Beach House singer Victoria Legrand’s notable guest appearances with Grizzly Bear last year have pushed Beach House into the indie rock limelight. Beach House was certainly not an obscure band but with the backing of Grizzly bear anticipation for Teen Dream had become just as feverish as Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Much like Grizzly Bear, whose music hinges on brilliant vocal harmonies, Beach House revolves around Legrand’s voice. Often compared to Nico, Legrand’s voice is quite deep but has a very soulful quality to it. Victoria Legrand certainly has much more control and range than Nico as heard in lead single “Norway” where Legrand sings against a backing of her own lushly recorded voice. Moments like these recall Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. While other member, Beach House is a duo, Alex Scally’s guitar also seems inherited from the Cocteau Twins the way in which Beach House utilize dream pop is unlike anything associated with the genre.
The album operates mostly through repetition. Organs and keyboards successfully interlock with dream pop guitars, “Walk in the Park” is the best example, all backed by pulsating electronic drums. The programmed drums, at their best, recall krautrock pioneers Neu! and like Neu! propel the music forward to satisfying emotional climaxes.
Beach House repeat choruses far more often than most artists, Legrand uses rather minimal lyrics, yet on songs like “Silver Soul” or the aforementioned “Norway” the propulsion of the music assists Legrand who adds more emotional weight each time she repeats a phrase.
Teen Dream necessitates listening to the whole album to completely appreciate the work. While there are definitely songs that can easily be pulled from it the album acts as a lovelorn journey; there is a definite sense of heartache echoing from the songs that, like the songs themselves, builds over time.
While a very good album the song “10 Mile Stereo” poses a problem and not because of something wrong with but rather just how fantastic “10 Mile Stereo is”. In the song, Beach House crank up the tempo and volume (in general it is best to listen to Teen Dream with the volume cranked up or listened to very late at night) and deliver the best chorus on the album. The chorus is monolithic and hugely powerful. The Antler’s Hospice, released last year had a similar problem. The song “Sylvia” popped up and the question arose “Couldn’t everything be just as loud and awesome?”
The same question applies to Teen Dream. The album is quite good yet being able to question something that affects the entire album is what separates Teen Dream from getting four stars instead of a higher rating. Despite such a qualm Teen Dream is fantastic and sure to be an early frontrunner in the best album of 2010 race.
4/5
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