Beach House does its best to transport you to another place — figuratively, if not physically — on “Teen Dream,” a sleepy blend of shoegaze and classic soul.
The Baltimore duo, comprised of French-born Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, has been releasing albums since 2006, but this one is its first on Sub Pop Records, which in and of itself is garnering it more attention. And it’s warranted. Legrand sings in a husky, full voice — ironically a more masculine voice than her male counterparts from the Brits’ shoegaze movement — over r&b-tinged organs, simple percussion and guitars that oscillate from pretty trills to swirls and back.
“Zebra” is everything that’s right with “Teen Dream.” Scally’s understated, clear electric guitar is met with gauzy “ahhs,” then Legrand’s lead vocals. After the first chorus, a cymbal crescendo moves the song from amorphous to a more solid feel, which Beach House rides for the song’s duration. “Anyway you run/ You run before us,” Legrand sings. “Black and white horse, you run before us.” Maybe the zebra is a metaphor? Maybe it’s just a zebra?
“Norway” is triumphant in its own quiet way. A harmony of wordless vocals envelops the song over a set of knotty guitars that fall out in favor of queasy swells. When the trills and harmonies return for the chorus, it’s easy to imagine the romantic music of ’80s outfits like Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark and The Dream Academy, but the production by Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, Grizzly Bear) keeps things current.
If there is one quibble with “Teen Dream” it is that its best tunes — “Zebra” and “Norway” — are found within the first third, giving us the top-shelf stuff up front before a slightly downward slope. But this speaks more to “Zebra” and “Norway’s” brilliance than any serious drop-off. “Better Times,” which appears seventh, is a sweet ballad underpinned by some byzantine organ; “10 Mile Stereo,” eighth, showcases some intricate electric-guitar finger picking by Scally before the song bleeds into a wash of noise; “Real Love” and closer “Take Care” earn their keep as well, the latter providing a warm bookend to the record.
“Teen Dream” is an album receiving some well-deserved acclaim and is an early favorite on some critics’ end-of-year album lists, for sure. That said, it is not for everyone — there are no big “rock” moments” — but fans of newer groups like The xx attracted for soft, deeply emotional music, should be pleased.
Rating: W W W 1/2
| Tweet | Follow @wkdr |
|
|
