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Beach House - Beach House
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Stylus Magazine
    83
    Beach House's debut is consistently candlelit, worn at its lacy edges, and at once vertiginous and embracing, somehow residing both at the hearth and on an icy precipice.
  2. Pitchfork
    81
    Bands like Mazzy Star, Galaxie 500, Spiritualized, and Slowdive will come to mind, but this is neither pastiche nor homage.
  3. Uncut
    80
    Through the simplicity of their languid melodies, Beach House access a portal into pop's truly uncanny nature. [Jan 2007, p.93]
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  4. Urb
    80
    [A] blend of wobbly slide guitar chords and simple, steamy beats. [Nov 2006, p.128]
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  5. Lost At Sea
    80
    Getting used to the lethargic pace of Beach House takes some doing, but it's well worth the effort.
  6. All Music Guide
    70
    It's one of the most mystical indie-pop surprises to arrive in 2006.
  7. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    Beach House is the perfect accompaniment for an introspective day, or night, of watching the globules of a lava lamp slowly float and sink.
  8. Dusted Magazine
    70
    A dream of an album.
  9. Almost Cool
    70
    Over quiet, shuffling drum machine beats, the two spill out woozy guitars, vocals, and organs into slightly off-kilter pop nuggets that sound like they could have been made at any point in the past thirty (or more) years.
  10. Under The Radar
    60
    Think Broadcast with a warmer heart, or Luna with a mechanical one. [#15]
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  11. Prefix Magazine
    60
    Ultimately, Beach House is a mood piece, finding a specific tone and lingering there for its entirety.
  12. NOW Magazine
    60
    A solid debut, but only a hint of what's to come.
  13. Magnet
    60
    The sum of these elements could achieve greatness if not for one simple-yet-major falw: Beach House manages a memorable sound but not memorable songs. [#74, p.91]
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  14. Rolling Stone
    50
    Finding the best bits in these sleepy songs often feels like hard work.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Stoo
    9
    Incredibly consistent and beautiful album. Unique sound, immersive atmosphere, and melodies that haunt you for days. there are no bad songs on this album. can't wait for their next.… Full Review »
  2. JeremyF
    8
    Beach House are an interesting musical force. While I don't agree with the rating they gave, MAGNET has a point: The individual songs are not mind blowing, but the overall presentation and sound IS. So, therefore, this album is much better if you hear it in its entirety than one or two songs (unless that song is 'Apple Orchard,' the best one here.) The dreamy, wavy haze here is so mystifying and beautiful, and it's strangely gripping. I turn on 'Saltwater' and it's like I'm stepping into a whole new world of music -- It's so simplistic and seems so effortlessly created, but at the same time it is so effective. Songs like 'Auburn and Ivory' slip a little, but then they're rescued, again, by that overall feel and the vibes it produced. There's beautiful, BEAUTIFUL vocals throughout, and while maybe not completely understandable, you don't even care as you become soothed with whatever she says, and you feel like it's all OK. Listen to this album through headphones for the best experience, because it's meant to be intimately absorbed. This is a great album of true relaxation, simplicity, minimalism, and beauty. Those four things are Beach House.… Full Review »
  3. RG
    8
    That moment from eternal sunshine, when the house is disintegrating...if I was Jim Carey I would light a fire on the beach and listen to this record. hauntingly beautiful with strange strong structures complimenting and repeating each other.… Full Review »
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