Lakeherst is a 5-member band from Philadelphia that has a good grasp of what it means to be a good alternative band. With the release of their debut 11-track album, they take issues that mean something to them and merge that with a good sound that is clearly of this time.  At times, they show their longevity potentials with a tune like “The Bad Sleep Well.”  But with their very current sound, they also show a good command of song-craft, an essential to existing beyond the first album.  Where many of today's bands fail is that they tend to be unable to play beyond their skill levels, often three chords and no more. But that is a trait that has been exhibited by bands even in the '60s.  What separates this era from then is the easy proliferation of bands due to DIY recording and cheap CD production.

Lakeherst does an admirable job of it with their debut release, Euan Aura.  The opening track, “The Hard Place” sets a tone for the rest of the album.  While Euan Aura is a good first start, I'd love to hear how they progress with their second album.