven Lakes was not a record I requested....so what's contained inside was a total mystery to me.

It's described as New Wave/Post Punk.

Interestingly enough, I have been preparing to review this album without knowing it. I've been spinning some Talking Heads and The Vapors lately.

My head seems primed for this.

In the meantime, should you be so inclined.... Stream bit on BANDCAMP. This is precisely the kind of vinyl review I love the most. I'm imbibing the music for the first time on vinyl, on my home stereo.

We're able to go straight Ashitaka...eyes unclouded. Let's dig in.

This album is the work of one man: Thomas Pinkney Barnwell IV.

There's the name of a southern aristocrat who's had to go his own way...and that way is New Wave.

Resolute: The Absolute... How many times has a song started and you had no clue what was coming?

That's what this song was for me. The refrain,which is just the title comes across as a disembodied voice.... then into a stereo bass line. This song is precisely what I needed today.

"...but memories are past, Onward to brighter days..."

Cycle of Belief...This one is different than the first. Instead of the syncopated synthed basslines, we have syncopated synthed melodies.

The level of emotion is high.

Tomorrow's Fool... After a couple of slower tunes, it appears it's time to turn the energy level up. This one though...it combines New Wave with EDM.

I feel like I'm being moved without knowing it.

Limerce No. 1... This one...is this a love song I'm hearing? It appears as such. After the energetic rush of the previous track, it's time to slow it back down.

The music is simpler. The vocals are in the forefront of the mix and they're more intelligible than previous tracks.

Nice little Dennis DeYoung style synth solo. The kid noticed it too....

Love Spell... This song...it's not as lovey dovey as before, but powerful.

Winter's Kiss... It's dancing time again? I like this bit. Winter is that season for me as well.

Lily Pad... The opening line is delightfully sparse. This one doesn't even have any percussion. Just the synth bass line.

The vocals are really beginning to thaw me out. They have a Wanted Dead or Alive or Soft Cell kind of quality.

Chaster of the World... The perfect closer to the record.

In the end, this was never the record I expected but it was always the one I was needing. Music is an interesting force in the multiverse.

There was a vacuum in my consciousness and Picture One found me.

Let him find you too.