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19 Feb 2010

Beach House – Teen Dream

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I’m in. I’m sold. If Beach House’s last album Devotion was an introverted, dimly lit Pet Sounds by way of a drum machine, this one’s bigger, brighter, and more assertive. Not that I didn’t like Devotion by any means, but I think I’ll be spinning this one more regularly.

So, the changes in sound: there’s the aforementioned brighter tone to it, for a start. It’s got more dynamic shifts – bigger harmonies, lusher mixes, bigger choruses, but it still manages to retaining the delicate dream-pop elements that are fundamental to the band’s sound. Instrumentally, the arrangements feel a more substantial than past album – Victoria Legrand’s voice is also out front and centre, propelling each song and making sure it connects.

The songs are gorgeous – first single “Norway” definitely sticks out as the biggest, catchiest number, but opener “Zebra” and “Lover of Mine” come close in infectiousness, with the latter particularly finding a groove amidst some subtle 80s pop influences. “Real Love” definitely jumps in as a highlight in the form of a lovely, slow-burning ballad.

There’s not a lot more I need to say. If you’re into music that’s dreamy, sunny, texture-rich and song-oriented, this one’s in category A. I highly recommend it. If I could hack a metaphor, Beach House seem to overcome their indoor-bound introversions and discovered the outdoors. This album is a natural progression – neither a leap nor a baby step – but the results are working for me, and I think it’ll take the band to a bigger crowd.

Also: I also have to make special note of the packaging – I picked up the special edition CD and it’s brilliantly presented as a folded digipak box with individual full-page artwork for each song. Really enjoyable. The special edition also comes with a DVD containing video clips for every one of the album’s songs. Buy your music yo, it rewards you with pretty pictures and stuff.

Teen Dream is out now on CD through Mistletone/Inertia. The vinyl release is available for import from Sub Pop.

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08 Feb 2010

The Soft Pack

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The Soft Pack

I find it a little bizarre that I’m writing about this album, as I’m frequently not much of a fan of the lo-fi garage rock ‘n’ roll set. I don’t think it’s a genre prejudice, I just find that the line between “authentic” and “sloppy” can be altogether too blurry at times.

Having heard the The Soft Pack’s recent Australian release of singles, b-sides and demos entitled Exctinction, I was gearing up to dump the band in the “sloppy” category. The release, apparently intended to capture interest arising from the group’s “buzz” status, contained a lot of songs with mediocre-to-dismal sound quality and a general lack of impact.

It was with little enthusiasm, then, that I gave the band another go with their new self-titled. Surprisingly, what jumped out at me was a different band to what I’d previously encountered. The production, granted, is more refined: the arrangements are more pre-meditated than before, in the way the guitars blend, the vocal harmonies and the dynamics of the songs. Many might cry foul of this as “losing the vibe”, but here’s the thing: unlike the previous songs I’d heard from the band, all these modifications allowed the hooks to shine through. And, as it turns out, these boys have a knack for writing hooks – tons of them.

This is infectious stuff – no revolutions here, just an album that’s a 32 minute ride of quality, rollicking rockers. Despite the aforementioned production values, the album’s sound still retains the punch of a band-in-the-room aesthetic. The songs saunter along, usually at a brisk pace. It’s got singable choruses and a boatload of energetic riffs. The refinements simply aid the band in hitting the spot more consistently, making for a much more enjoyable start-to-finish experience.

In conclusion, I think what’s been managed here is a straddling between the two extremes – spontaneous, “authentic” performances and refined production value. Too much of either and you lose the plot, but The Soft Pack have managed to turn out a release that walks the line neatly in the middle without pandering to either side. The result is a cunningly executed balance: when it comes served like this I’m not too concerned about its originality, I’m having too much fun enjoying the ride.

The Soft Pack comes out March 6th through Pod/Inertia.

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