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Why I Decree it to Be So:
Beach Fossils has a lo-fi feel to the production, reminding me a little of those great albums that came out of New Zealand and the UK in the early 80s. In fact, Beach Fossils at times remind me just a touch of The Clean, seminal Kiwi indie popsters. At times there’s a whole lotta Flying Nun coursing through this record. The guitar on opening track “Sometimes” is drenched in retro, slightly reminiscent of a less brutal Beat Happening, and sets the stage for just how impossible it’ll be to resist the onslaught of shimmery, twinkling noise to come. “I don’t know just what I feel but I feel it all tonight,” goes second track “Youth”, a wonderfully sweet little song with a kicky bassline and drum-machine taut drums. “Twelve Roses” is glorious, jangly and washed in gentle fuzz. Consider it a favorite. Same goes for the song right after it, the equally killer “Daydream”. There’s something so optimistic about this music, it puts me in a good mood no matter what. And the guitar gets me every single damn time. I absolutely, positively, unequivocally love this record. It’s almost too good to be true. From start to finish, it’s divine. (SEE MORE)
Y'all know I kinda majorly love me some Beach Fossils. But really, what's not to love? Keep an eye on my Top 70, because they're a-comin, believe you me. Not a band to contentedly rest on their laurels, Beach Fossils is prepping for the release of their latest and greatest EP, What A Pleasure, out February 22 on Captured Tracks. From the new EP, "Calyer" has all the hallmarks of a sublime Beach Fossils song - from the effervescent jangle of the guitar to the lo-fi feel of the whole dang thing to the slightly monotone vocals. It's all there, and has me plenty excited for this here EP. What a pleasure, indeed. mp3: Calyer (Beach Fossils from the forthcoming What A Pleasure EP)
As music bloggers, Chris and I both have quite a few folks that come to us seeking musical guidance. Now, I can't speak for Chris, but whenever I get asked for recommendations, I tend to draw a blank. Naturally, I remember a whole host of bands I just know people would love hours after they've asked me. It's a gift to have such a horrible memory, I know. So then, it seemed somehow necessary to begin to offer up mixes for my friends, mixes for those who have both asked for my wisdom and those who need my help, whether they know it or not.
First up: my super awesome friend James, who actually inspired this whole concept. James is no stranger to good music, being in a band down there in Richmond himself (which you should probably check out). Over the years that we've known each other, James has often boosted my ego by coming to me for bands to listen to. Naturally, I'm always more than happy to oblige. However, now, instead of having to get back to him with erratic texts at random hours, I present him with a mix. So James, darlin', this one's for you.
mp3: Daydream (Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils)
mp3: Don't Know Why (You Stay) (The Essex Green from Cannibal Sea)
mp3: The Great River (These United States from What Lasts)
mp3: Knots (Pete & The Pirates from Little Death)
mp3: If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You (Super Furry Animals from Fuzzy Logic)
mp3: Night Might (The Strange Boys from Be Brave)
mp3: Tow The Line (Thieving Irons from This Midnight Hum)
mp3: Big Black Sky (Sunking! from Dreamy Of The Sunchildren)
mp3: Us Vs Them (Common Prayer from There Is A Mountain)
mp3: Young And Dumb (Neverever from Angelic Swells)
mp3: Doors (Ice Black Birds from As Birds We'd Be Fine)
mp3: All Y'all (Gringo Star from All Y'all)
Ok, I know I have the tendency to get a little excited about some of these here shows I go to. But my level of anticipation for Beach Fossils was off the charts. After all, their amazing, incredible, glorious self-titled record is easily one of the best LPs of this here annum, and I was pretty sure that their live show would also be pretty dang good. And I tell you what, lights of my life, when you bring together a standing, dancing drummer, a sailor (or perhaps pilot) hat, and a baby pink guitar, the end result can be nothing but good times. No lie. I have Beach Fossils’ Black Cat show as proof.
MINI RECAP: Beach Fossils = Sunshinily Sensational! Overall score: A.
