 |  | Beach HouseBeach House is the sublime self-titled debut album from the Baltimore boy-girl duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Together they have forged a uniquely beguiling sound, drawing you into a world of hazy beauty and melancholy remembrances of summers past, with music that manages to be both understated and lush.
Scally was born and raised in Baltimore, but the Paris-born Legrand (the niece of legendary French film composer Michel Legrand) arrived just over two years ago, lured by cheap rents, old friends, and a wealth of musical possibilities. Though their sound is undoubtedly unique, one can trace some influences, and in a sense the band fit into the dream-pop lineage running from the Velvet Underground through to bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Mazzy Star and Yo La Tengo. However, while some of their sounds and shapes are the same, Beach House's recipe of fairground waltzes, spooked lullabies, and woodland hymnals is significantly different to that of their dream-pop forerunners. Beach House also share certain sensibilities with the classic baroque pop sounds of yesterday and at times their album also exhibits a classic 60s pop feel, and a soulfulness which can be attributed to Victoria and Alex’s shared love of Motown.
Beach House’s music has a nostalgic, end-of-season feel, sounding both summery and autumnal. Victoria Legrand's gorgeous, hushed vocals and the sighing slide guitar and organ lines certainly induce feelings of summer nostalgia, evoking wistful memories of blissful moments long past.
Since it’s release in the US, Beach House have been one of the biggest underground buzz bands of the past few months, as well as one of the blogger’s favourites. Stereogum said the band's CMJ show turned them “into silly, gooey puddles of appreciation.” Pitchfork loves them too, and gave the LP an 8.1 while proclaiming Apple Orchard “so good it's scary,” adding that the song “already feels like a classic.”
With Beach House, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally have turned in a startling debut. Elegantly draped with stylized sounds and gorgeous melodies, it is a near masterpiece. |
