So, Bring On Mixed Reviews

From Indian Lakes – The Man With Wooden Legs – Review

Release Date: December 15th, 2009
Record Label: None
Genre: Experimental Indie

When I first researched From Indian Lakes, because I had no idea who they were, I was nervous to see what amounted to a band that took promo pictures in what looked like church basements, and who played the piano with the help of a cat. Thankfully that indie, tambourine-shaking, hipster spirit doesn’t make their latest album “The Man With Wooden Legs” awkward — instead it surprised me as being one of the better unknown efforts of 2009.

The formula is so simple and yet yields a surprisingly rich and detailed set of tracks. Utilizing a sonic set of guitars, now-and-then acoustics, and a wonderful harmony of vocals courtesy of Joey Nannuchi and Justin Stanphil, From Indian Lakes have produced an album that feels both humble and grand at the very same time. In the same vein as bands such as Consider The Thief, Weatherbox, and Terminal, you quickly learn that not only will you get a heaping helping of experimental indie, but also spiraling staircase of atmosphere. As I was listening I got the same feeling listening to “The Man With Wooden Legs,” as I did when I first heard bands like Damiera and Dashboard Confessional. Simply, their dynamic sonic guitars and emotional delivery make all the difference. Turning this record from run-of-the-mill, to something truely worth your attention.

And whether it’s the solemn, piano-filled track “We Never Dream,” the melodically suave song “We Thought Your Hearts Were Beating,” or the Relient-K-esque, building “Our Father Is Missing,” From Indian Lakes has manged to wrote both intelligent music as well as lyrics. There are so many subtleties that half the time, you don’t even notice that they seem to be referring to spirituality much of the time. (besides the obviously titled track “Repent!”). But having a bit of mystery to go along with my experimental indie is fine by me. The more detailed music is, the longer it lasts in the ears of its listeners.

So if you are akin to tapestries of sonic guitars, vocals with impressive range, and a very personal approach filled with echoed pianos and acoustics, then “The Man With Wooden Legs” will feel like a worthy journey that will take you where few have traveled, and even less have succeeded in.

Score: 4.5/5

Track Listing:
1. I Have No Answers
2. We Never Dream
3. We Are Invincible
4. Away!
5. We Thought Your Hearts Were Beating
6. Full of Wonder
7. Our Father Is Missing
8. I Am Aware
9. Repent!
10. The Great One Is Near
11. The Man With Wooden Legs