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Beacon
by
Beacon Image
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: The second release for the Northern Irish indie rock trio was produced by Jacknife Lee.
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Top Track

Sun
Ocean blue What have I done to you? Cut so deep Yet growing through and through Drawn apart New York and London All I see now Are distant... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 10, 2012
    83
    The sleek album from the Irish trio tempers its galloping pop gait with frontman Alex Trimble's Ben Gibbard-y confessionals. [7 Sep 2012, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Alternative Press
    Oct 10, 2012
    80
    Thankfully, there's enough variation in tempo, nuance and arrangements to stave off monotony. [Oct 2012, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The Fly (UK)
    Oct 30, 2012
    80
    There are times when all you need is a stompy bass drum to underpin a killer melody, and that's exactly what makes Beacon tick; nothing's overworked or overcomplicated.
  4. AllMusic
    Oct 10, 2012
    60
    There's nothing overtly bad about Beacon; it shows that Two Door Cinema Club still have a remarkable knack for winsome melodies and harmonies set to kinetic beats. It just doesn't have the spark that Tourist History had, even if it's a more accomplished album overall.
  5. Consequence
    Oct 25, 2012
    60
    A fun, punchy batch of 11 crisp tracks.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Oct 30, 2012
    50
    With only one true standout track, a handful of fillers, and little innovation or progress, it reeks of diminishing returns from start to finish.
  7. No Ripcord
    Oct 30, 2012
    20
    Mostly everything is contrived and cliché, lifted from a stock collection of guitar rock and electro rock of the past ten years.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. ZacharyMatson
    Jun 19, 2013
    9
    An incredible record and an incredible transformation and maturing from their first LP 'Tourist History'. Two Door graduates from the poppyAn incredible record and an incredible transformation and maturing from their first LP 'Tourist History'. Two Door graduates from the poppy guitars and electric drum beats into a more intimate and personal tale of restless nights and finding a place to rest their heads.… Expand
  2. GBushRoblox
    Jun 27, 2019
    9
    While Tourist History was accessible and indie-rock, this album is a strange clash of electronic sounds and a maturing vocals that largelyWhile Tourist History was accessible and indie-rock, this album is a strange clash of electronic sounds and a maturing vocals that largely works with some faults. Somewhat solemn and conversational, this album feels like its meant to be listened to in private than played on a stage, which makes it sound alienating in comparison to Tourist History. I think this album gets flak for departing too fast from the breakout debut of Tourist History and hits like What You Know and Undercover Martyn. The sophomore slump certainly hasn't hit Two Door Cinema Club, and while it certainly isn't the most standout indie-rock album of the year, there is still plenty of talent to explore here.

    Recommended Tracks: Wake Up, Sleep Alone, Beacon, The World Is Watching.    … Expand
  4. AgeOfAquarius
    Aug 13, 2021
    9
    Another great album by the band. Two Door Cinema Club really owns their sound, and it pays off in amazing tracks like "Next Year" and "Sun"
  5. diegonelli
    Sep 15, 2015
    6
    It's a typical pseudo-alternative album, but I still like it. But songs there aren't like WOOO let's dance, they're just for listening onIt's a typical pseudo-alternative album, but I still like it. But songs there aren't like WOOO let's dance, they're just for listening on silence, and quietly.… Expand
  6. speedybill47
    Jan 9, 2013
    5
    What saves this record is Alex Trimbles, Light Timbre Vocals Sailing above the Overused Guitar and Synth sounds on an unoriginal if not atWhat saves this record is Alex Trimbles, Light Timbre Vocals Sailing above the Overused Guitar and Synth sounds on an unoriginal if not at times annoying drum machine. Next Year being the only Saving grace of this album, Maybe "sleep alone" for Alex's vocals. I think the band seemed to have an unclear objecive of what to do, and took the Sophomore Slump path of just making an album of Enofications.
    This Album was so anticipated in my mind, yet with other far better relaeses in 2012 to oveshadow this Dud of a record, i hardly bother to listen to it twice. Its not Terrible by any means, but its definitley Incredibly forgettable.    … Expand
  7. owenrw89
    Dec 10, 2016
    4
    There are just three stand out tracks here ('Handshake', 'Pyramid' and 'Sun'). The rest of album blends into one generic alt-indie sound. ItThere are just three stand out tracks here ('Handshake', 'Pyramid' and 'Sun'). The rest of album blends into one generic alt-indie sound. It might be well sang and sharply produced, but it's also bland and disposable.… Expand
  8. MusiclyMade
    Dec 25, 2012
    3
    There is a sense of maturity, yes, but there's also a sense that whatever creativity Two Door cooked up on their debut has evaporated intoThere is a sense of maturity, yes, but there's also a sense that whatever creativity Two Door cooked up on their debut has evaporated into nothing. There's the odd keyboard sequence here and there, but that's not enough to cover up the lack of ideas this band unfortunately has. Tourist History had everything Two Door had to put on show and that, in the end, has resulted in Beacon being a forgettable journey, and one that many won't try again.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Most Shared Album of 2012

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