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

Track By Track: Callahan- Face The Day [EP]

Track By Track: Callahan- Face The Day [EP]
Unsigned

I'm starting to turn away from the more "poppyier" stuff due to the Fall season approaching. But, I might as well end it off on a good note. Hailing from Springfield, Ohio; Callahan bring comparisons from All Time Low to Valencia, and even to Ohio's own Hit The Lights. They released their new EP "Face The Day."

1. This One's For The History Books- Immediately, I became hooked to this release within 30 seconds. Vocalist Ryan Clay brings resemblance to AG from All Time Low. Pounding guitars mixed with soft vocals, the lyric "Boys Will Be Boys" will be stuck in your head for about six hours (As the case for me).

2. The Bittersweet July- Teasing guitars enter the beginning of the song. Mixed with the pounding vocals from Clay again, this band seems to have the EP moving in the direction they want. This seems like one of those "feel good" songs. However, it doesn't lead into the next song very well.

3. Dressed To Impress- Some bands in the similar genre go through the same problem: Why do songs sound the same throughout the album? I wish bands would realize that you don't need to contain one sound to become "known." This song doesn't really do anything for me. It actually bores me at times. I mean, when I start guessing the next lyric.. you can tell it's one of those generic pop-punk songs.

4. Face The Day- When I originally heard this song, I thought it was from the band Parade The Day. This is probably the strongest song on the album. With the guitar teamwork from Jake Bonham and Brad Comer, it keeps your foot tapping. It also doesn't hurt that the man behind the kit (Wes Comer) knows what he's doing. Again, vocalist Ryan Clay sounds really smooth and comfortable in this song. It sounds like he's not trying to force things; he's just letting things happen. "I'll fall asleep waiting for you."

5. When Morning Comes- I heard the intro and I thought it was Spitalfield. Guitars remind me of the old Chicago band. This song isn't the strongest song on the album. It probably would have been more appreciated by me if tracks three and five were switched in the order. However, the negative to this song: It sounds like I've heard the song before.

6. Love Stories Never Have Endings- Many bands tend to albums off horrible. If bands would pretend albums were essays in English, you'd need a strong conclusion/clincher sentence. In this case, Callahan knows how to write an essay. Reminding me of The Dangerous Summer, the gang vocals at about 30 seconds left in the song are genius.

Overview: This is a solid release. Nothing overdone and nothing that really can kill the mood. It'll probably be in my friends car next summer when he can drive. And this probably will make great beach music. Check it out if you like: Valencia, The Dangerous Summer, All Time Low, or Hit The Lights

Score: 74%

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