Picture the Ocean is Edmonton based folk/ blues duo Jesse Dee and Jacquie B, with the addition of drummer Matt Blackie and bassist Moses Gregg.
Their new self-titled debut CD is a little bit of a departure from their previous work. There is a lot less blues and folk and a lot more ambient indie-rock, right from the first track “ Erehwon.”
They sound like a mix between Said the Whale, Jack Johnson and John Mayer, with just a touch of Matchbox 20 so there are a lot of layers to the music, laid back riffs and some really pretty playing.
“ Being Me,” has a catchy melody and throughout there are a lot of laid back ambient guitar sounds.
Unusual instruments like a glockenspiel leap out of the mix of songs like “Sick With You” and “I’ll Be A Mountain.”
The CD flows together wel with lots of different musical parts to enjoy. Jacquie B and Jesse Dee’s vocal harmonizing jump out on “Everything With You,” though they aren’t as prevalent as on previous recordings.
The beautiful chord powered instrumental “Russia” features a catchy, exotic, eastern European guitar riff, backed by some understated organ.
“Scars” is a straight ahead pop song with just a touch of reggae.”
They end the CD on an organ powered note “ The Storm,” which is reminiscent of the Band.
Band: Picture the Ocean:
Genre: indie rock
