Posted in Album Reviews

Beach House – Beach House (2006)

Posted on by Michael

The Beach House catalogue and influence has expanded over the years since this debut was released in 2006. Then a duo, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally originally met while part of another Baltimore band that eventually broke up. Surrounded by organs/keyboards and a guitar, the duo recorded their first batch of songs in Scally’s basement on a 4-track recorder. More spare than their later elaborate recordings, the heart of the dream pop sound is there right from the beginning.

Opening track “Salt Water” about unrequited love using Legrand’s deadpan vocals as she sings, “you couldn’t lose me if you tried” before the song abruptly stops. “Auburn and Ivory” uses a harpsichord to give it a dark whimsical sound, “Apple Orchard” uses a pulsing beat with Legrand invoking a 60s chanteuse vibe. “Childhood” sounds like a charming 70s country song playing on a Casio keyboard.

“Master of None” is the track that really stands out as the future direction of the band and one later sample by The Weeknd. The echoey drumbeat and cascading keyboard sound, it includes the best vocal performance on the album. At times, sounding more like demos, the self-titled debut from Beach House is subtly engaging, already with a warmth in their sound that would later glow far brighter than the dimly basement they started in.

7.5/10

Posted in Paper Chase

Ali Smith – Spring

Posted on by Michael

Spring, the third installment in writer Ali Smith’s 4-part series was published in 2019.  It’s post Brexit in the UK and this gives a glimpse into every day life. TV director Richard is saddened by the loss of his good friend and while travelling to Scotland meets Brit and Florence whose stories had been running parallel. Florence is a young girl who has a special aura about her, Brit works in an immigration detention centre, a bleak place to be for both workers and detainees.

Like the Autumn and Winter books, Smith’s stories are rooted in everyday life but take in a dreamlike quality to them like they are happening out of time. Politics is once again in the story but lurks in the shadows. The real story is the people living their lives, interacting with others, and the moments we share with one another.

8/10 

Posted in Album Reviews

Leonard Cohen – New Skin For The Old Ceremony (1974)

Posted on by Michael

The sound on New Skin For The Old Ceremony adds a few more musical touches but is still unmistakably Leonard Cohen. On his fourth album, Cohen sings of relationships, two in particular. The sexual encounter reportedly about Janis Joplin on “Chelsea Hotel #2” is ended with the harsh send off, “I don’t even think of you that often”. More romantically he sings about Nico on the poetic “Take This Longing”.  

Talking to God, the repeated refrain on “Lover Lover Lover” is sure to get stuck in one’s head before the strings come in on the second verse of “Field Commander Cohen” that adds a certain majesty to the proceedings. The back-up singers add a bit extra to “There Is A War”, one that takes place between different groups of people, more harshness in the line “I guess you call this love, I call it service”. 

The standout track is performed with singer Janis Ian, “Who By Fire” sounds simple at first but is about the way people often meet their maker.  It’s a powerful tune at under 3 minutes, one that has been covered many times after.  Regularly regarded as the end of his first recording period, the songs recorded on this 1974 collection are not as well known but in Cohen’s voice and style, they still carry a certain amount of power.

7.5/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Heavenly – Highway To Heavenly (2026)

Posted on by Michael

It’s been 30 years since British band Heavenly released their last single, the ultra catchy “Space Manatee”. The band originally dissolved after the suicide of drummer Mathew Fletcher. After playing reunion shows a few years ago, the band recorded their fifth album, Highway To Heavenly. The sound is immediately familiar: jangly guitars, keyboard grooves and Amelia Fletcher’s vocals.

Quick out of the gate is the keyboard ska of “Scene Stealing” and first single, “Portland Town”. The sugar energy rush of “Skep Wax”  and “Excuse Me” are a blast of cotton candy air, the latter could easily have been on their 90s albums. “A Different Beat” sounds like two songs mashed together, “The Neverseen” a more mature take on the sound, and album closer “That Last Day” speaks to the tragedy of Mathew. With the signature sound intact, having Heavenly back making music is a big win for the indie pop crowd in 2026.

7.5/10

Posted in Album Reviews

Yo La Tengo – Summer Sun (2003)

Posted on by Michael

By the time Yo La Tengo released their 10th studio album, Summer Sun, they had already recorded one masterpiece in I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One as well as several other great releases. For this 2003 recording, the band still sounds like one of the great American indie rock bands but add various funk and jazz elements to their sound. The 10 minute penultimate track, “Let’s Be Still” adds horns and a flute to the underwater vocals of Ira Kaplan. The spare sound of “Nothing But You And Me” also takes on this jazz sound through the use of a piano.

The various textured sounds are a welcome addition but it’s still the guitar rock band sound that really makes the listener take notice. Georgia Hubley takes over the vocals on “Little Eyes”, her drumming beat drives the melody. “Today Is The Day” captures the spirit of someone stuck in a rut, waiting for their partner outside of smoky bars. Bassist James McNew takes over the vocals for “Tiny Birds”, his plaintive vocal style mixes in with the musical soundscapes behind him.  The album closes with a country like cover of Alex Chilton’s track, “Take Care”.  Summer Sun is a nuanced record, filled with quietly wonderful moments from this quietly wonderful band.

8/10