Dopus Opus
The Lake Sessions

The dirty roll of tight rocker “We Need Love” starts us off on Dopus Opus’ debut journey of The Lake Sessions, written and played by Terry Waterman manning the drums, singing, playing guitar and percussion and Steve McKenzie on guitar, bass, singing, manning guitar, synth, and sitar guitar.

“Speeding By” is a sweet MOR track set up with plucked guitar and organ, a swift passing piece about looking back. While “RagaSaga,” with its thick acoustic sound and featuring McKenzie’s sitar guitar, sets us up in an almost sea-shanty groove. I loved this change of slight direction in sound about halfway in.

“Sooner Or Later,” with its clear opening guitar melody and what might be the best lead vocal and also harmony here, sets up a perfect Byrd-like commercial love song. It’s a great tune, especially when the lead comes round again.

There’s that wonderful sitar again on “Deep State.” With the slightest addition of some percussion and keys, plus a lead guitar, this swirling instrumental is another favorite of mine from The Lake Sessions. 

“To Be Free” is where Waterman and McKenzie really get their psychedelic alt. rocks off. I love this last tune. It moves along at a solid pace; the electric bends in the chorus sets off what would have been a usual straight-ahead little rock ditty into a whole other place. It’s great stuff, as much as all the other great stuff on The Lake Sessions, an alt./rock/AOR collection, obviously rendered by a duo who can play and write.

The album is available at Bandcamp.