Posts Tagged ‘Beach House’
Top 5 Indie Rock(ish) Albums of Past Decade
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
Here’s a five-album guide to music that I feel is absolutely essential for everybody to listen to at least once. Doesn’t matter if you like rock, pop or rap. These five albums are what I deem to be extremely unique and what I consider to be five of the best rock(ish) albums of the past decade. Give them each a listen and I guarantee that by the end, you’ll know what I mean when I say that these are five albums that each and every person needs to know about.
Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
Why: Emotion. People are emotional. The thing is, though, that emotions are usually only evoked when a certain event happens. There is another (less natural, yet more natural in many ways) way to feel emotion. No, you don’t need to chop onions to make you cry, but rather, just listen to some Arcade Fire, particularly their album Funeral. It’s hardcore, it’s sweet, it’s loud, it’s pretty dang beautiful. The absolute clear-cut definition of what indie rock really is.
Beach House - Teen Dream (2010)
Why: There’s all sorts of music for all sorts of situations and predicaments, right? Right. Driving on the freeway, biking downtown, cleaning the apartment, etc. Well, here’s the one that can be listened to anywhere, anytime, whenever, wherever. Beach House’s dreamy anthems are, simply put, instant delights. No matter what you’re up to, they’re a hit. It’s more than that, though. Teen Dream is an album that pretty much hasn’t been done before. It’s relaxing, sexy, motivating and spiritual all in one.
Metric - Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2003)
Why: Metric does it all. Whether Emily Haines is screaming her guts out or whispering, she always gets her message across. In their songs you don’t only hear what they’re trying to say through their (mesmerizingly awing) music, you hear it loud and clear through her words. That makes sense though, right? Wrong. Nowadays, it’s definitely hard to find an artist that when you look at their lyrics, you aren’t compelled to think, “Oh, those are the label’s words right there.” Metric music’s has an beautified honesty to it; one that is far too infrequent in today’s music. “Tonight your ghost will ask my ghost: ‘Where is the love?’ Tonight your ghost will ask my ghost: ‘Who put these bodies between us?’”
Owen Pallett - Heartland (2010)
Why: What’s curious about Owen Pallett is his ability to have his music sound delicate and simple on the outside, but upon closer inspection, is gorgeously intricate. Heartland is (according to Pallett) a one-sided dialogue between a farmer named Lewis towards his creator, Owen. Heartland’s songs could be interpreted as symphonic pieces, a soundtrack to a racing video game or even an exercise playlist. No, the album isn’t all over the place, nor is it perfectly docile either. It’s whatever you want it to be.
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (2005)
Why: This.
Tags: Arcade Fire, Beach House, metric, Owen Pallett, sufjan stevens
Posted in Earworm, The New Music | No Comments »
Vampire Weekend keep fans warm at a cool show
Friday, September 10th, 2010
It was a cool September night. Too cliché to start a review, right? I thought so too, but alas, in the end I could not help myself. Something about the first cool nights of the fall season that I thoroughly enjoy, and yet most other people do not. That being said, a fair number of people did decide to come out and see Vampire Weekend host the Molson Amphitheater on their North American tour debut here in Toronto on Tuesday (September 7th).
It’s an interesting rise, these Columbia school grads, how they have found their niche, nestled comfortably somewhere between designer plaid shirts and post-fraternity nostalgia. These lads have found a way to rock. Their music is very distinct and their formula to get the ladies dancing is almost scientific. Yet, they achieve a style and charisma that is hard to ignore. And why would you? It’s fun, right? What’s better than fun? Deep inside I was hoping that the cute red-head on the cover of their latest LP, Contra, would magically appear. Consider it a guilty crush of mine. Guess I’ll head over to the Hamptons or something in search.
Vampire Weekend were not alone in the talent department. Opening acts the Dum Dum Girls trudged through a collection of low-fi pop ditties, and Beach House, whose astral-pop bliss was damn good, to say the least! Although not familiar with their entire catalogue, the misty songstress Victoria Legrand has a haunting yet seductiveness about her, and the rest of the outfit compliments her sound seamlessly. There is really only one way to describe it, and that is simply ethereal. Like a soundscape with words, it was a good indication of their popularity that many who attended the show were on hand to see them play as well.
Onto Vampire Weekend. Upon first hearing of the band a two years ago, I found the title of the band somewhat misleading and would one day love to quiz them on this. But for now, I am more than quite content to listen to their material and enjoy. They are a band whose sound translates well across many mediums and venues. Having now seen them in three completely different venues in Toronto, the band never disappoints. And to boot, their actual stage show is spot on with their recorded versions.
Whisking through a plethora of dance-friendly pop sing-alongs, this is one of those bands that will likely enjoy a cult following along with their pop success in years to come. The on-stage banter is engaging and their pop is infectious, perhaps simply because I’m becoming more mellow, or perhaps just because I can’t argue with enjoying something fun. Vampire Weekend are an act that set out to have a good time and to make you have a good time too! The smiling faces parading out of the Amphitheater on Tuesday night laid proof that they succeeded.
Tags: Beach House, Dum Dum Girls, Vampire Weekend
Posted in Concerts, Reviews | No Comments »
iPod Confessions: Interpol’s Daniel Kessler
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
We’re officially a week away until Interpol release their self-titled fourth album, which finds the suave New Yorkers back on their original “indie” label of Matador Records after a brief fling with “major” EMI. Will it be a return to the brooding brilliance of their first two albums? According to the label Interpol is “hypnotic, bizarre, always indelible” and also “the band’s magnum opus.” I guess we’ll see if that’s true on September 7th.
