By Jake Mahr
Theme Editor
It is always a joyous moment when a band that has been successful thus far in the music industry suddenly comes out with a new album that proves the group’s ability to evolve and create ever- superior records.
“Bloom,” the latest album from the indie dream-pop band, Beach House, has proven the group’s transformation in the musical world. From the explosive tracks to the plain old bubbly dream-pop Beach House is known for, the band has truly “bloomed” into something incredible.
Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally formed the band in 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland. They released their self-titled debut album in 2006; it gained minor success for the group and was critically acclaimed.
The duo then released its second album, “Devotion,” and its third album, “Teen Dream,” both of which were successful.
The first track on the album, “Myth,” is a stereotypical Beach House single, yet as the album unfolds and finally approaches the final track, “Irene,” which is nothing like anything Beach House has ever created, a complete transformation has occurred.
While “Irene” is still dream-pop, it is easily one of the more thunderous tracks on the album. The song starts off with simple white noise and then slowly oozes into the typical wistfulness of Beach House.
As the track continues, the vocals, drums and guitar build up until everything finally explodes into a dynamic war song.
Still, one key part to the band’s sound is the simplicity of its music. Sticking with just a small handful of instruments and Legrand’s voice, the band has very little to work from but still creates the perfect sound that everyone wants to hear.
Beach House uses its usual equipment, yet there are subtle differences that take a few listens to fully grasp. However, these differences improve the band by helping to make it unique.
Throughout various tracks, including “Troublemaker” and “Wishes,” the presence of drums increases and is more complex. While the band is still using pre -programmed drum beats, these beats seem to increase in variety and lose the simplicity, giving the band a heavier noise.
One deviation from the band’s previous albums, and not even a critique but merely an observation,
is that Legrand’s voice is constantly becoming more instrument- like and blending in too much with the music.
Yet in tracks such as “Other People” and “Out on the Sea,” she has pulled herself out of the dream-pop haziness and has set her place as lead vocalist of the group and in the music industry.
Beach House will certainly profit from this most recent release, and their fans will definitely be pleased. “Bloom” proves that Beach House is capable of versatility while still maintaining their original sound.
The album is available in most music retail stores as well as on iTunes for $8.99.
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