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Teen Dream
Rating: 8.0 | 0 User Reviews | Send to Friend
By John Mariano
Some bands get recognition because they break new ground in a certain genre; others, because they switch between a variety of musical styles with little effort. And then there’s Beach House, who do one thing, and do it very well: make the dreamiest of dream pop to wash away whatever’s plaguing your day. I cannot think of a more appropriately named album of late than Teen Dream. Like Galaxie 500 before them, Beach House make a certain type of ambient music that, upon first listen, might seem redundant, but will reveal its layers to those with patience. While they’re definitely still following the same template as their two previous albums, this is Beach House’s most ambitious effort to date; ever evolving, never afraid to explore new musical territories. Victoria Legrand still sounds like she’s haunting the closet in your mind, while Alex Scally creates atmospherics appropriate for summer strolls or make out sessions. “Zebra” is an uplifting opener that gives hints of what’s to come. And on first single, “Norway”, Legrand sounds more like Nico than ever; revealing a sensitivity that will give you chills for days. On the other hand, “10 Mile Stereo” starts as a little gallop of a piece that slowly builds into probably the most energetic Beach House song to date. A simple beat and guitar plucking transforms into a beautiful symphony of strings, cymbals, and voice. And speaking of voice, album closer, “Take Care” shows Ms. Legrand at the top of her game; turning a lovely lullaby into an anthem of devotion and trust. As she repeats “I’ll take care of you” to fade out, you can’t help but believe her, because really, they already have. (Sub Pop)
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