I’m tempted to go as far as calling them the best of the year thus far, but I’ll stop just short of that for fear of being too hasty and say without question Beach Fossils put on one of the top 5 sets I’ve been privy to so far in 2010. These dudes are awesome beyond their years, and the way they come together on a stage is truly a splendid thing to behold. Starting off with album opener “Sometimes”, the band began to work their magic, casting a golden web of noise dreamily across the room. They immediately proved even better live than on record, and that in itself is a feat. I probably would have been sated after just one song, but happily the band kept going. “Vacation” was next, sounding ever so slightly unhinged, as if perhaps there was a slight danger of the band veering off the rails at any minute. “You people need to move around more,” the band urged, and several of the persons near the stage obliged, though none got down quite as much as that sassy drummer.
“Lazy Day”, one of the exquisitely summer-perfect Beach Fossils songs, languidly jangling along and leaving the memorable summer slacker mantra “lazy today/lazy tonight/and later on” behind. The perfection continued with “Golden Age”, fuzzy and fun and straight up fantastic. As they stormed through “Youth”, I closed my eyes and imagined the whole shebang transplanted to someone’s backyard, lit by a thousand Christmas lights and dancing under an inky summer sky. It was a breathtaking moment in a set pretty much full of them.
They closed with my favorite two songs from the record, “Daydream” and “Twelve Roses”. The smile I had been wearing most of the night got a whole lot bigger as the band sharply but sweetly strummed and shimmied their way through two of the best damn songs you’ll hear back to back. It was just one of those sets, those rare and special times when the band is at their best. And I feel like the cat who got all the goddam canaries for having been there to see it.
As my friend Carolyn noted, Beach Fossils is truly great 99 degree music. I’d say there’s really none better.
mp3: Twelve Roses (Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils)
It’s been unseasonably hot here in the greater DC metro so far this June, and this early summer has made me hanker for some appropriate tunes. Something that’s perfect for the dusk, as the sun sets in the hot, sticky horizon and the lightning bugs flitter around in the humid darkness. And lo and behold, I stumbled upon Beach Fossils. Their self-titled record fits the bill for the endless summer nights, and beyond that is a damn fine collection of songs for any season.
Beach Fossils has a lo-fi feel to the production, reminding me a little of those great albums that came out of New Zealand and the UK in the early 80s. In fact, Beach Fossils at times remind me just a touch of The Clean, seminal Kiwi indie popsters. At times there’s a whole lotta Flying Nun coursing through this record. The guitar on opening track “Sometimes” is drenched in retro, slightly reminiscent of a less brutal Beat Happening, and sets the stage for just how impossible it’ll be to resist the onslaught of shimmery, twinkling noise to come. “I don’t know just what I feel but I feel it all tonight,” goes second track “Youth”, a wonderfully sweet little song with a kicky bassline and drum-machine taut drums.
I’m absolutely in smit with “Vacation”. It’s a song just crying out for a road trip on which to blast its’ anti-city lyrics and punchy riffs. “Lazy today/lazy tonight/and later on,” goes the song “Lazy Day”, the perfect mindset for stifling summer days. Even the music idles along, clearly in no hurry. “Twelve Roses” is glorious, jangly and washed in gentle fuzz. Consider it a favorite. Same goes for the song right after it, the equally killer “Daydream”. There’s something so optimistic about this music, it puts me in a good mood no matter what. And the guitar gets me every single damn time. Hang on, I’m gonna listen to it again right quick.
“Golden Age” has summer flowing through it, dewey with a slight glimmer of sweat, and with something almost innocent about it. “Ain’t tryin’ to do more than just sit here,” they say, gettin’ that summer vibe down pat. “The Horse” sounds like it would be right at home at an indie dance night near you, and very well might be in the near future. “Wide Awake” sounds like taking a midnight drive into the country, gazing up at stars glistening against an impossibly inky velvet sky.
I absolutely, positively, unequivocally love this record. It’s almost too good to be true. From start to finish, it’s divine. To drive the point home here, my darlings, you’re probably, nay just about definitely, gonna see Beach Fossils pop up on my Best of 2010 list. Why not go ahead and get ready to add it to yours, too?
mp3: Daydream (Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils)
Why I Decree it to Be So:
