Track by Track: Beach House- Teen Dream

The Track by Track series is back. For those who are new, this is where I listen to an album on it's first listen and record my thoughts on individual songs. Lets start the 2010 segment off with Baltimore, Maryland's Beach House, who just released their third impressive record Teen Dream.

Yeah, the album art is white. And it's different.

Tracklist:

1. Zebra: When bands/artists start tracks off with a 'sleeper', some of us might automatically put off the record right away. What happens when Beach House embeds 1980's era keys with crashing symbols and soft, pinching vocals? The first track Zebra.

2. Silver Soul: To be honest, I'm not much of a fan of Silver Soul. Vocalist Victoria Legrand does her best to give her rendition of a Smiths rip off. Has strong points again with the symbols and the little duet between Legrand and Alex Scally.

3. Norway: The single and so far my favorite track of 2010. What makes the duo that is Beach House so creative and distances itself from other indie bands is this song. Mixing again beautiful guitar riffs with calm and cool voices. The song in my opinion is a similar story to Disney's 'Snow White'.

Seven figures leap the hungry mouths The beast, he comes to you He's a hunter for a lonely heart In the season of the sun

4. Walk In The Park: A beautiful follow to such a powerful song. The song demonstrates the dreary side of Victoria Legrand. In the lyrics, there's various thoughts of giving up from whoever the song is about. "In and out of my life, you would slip from my mind". A lyric that can be used by anyone if the situation presents itself.

5. Used To Be: An upbeat number, one of the only songs that break the pattern of slow numbers. It's a decent tune in it's respect.

6. Lover Of Mine: If you could compare Beach House to anyone, I'd say proudly they remind me of Tears for Fears. A duo themselves, Tear for Fears play a similar mood that Beach House performs. This song ties back to 'Norway'. Let your ears have the pleasure, not my words.

7. Better Times: Jam

8. 10 Mile Stereo: Another Jam and a half. In competition for song of the year.

9. Real Love: A slow number. The name says it all. Interesting piece with interesting concepts.

10. Take Care: Fitting name for the final track, eh? A ballad that speaks about taking care of someone that means a whole lot to you. An uplifting track that really gives a genre a lot of hope.

Score: 9/10