Some may have heard of Indie-Pop powerhouse Picture Atlantic, but many, like myself until recently, are unaware of their connection to De Anza. Drummer and co-founding member John Tran is in his second quarter at De Anza, where he is doing his best to remain sane while balancing a budding musical career and school work at the same time. The Santa Clara-based outfit blends together an enticing mix of unforgettable pop melodies, catchy hooks, and an overall passion that exudes throughout their entire delivery. Their debut EP, Change is Welcome, released in 2006, houses six tracks that display not only all of the traits that I listed but an incredible amount of charm and magic. Through beautiful pinao-led songs like “Nablus”, vocalist Alexander Bartunek immediately takes hold of your imagination, gently singing “candy red and opaque skies helps me see the color in your eyes…” releasing a vocal intensity unmatched by many in his genre today. The equally sing along-able “Every Oceans Tide” has an astoundingly innocent feeling to it, carrying the weight of thin air, in a very good way. Other tracks, such as “Auburn Hair” and “Movie” do an amazing job at painting lyrical imagery and taking the listener to new heights, a very “picturesque” place. Picture Atlantic’s most recent single, “So Long To Sorrow”, which comes off of an upcoming undisclosed album, has all of the elements to form a perfect PA song. Four and a half minutes of soaring vocals, danceable drums, punchy guitar, and very suiting bass lines, it seems as though Picture Atlantic can’t go wrong with the degree of talent they continually show time and time again. From the song’s percussive beginning and Alex’s in your face delivery of the verse it moves into a beautiful chorus where the vocals soar high above the music and into the hearts of the listener. Much like the song says, with this offering Picture Atlantic certainly makes us feel as though “this is where we say there’s hope for tomorrow, this is where we say so long to sorrow…” The band’s live show lives up to the quality presented by the musicians on the recordings. Amidst flickering and in-synch blue and white lights, four men turn into one unit, putting forth one of the most captivating and fervent performances by a local band in recent memory. The music sounds immaculate and the energy given to the audience by the band members feels right, and as soon as it’s over you’re ready for more. To get a glimpse of them in action you can catch them playing shows in the bay area at least 4 times a month, their next one being on March 23 at the South Hills Church with Ashes.Ashes, Novice, One Small Step For Man, and Facing New York. For more information, as well as songs for streaming and downloading, visit www.myspace.com/pictureatlantic