Beach House: Bloom [Album Review]

Beach House
Bloom
Sub Pop Records [2012]

Fire Note Says: Bloom is another solid collection of indie dream pop from Baltimore’s Beach House!

Album Review: Indie dream pop group Beach House once again have created a record that stays in its lane of expectations but swells up and beyond any type of ceiling you may think exists. Bloom is the groups fourth long player and it is another atmospheric pop journey that offers 10 songs at a lengthy hour listen.

The utterly calm and cool style of Beach House does not get much tweaking on Bloom, which at first may disappoint long time fans because you always rely on some progression album to album. Now just because it is not as immediately noticeable here does not mean it does not happen because Bloom is one of the most sophisticated albums the band has released. Even though it has many of the same components as previous records, the duo of Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand both now sing with the confidence of a veteran band and it transcends gorgeously into their floating tracks.

The opening single “Myth” is a perfect example of how Beach House handle every piece of the slow burner with style as the vocals soar over a gradual crescendo of instrumentation. Other songs like the catchy “Other People” finds the band picking up the tempo a bit as it hits the chorus and leaves the versus coming off with a warm 70’s AM vibe that works. “Wishes” showcases the progression of Scally’s guitar playing as it possesses a background riff that drives the track while drummer Daniel j Franz makes the skins come alive and give the track true depth.

Bloom is very much from the same template as Beach House’s earlier efforts but it is filled with a brighter outlook collection of tracks that sets it apart. The band continues to grow vocally, musically and lyrically as Bloom gets increasingly better after every spin. This is nothing new for a Beach House record and for fans that is exactly what they want to hear!

Key Tracks: “Myth”, “Other People”, “Wishes”

Artists With Similar Fire: Galaxie 500 / Low / Yo La Tengo

Beach House Website
Beach House Facebook
Sub Pop Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

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Christopher Anthony

Christopher Anthony, a passionate supporter of new music, managed a record store and produced alternative video shows in the '90s. Transitioning into the 2000s, he became a prolific music blogger, chronicling the scene with a positive view. His mission: to discover the latest indie releases and share them with you!

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