Beach House – Teen Dream 2LP

Description

There wasn’t much room forBeach Houseto improve onDevotion, so they improved the room in which they madeTeen Dream. Recorded in a converted church with producer/engineerChris Coady— who has also worked withTV on the RadioandBlonde Redhead—Victoria LegrandandAlex Scally‘s Sub Pop debut echoes with a dark lushness that’s more like a beach mansion than a mere house. The slightly squalid sound quality ofBeach HouseandDevotionhad a cloistered charm, as if the band had to record those albums not just on the cheap, but in secret. OnTeen Dream, however, the hugeness previously implied inLegrand‘s lyrics and luscious vocals is made real, like tuning inBeach Houseat their full frequency. The duo’s mix of retro electronics and chiming guitars is still as dreamlike and distinctive as ever; if anything, the tinny taps and hisses of their drum machine are even more present inTeen Dream‘s pristine settings, making the contrast between them and the molten slide guitars and rippling keyboards on “Norway” even more vivid.Beach House‘s songwriting is also more focused, withDevotionhighlights such as “You Came to Me” and “Heart of Chambers” serving as templates for the album’s elegant longing. AsTeen Dream‘s title implies,ScallyandLegrandare wry and wise enough to know better about idealizing love, and romantic enough to still believe in it. “Zebra” positively swoons, while “Walk in the Park,” with its graceful coda and chorus lament “In a matter of time/it will slip from my mind/In and out of my life/you would slip from my mind,” makes losing sound beautiful, even if it’s anything but a walk in the park. Despite the wintry sorrow that dominates songs like “Used to Be” and “Better Times,”Beach Houselets a little hope into the album with “10 Mile Stereo” and “Real Love.” Beautiful and heartfelt,Teen Dreamreaffirms thatLegrandandScallyare among the best purveyors of languidly lovelorn songs sinceMazzy Star. -All Music Guide