Paper Symphonies

Beach House

Quick Facts:

Most recent album: Teen Dream (2010)

Sound: Very mellow, uber dreamy, relaxing tunes

Song sample: “Childhood” (2006)

I might be slightly late to the party on this one but a friend told me about a “very dreamy” band—that he has been really into this summer—called Beach House. Investigating further into this unique duo I noticed they are labeled as “dream pop.” Now, until now I did not know that sub-genre actually existed, but after listening to Beach House I realized it was dead on. I drifted off into sleep listening to their 2006 self-titled debut and let their mellow, slightly psychedelic sound invite me into their own personalized dream world, which felt lighter than air.

Don’t get me wrong, this does not sound like something you would be getting stoned to in the 70’s, it is most certainly pop—just pop on valium. All three albums are populated with reverb soaked slide guitar riffs, haunting organs over equally as eerie lyrics, with just a hint of synth to really bring it into this electronically dominated decade.

Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand—Baltimore natives—are undoubtedly talented musicians. Their albums prove that they have been classically trained, and use this to put the music industry on its toes with something that is truly unique—and not just weird to be weird—weird to be spectacular.

Beach House is touring with Vampire Weekend this year, and I am curious to know how their mellow sound will resonate with a live audience. It is unquestionably beautiful music, but not quite ‘the get up and dance’ type that people look for at shows. Unfortunately this is still the unknown for me, but if anyone reading this has seen them live and cares to comment please do!