Teen Dream
by Beach House
January 25, 2010
Apparently all you have to do if you want any attention in the world of indie rock is sign with Sub Pop. That was the case with Beach House, among plenty of others, who released their third studio album with the popular indie label earlier this year. This was a familiar situation for me: a band I've liked for a while has finally surfaced and is already at the top of most best of '10 lists. The cons are obviously that I can no longer introduce the band to new people, and that I'll eventually be hearing their songs in bad movies or commercials. The pros? Well, I was actually able to find their album at Best Buy.
I don't want to take credit for being among the first to listen to Beach House, as they were already somewhat big in the indie rock world, but I was surprised at the amount buzz that surrounded Teen Dream's release. I haven't heard all of Devotion, but from what I have heard, this really wasn't a huge step up. However, the way TD got better and better with each listen was remarkable, and this may have been the catalyst that bumped them so far up on the charts. Also, they toned down the weird quite a bit, and put more emphasis on the pretty. Often a smart move for a band looking for attention, as we all remember last year's Merriweather Post Pavilion.
The first whiff I'd gotten of this album was in November, when I first heard "Norway." Before then, I'd never heard a bad track by the band and I was absolutely disgusted. I thought the band had taken a turn for the worse and become an Au Revoir Simone or, God forbid, Frou Frou. But for whatever reason (I was probably inspired by Victoria Legrand's brilliant contribution to the New Moon soundtrack), I felt like I needed to buy the album that was on everyone's Currently Listening To list, and ended up being quite pleased with the results. I still do hate "Norway," but that's the only sub-par track on the disk. Every other song is beautifully crafted and very relaxing.
I didn't realize this when I bought it, but the version of the album I have contains a bonus DVD with a music video for each of the songs directed by someone different (among them are Kevin Drew of BSS and Legrand herself). I'm not too into music videos, but I thought most of them were quite well done, reflecting the vibe of the songs spot on. I was a little grossed out by the video for my personal favorite, "Walk in the Park," which involved lots of vomiting, and I still get a little freaked out every time I hear "Lover of Mine," picturing those weird guys torturing each other, but I still recommend the two disc version for those of you who are into artsy stuff.
I usually don't listen to music based on what kind of mood I'm in, but this album definitely has a rainy day feel to it. It's not necessarily sad, but the dreariness of each of the songs seems to be most fitting for crappy weather (which may have been why it was so enjoyable to me today). Also, I've never really been into the whole dream pop genre, but this is clearly an exception. I've never heard a band that sucks you in the way Beach House does. From track one to track ten, this album is simply mesmerizing.
Track Listing:
1. "Zebra" (* * * *)
2. "Silver Soul" (* * * *)
3. "Norway" (* *)
4. "Walk in the Park" (* * * * *)
5. "Used to Be" (* * * *)
1. "Zebra" (* * * *)
2. "Silver Soul" (* * * *)
3. "Norway" (* *)
4. "Walk in the Park" (* * * * *)
5. "Used to Be" (* * * *)
6. "Lover of Mine" (* * *)
7. "Better Times" (* * *)
8. "10 Mile Stereo" (* * *)
9. "Real Love" (* * * *)
10. "Take Care" (* * * *)
7. "Better Times" (* * *)
8. "10 Mile Stereo" (* * *)
9. "Real Love" (* * * *)
10. "Take Care" (* * * *)
Grade: A
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