The MG Album Club #33: Beach House- Bloom

[Nickyboy]

When I saw that the Random Daterizer bestowed 2012 on my, I thought "uh oh. I don't think I know anything from that year". Boy, was I wrong. There was a lot of good music that was put out in 2012. So, once again, which way to go. The easiest was for me to post the album I listened to most that year, so I present for your listening pleasure (hopefully), Beach House's album Bloom. I suppose it is a perfect example of the year 2012, but that doesn't bother me. If you like The Cocteau Twins and to some extent Portis Head, you should like Beach House. Swirling, atmospheric music with gauzy vocals that rise and fall. I find this album a beautiful piece to listen to. I think Sam will enjoy listening to it while peeling and cutting up cantalope for his breakfast bowl. Azo will like it late at night when he finally gets around to listening to it on his headphones. Old Uncle Toe is going to appreciate the musical offer, but will politely decline to take a second listen. LPFreak will realize it's been a few years since he listened to this. Where does the time go?! RickB is going to wish I had gone with one of my runner ups.

Spoiler: runner ups

All worth checking out as well.

Goat- World Music
Grimes- Visions
Grizzly Bear- Shields
Disasterpeace- Fez

<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1UYkwtjbjdLlHc4bdnkvdO" width="300" height="380" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>

 

[Nickyboy]

Well, that link didn't work out correctly, did it now?

 

[Unsomnambulist]

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Well, that link didn't work out correctly, did it now?

Just click the three dots, go to Share, then click Copy Album Link. Paste it here.

 

[Nickyboy]

Just click the three dots, go to Share, then click Copy Album Link. Paste it here.

Thanks. I thought I did, but obviously....nah.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I've heard this before. I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now. Like a lot of electronic pop music, it sounds too precious and "cutesy", I'm not sure how else to describe it. Could've used a (recognizable) electric guitar or two.

 

[Ojai Sam]

I think Sam will enjoy listening to it while peeling and cutting up cantaloupe for his breakfast bowl.

Right you are, Nick. Actually, it was Tuscan melon, but close enough. Once again, this series reintroduces me to a genre that I don't spend enough time with. Dreampop provides the perfect soundtrack to the pleasant activities of daily life and this is a fine example. It offers plenty of tension and contrast to hold your interest.

on the Sam-O-Meter. Great choice!

 

[Nickyboy]

I have been redeemed!

 

[axolotl]

I have been redeemed!

By the blood bloom of your Savior selection.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Dreampop provides the perfect soundtrack to the pleasant activities of daily life...

@Nickyboy I'm not saying you didn't predict my reaction to this album. But I recently reviewed my own weekly choice to say “it’s not an album you’d sit and critique on headphones, but one you’d get up and…”. And then Sam inadvertently pointed out that that’s just the description for this album.

It was a decent listen. I liked that they relied heavily on synthesizers, yet without the somnolent influence of Brian Eno. I thought they were well arranged. I liked that they put a lot of doublers and choruses on the vocals. I liked the female singer and it was fun that they played with her voice to make it blend in with the synths and other heavily DSP’d instruments.

I wouldn’t sit and listen to this on headphones in a dim room. But I would put it on the big speakers while I did my housework.

I am oddly not dismissive of this album.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Catching up on some album club reviews - Nicky's taste is often very different from my own, but surprisingly I have heard Beach House several times before. Still, I'm not a tremendous dream pop fan - I can appreciate the wonderfully constructed layers of sonic beauty but it just doesn't get my heart pumping (not that it's supposed to - I just often like music that does). Beautiful sound - just not my thing. Appreciate the exposure though

 

[axolotl]

I enjoyed this, so much so that I am keeping my copy, and listening to it on a semi-regular basis.

I give it no fewer than , with a occasional glimpse of the numinous at