Artist: Beach House Album: Beach House

Year: 2006
Duration: 0:0-1

A of the Album: Beach House by Beach House

When it comes to the dream-pop genre, Beach House is definitely a household name. With their melancholic, ethereal, and sentimental sound, it’s no surprise that their self-titled debut album, “Beach House,” has captured the hearts of many. But how does it stack up when it comes to critical appraisal? In this post, we’ll give you a brief history of the band, review the album and its genre, highlight the best tracks, note the most innovative parts, and offer our own critique.
Beach House is an American dream-pop duo comprised of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Their debut self-titled album was released in 2006. Known for their psychedelic and dreamy sound, Beach House has released a total of seven full-length albums to date, with each album showcasing their unique style and poetic lyrics. The band’s early works demonstrate their talent for crafting a distinct musical identity that merges obscurity, nostalgia, and wonder.
In regards to their debut album, Beach House shows their prowess in bringing out the beauty and mystery of dream-pop. It's a true epitome of a sound that takes you into a world of escapism and romanticism. From the opening track, Saltwater, the guitar’s reverb and Victoria’s vocals create an immersive atmosphere, building an expansive and contemplative soundscape for the listener. Each track on the album is well-crafted, soothing, and mesmeric; there's no doubt that it's an album one can listen to on repeat without losing their interest.
From a genre perspective, Beach House draws on the hallmarks of dream-pop, using layers of effects pedals, synths, and gentle guitar strumming. The album sits in an otherworldly space, providing a wistful and gentle sound that distorts the listener’s perception and emotions. Beach House’s vocals make up the center of the sound, and the ambient instrumentation is sparingly used, magnifying their impact and contribution to the overall effect. The album’s genre may not be for everyone, but for keen listeners of dream-pop, Beach House is a must-listen.
There are many songs one could argue as the best on the album, but if one was to pick two, Master of None and Apple Orchard would take the cake. Master of None's glistening guitar riff and Victoria’s vocal echoes create a hypnotizing and serene sound that ripens with each second. Apple Orchard’s soft and airy harmonies, again, created by Victoria, evoke vivid imagery of summer and countryside, making one's imagination wander off to a far-off mystical farm.
In terms of innovation, while Beach House does not necessarily break new ground, it perfects its approach to dream-pop. Victoria and Alex’s chemistry creates a unique and distinct sound that makes sure the listener stays engaged with every track. The album is more than just a mere showcase of talent; it's a testament to Beach House’s ability to build and construct a world of their own, one where the listener immerses themselves in every aspect of their sound.
In our personal opinion, the album could have had a bit more experimentalism. While we loved the album, Beach House was more of a building block for the duo’s future works, which experience heavy innovations in their later albums. The lack of experimentation that we saw on this album may have been deliberate, but as the band continues to evolve, so should their style.
In the end, Beach House's debut self-titled album, Beach House, is a masterpiece that showcases the duo's otherworldly talent. It's introspective, poetic, soothing, and dreamy, taking one away from the realities of the world and into an alternate, effect-laden universe. While it may not be innovative, it's an album that created a foundation for the future works of the band, giving us the perfect blend of understated melody, atmosphere, and songwriting. It's a testament to Beach House’s profound artistic ability, and it's a classic that every dream-pop and indie fan should listen to.