Today I was outside in the real outdoors (known on maps as ‘Soho’) when I unexpectedly heard the opening guitar jangle from ‘Zebra’. NO WAY (not ‘Norway’, but disbelief). I don’t think I’ve ever heard ‘Teen Dream’ out loud in a non-music place before. Sure enough, ‘Silver Soul’ followed. What a delight.
To be fair, the Prince Charles Cinema seems to be a pretty hip place so it’s not all that surprising that it had the best album of 2010 on the stereo there. Still, a completely unexpected treat to hear the album out loud by chance in a place that is NOT in East London.
Also, it should be known that ‘Teen Dream’ is just £5 in Rough Trade East and Fopp. Just want to stand and shout at strangers to buy it really. It’s so good.
In other Beach House related ramblings, I feel like I should re-iterate my thoughts on how great ‘Devotion’ and ‘Beach House’ are. I still listen to these albums all the time; just as much as I listen to ‘Teen Dream’. They’re both such incredible albums. So if you like ‘Teen Dream’ and have never heard the first two, you should pick them up.
What ho! They are all three available from the Bella Union store in a handy bundle!
The end of ‘You Came To Me’ is the best. This is from ‘Devotion’. Also on this album are ‘Heart of Chambers’ (which, if I’m pressed to choose a favourite BH song, would be this), ‘Gila’ (you know that amazing song they do live but chop off the start a bit now?) and some other incredible songs like ‘Turtle Island’ and ‘Wedding Bell’. The last three songs of the album are perhaps my favourite trio of Beach House songs, in terms of ordering on the albums. The flow is absolutely perfect. Also, note how ‘Home Again’ flows perfectly into ‘Zebra’, should you wish to listen to the albums back to back (I often do).
‘Saltwater’ is one of my favourite Beach House songs, from the self titled ‘Beach House’ album. There’s not a single weak song on this album; I love to listen to it start to finish. Also on the album are ‘Master of None’ (best bit is the way Victoria sings ‘YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE FORGIVEN!’ live) and the classic ‘Apple Orchard’. ‘Auburn and Ivory’ and ‘House on the Hill’ are pure dreamy gold.
Also, for the completists, you should have a listen to the old version of ‘Used To Be’. Initially I did not like the new version nearly as much as the old version, but now appreciate the merits of both. The B-Side to this single is a 4 track version of ‘Apple Orchard’. ‘The Arrangement’ and ‘Baby’ feature on the ‘Zebra EP’ and there are some great reworkings of songs on the iTunes EP as well as the new ‘White Moon’. There’s also a good Daytrotter session. The band play “Take Care’ and it ends abruptly, just like how they do it live. And most recently, the released Christmas song ‘I Do Not Care For The Winter Sun’.
I can’t wait for the next Beach House album.
Saltwater…looks like driving out west…i miss the USA!
[...] This brightened up the post-Christmas sadness of January 2010 no end. ‘Zebras’ is one of the most beautiful opening tracks there’ve ever been, and it really is actually a bit about zebras. It’s an ambient, smoky wonder of an album and it was a good pal throughout 2010. Anika says very very good things about it here. [...]