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Clash the Truth Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for Dustin Payseur as Beach Fossils was produced by Ben Greenberg.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Feb 19, 2013
    90
    Beach Fossils have found a balance that's better than anyone could have hoped for.
  2. Magnet
    Feb 12, 2013
    85
    The new one is faster, hookier, cleaner. [No. 95, p.52]
  3. Feb 19, 2013
    80
    In all, Clash the Truth is a major step forward for Beach Fossils, and it’s certainly an album that I’m not going to forget about so easily, if ever at all.
  4. Feb 13, 2013
    70
    Clash The Truth is an accomplished album that should see Beach Fossils leave behind lo-fi slacker pop's balmy evenings.
  5. Mar 13, 2013
    70
    Combined with the head-in-the-sky ambience of the subgenre, the result is an album far more interesting and ambitious than mere nostalgia rock.
  6. Feb 21, 2013
    70
    Clash the Truth is Payseur evolving, the band shifting in a direction that’s probably unlike what they previously imagined themselves moving toward.
  7. Uncut
    Mar 29, 2013
    30
    It hard to work out what's more annoying from the rest, be it Dustin Payseur's forgot-my-gym-kit vocals, the self-important but frankly juvenile ambient interludes, otr the neat riffs, which sound like plugins from some indie-pop iPad composition app. [May 2013, p.67]

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Feb 20, 2013
    9
    Fantastic album. I haven't found a single song on this album that isn't good, Beach Fossils really know how to make good music. I recommendFantastic album. I haven't found a single song on this album that isn't good, Beach Fossils really know how to make good music. I recommend this album to anyone that enjoys summer or good music. Buy this album, you wont regret it! Expand
  2. Nov 8, 2018
    9
    Clash the Truth is a truly terrific album. The shoegaze and post-punk influences really blend together well to create a very dreamy sound.Clash the Truth is a truly terrific album. The shoegaze and post-punk influences really blend together well to create a very dreamy sound. Gardner's thrashy drumming adds a lot to this album as well, increasing the energy throughout the whole album. The best tracks from the album for me were "Shallow", "Sleep Apnea", "In Vertigo", and "Birthday". All of the tracks off the album were great, and I highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys guitar-based indie rock. Expand
  3. May 24, 2013
    8
    An apathy-driven attitude coupled with trembling guitars soaked in glorious reverb tones is what you get with this new record put out by BeachAn apathy-driven attitude coupled with trembling guitars soaked in glorious reverb tones is what you get with this new record put out by Beach Fossils. Every track on this release is a gem. One could complain about the songs' monotony but in defence, I suspect that it was the intended purpose. Lo-fi twingling-reverb guitars provide a great musical accompaniment. However, the album doesn't produce that 1 or 2 outstanding track. But it repays by consistently pushing out decent songs, track by track. A great album and a great listen. Expand
  4. Sep 24, 2020
    8
    Even with the "Pretty Vacant" style opening bars of the title track, there is more energy to Beach Fossils than one would ever have thoughtEven with the "Pretty Vacant" style opening bars of the title track, there is more energy to Beach Fossils than one would ever have thought possible having listened to their ultra chilled debut. This is true of the whole of "Clash the Truth" - it has more tempo, more depth and volume and generally more of everything. I enjoy the restraints shown as well as all the songs are kept short enough that they never get boring. It's still got the Beach Fossils vibe (hazy, dreamy, summer etc) but everything is a bit more frantic. There is a bit of an early R.E.M vibe going on here with the jangly guitars which I can listen to all day. The drum and bass combinations really are the star performers on this, bringing what are pretty decent songs up a few notches. Expand
  5. May 2, 2013
    6
    It's strange how albums like Clash The Truth can be so flat, but still so interesting. Reminiscent to 80s goth at times, Beach Fossils droningIt's strange how albums like Clash The Truth can be so flat, but still so interesting. Reminiscent to 80s goth at times, Beach Fossils droning tunes bring you to places you'd never thought you go, but only if you're willing to keep on the long drive. Collapse