While you wait, check out this short chat we did with Interpol’s Daniel Kessler (above, left) while he was in Toronto recently during a promotional stop. The dapper guitarist reveals to us what is currently getting regular plays on his iPod as well as what lucky band they’ll be taking on the road with them. (more…)
Tags: Avi Buffalo, Beach House, Daniel Kessler, Interpol, Twin Tigers
Posted in The New Music, interview | No Comments »
2/1/10 News briefs: Broken Social Scene, F**ked Up, Panda Bear, Beach House and Phoenix
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Broken Social Scene have announced they’ll release their first album in five years on May 4th. Though it’s still untitled, Kevin Drew told Pitchfork that the album will be mostly a six-piece version of the band with guest appearances by Feist, Emily Haines, Amy Millan, Sebastien Grainger, Pavement’s Spiral Stairs and John McEntire from Tortoise, who also acted as producer. You can read the interview here.
Last week we told you that the beef between Fucked Up and Sonic Youth was not actually real, but that the Polaris Prize winners had a new song called “Cranking To Sonic Youth.” Well, you can now download that song for free on a new mixtape from guitarist and Young Governor frontman Ben Cook. Grab it from his No Guv No Luv blog.
Panda Bear (aka Noah Lennox) has revealed more details about his massively anticipated new album. Tomboy (yep, that’s what it’s called) will be out some time in September.
We love the new Beach House album, Teen Dream, so to hear that they performed four songs from it for the new Daytrotter Session is beautiful news to us.
And congratulations to Phoenix, who took home the only real Grammy Award that matters: Best Alternative Music Album. Okay, they’re all pretty meaningless, but the fact that they managed to win seems sweet on some level.
Tags: Beach House, Ben Cook, broken social scene, Daytrotter Session, Fucked Up, Grammy Awards, Kevin Drew, Panda Bear, phoenix, Pitchfork, Teen Dream, Young Governor
Posted in News, The New Music | 1 Comment »
Album review: Beach House - Teen Dream
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Beach House Teen Dream [Sub Pop]
The progress most artists make from their first to their third albums is usually one way or the other. Either they stick with a good thing if it’s working (read: selling records) or they attempt some sort of reinvention to satisfy someone’s creative itch (be it their audience’s or their own). Baltimore duo Beach House are in the former category but not exclusively.
On their first album for Sub Pop, Teen Dream, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, continue to enchant us with the gleaming, lackadaisical dream pop they we first heard on 2006’s self-titled debut. But as “Zebra” arises there’s an almost instantaneous click in the way Legrand bends the hook in the chorus that signals this album as a cultivation. Considering the shimmering brilliance of their first two albums, this revelation signifies just how exceptional an album like Teen Dream is.
“Silver Soul” reminds us of those lazy Mazzy Star comparisons, but where David Toback and Hope Sandoval rarely broke from the formula of groggy slide guitar and velvety vocals, Beach House let the droning organ take over or slip in some fluctuating rhythms.
Single “Norway” is easily their biggest step forward as far as sonics and accessibility. The twinkling guitars have a Cocteau Twin-like radiance, bending and ringing with woozy effect, while Legrand gets some welcome assistance from some breathy backing sighs, which add another heavenly layer to Beach House’s rather simplistic sound. It’s also the most memorable song they’ve written yet.
Last year’s “Used To Be,” as well, shows the music is not all about knocking back some valium and fading out of consciousness. The toe-tapping tambourine-assisted beat and swirling organ breathe new life into their canon.
But the biggest surprise comes in “10 Mile Stereo.” The crest of shoegazing noise allows us to peek at where Beach House can turn to in the future. While Slowdive/My Bloody Valentine rip-offs are a dime a dozen, the swelling waves of guitars really correspond with what Legrand and Scally have been doing till now.
Beach House’s growth may not be as measurable as some bands, but it’s obvious by hearing Teen Dream even once how their songwriting has been sharpened and refined without sacrificing the elegiac beauty that won over fans in the first place.
Rating: A
- Cam Lindsay
Tags: Alex Scally, Beach House, Sub Pop, Teen Dream, Victoria Legrand
Posted in Reviews, The New Music | No Comments »
Earworm: Beach House “Norway”
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Who: Beach House
Sounds like: The kind of music you hear while going under anaesthesia for your wisdom teeth.
RIYL: Galaxie 500, Damon & Naomi, Mazzy Star, Brightblack Morning Light, sleeping pills, Cocteau Twins, Grizzly Bear
Need to know: Beach House is the Baltimore-based duo of Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand. After releasing two breathtaking albums on the Carpark label, they signed with Sub Pop this summer. A brand new album titled Teen Dream is scheduled for release on January 26, 2010. They recently finished a tour with pals Grizzly Bear, who Victoria sang back up for on their single “Two Weeks” and “Slow Life,” which is featured on the New Moon soundtrack. Pitchfork loves Beach House almost as much as Grizzly Bear.
Track: According to Gorilla Vs Bear, “Norway” was written after during a train ride through some Norwegian mountains. It makes complete sense – there’s a strong pastoral feeling to the tranquil melodies emanating from the dizzying synths and guitars, which are treated with pitch-bending effects. What’s most notable though is the tempo, which is frolicking compared to their usual snail’s pace as well as the broadened richness in Victoria’s voice.
Buy: Teen Dream isn’t out till the new year, but you can pick up “Norway” for free here. Plus Insound has everything else from the band here.
Tags: Beach House, Carpark, grizzly bear, Norway, Sub Pop, Victoria Legrand
Posted in Earworm, The New Music | No Comments »
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