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The BIG Reason

Music, opinions, and portfolio of Mark Eagleton, musician and web developer in Northern CA.

Thank Your Lucky Stars album cover

New Music Tuesday: Beach House, Thank Your Lucky Stars

Thank Your Lucky Stars is the second album this year from shoe-gazer duo, Beach House. Do people call it shoe-gazer music anymore? I always thought that was stupid. Regardless, their previous album, Depression Cherry, was released just a few months ago. Both records were recorded at the same time. While I do find this to be a pretty bad ass feat, I’m not going to go into comparisons here. I’ll let this one stand on its own.

I don’t venture out into the dream pop realm very often. I know this style grates on a lot of people, but I was in the mood this week. As someone on the outside, what appeals to me most about this record is the retro synth. Is saying “retro synth” redundant? I have a deep affinity for early 80s goth/new wave, and this record reminds me a little of that.

Elegy to the Void is my goto cut: big, fat 60s synth, period Flaming Lips screechy guitar, an understated back beat, and a strangely familiar hookless hook. I don’t know what it is, but this is the track that perks my ears up.

Really, though, the whole album is comfortingly familiar to me, despite the fact that I have never heard this band before. Any track from this record would fit nicely in one of my many sleepy time mix tapes circa 1987.

I hope it’s not insulting to say this is good rainy day nap music. There have been some rainy days here in the central valley, and this is record is giving me those urges in the best possible way.

Buy Thank Your Lucky Stars