Great Lakes, Great Lakes (side A)

I worked with Ben on the latest Great Lakes record (Ways of Escape), so I'm obviously biased here. Great Lakes' self-titled debut, from 2000, dates from the era when they were still based in Athens GA, and it proudly sports a tiny Elephant 6 logo on the back. Great Lakes features a cast of the group's neighbors and peers, and the resulting sound is dense and energetic, with a bit of a carnival-like air. The packaging is similarly vibrant, though I didn't follow the directions to cut up the insert, and the mastering is a bit present and bright.