Devotion
by Beach House
  • Record Label: Carpark
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2008
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 91
  3. Negative: 1 out of 91

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MattM.
    Mar 17, 2008
    10
    Amazing. 'Heart of chambers' is one of the best songs ever. Must have.
  2. EduardoO.
    Mar 4, 2008
    10
    What is wrong with these people ears? Devotion is undeniable beautiful from beginning to end. I am starting to like it even better than their debut.
  3. O.Gawd
    Apr 2, 2008
    7
    If you fancy music with which to down two shots of Jack Daniels, a bottle of red wine, and a Corona, just to set the proper mood, which one saw Victoria Legrand do before performing a set of this music to eat 'Ludes by, then by all means become hopelessly devoted to this album.
  4. Jason
    May 4, 2008
    7
    Nice follow-up.......however their debut is much better.
  5. JeremyF.
    Mar 16, 2008
    9
    Beach House's debut was a nice little offering, but it failed to sound utterly complete. And now we have the follow up, Devotion, which does a good job of outdoing their debut in all ways. Lyrically, musically, and even the production is crisper. Whether it's soaring through the brilliant opener "Wedding Bell" or shining in the mist on the delicately beautiful "Turtle Island," Beach House's debut was a nice little offering, but it failed to sound utterly complete. And now we have the follow up, Devotion, which does a good job of outdoing their debut in all ways. Lyrically, musically, and even the production is crisper. Whether it's soaring through the brilliant opener "Wedding Bell" or shining in the mist on the delicately beautiful "Turtle Island," Beach House are officially a force to be reckoned with. "Gila" stands out as the best track here, with brilliant "oh oh oh" refrains and hooky guitar lines. "You Came to Me" wallows in a dark cubicle, while "Heart Of Chambers" (one of the other highlights) bursts through with the best vocal line of the record. "All the Years" has a perfect melody and "Astronaut" is an airy, tender lullaby. The only misstep is "Holy Dances," which fails to impress me much, especially when wedged between two fantastic songs. Their version of "Some Things Last a Long Time" is brilliant in its smallness, making a short 6 lines feel so full and complete. And the ending note "Home Again" is a masterwork of a closer, leaving us with a soft bang. Devotion is a brilliant record, and it only makes me await the next advances in this wonderful dream pop duo's career.… Expand
  6. PeterL.
    Mar 9, 2008
    10
    Let me clear this up: there WILL be people who hate this album. It's not for everyone- impatient listeners on the first listen might find it boring or think that the songs all blend together. Still, though, I strongly recommend listening to any samples or MP3s you can find and judging for yourself. Even if you don't love it the first time, if the first listen makes you just a Let me clear this up: there WILL be people who hate this album. It's not for everyone- impatient listeners on the first listen might find it boring or think that the songs all blend together. Still, though, I strongly recommend listening to any samples or MP3s you can find and judging for yourself. Even if you don't love it the first time, if the first listen makes you just a little curious, you should pick it up because in time it will be worth your while. These songs, like with their first album, grow on you and slip into your subconscious. An amazingly beautiful album.… Expand
  7. AdamB.
    Feb 29, 2008
    8
    I can see why some music critics would be hung up on the fact that the songs on Devotion can be lumped in with the 2006 self titled release. I've found the more you listen to this record the more you realize the growth of both members. Victoria Legrand's vocals appear to have gained range and confidence while Alex Scally's instrumentation adds so many key elements to the I can see why some music critics would be hung up on the fact that the songs on Devotion can be lumped in with the 2006 self titled release. I've found the more you listen to this record the more you realize the growth of both members. Victoria Legrand's vocals appear to have gained range and confidence while Alex Scally's instrumentation adds so many key elements to the heart of the album. Plus, the cover of Daniel Johnston "Some Things Last a Long Time" is incredibly sincere and gives the song a new voice.… Expand
  8. JC
    Apr 18, 2008
    9
    Yes, I can't tell the songs apart, but that is not because they all sound the same, they just go together so well. This is an album and there is no point in it that I want to advance to the next song (though "All The Years" is especially gripping). Ever watch a David Lynch movie and get that emotional tingle down the spine? Here is the soundtrack to that tingle.
  9. BrendanD
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    This is just a gorgeous album to listen to on the beach on a cloudy day. Really. That sounds like it should be to its detriment, but it's not at all. This is one long mood piece, and it's for a very specific setting (don't, for instance, listen to this on a sunny day if you're looking to feel all Beach-Boys-y happy). But the harmonies are glorious, and the music is as This is just a gorgeous album to listen to on the beach on a cloudy day. Really. That sounds like it should be to its detriment, but it's not at all. This is one long mood piece, and it's for a very specific setting (don't, for instance, listen to this on a sunny day if you're looking to feel all Beach-Boys-y happy). But the harmonies are glorious, and the music is as beautiful as anything you're likely to hear this year.… Expand
  10. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    9
    Definitely still listen to this album, it was great and in my opinion very underrated. Their new work is good but in my opinion this album is just as good, if not better.
  11. Vampire25
    Oct 3, 2012
    8
    Beach House's sophomore album takes Beach House to greater heights. The production is so lush, dreamy even that you can't help but get sucked into it's beauty. It really is a beautiful album. The lyrics are great, Legrand's vocals are very emotional, and the whole feel of this LP is amazing. All In All, Devotion does take time to fully fathom, but once you're wrapped into it's sound, itBeach House's sophomore album takes Beach House to greater heights. The production is so lush, dreamy even that you can't help but get sucked into it's beauty. It really is a beautiful album. The lyrics are great, Legrand's vocals are very emotional, and the whole feel of this LP is amazing. All In All, Devotion does take time to fully fathom, but once you're wrapped into it's sound, it doesn't get anymore beautiful. B+… Expand
  12. Ricko
    Apr 18, 2016
    7
    Can you be casually hooked on something? That's how I feel about Beach House. They are far from one of my favourite bands but having said that, I've rushed to buy their last 4 albums as soon as they came out. Having gotten into them around "Teen Dream", I checked "Devotion" out retrospectively. It's a decent record without ever being brilliant and serves to point out just how much thisCan you be casually hooked on something? That's how I feel about Beach House. They are far from one of my favourite bands but having said that, I've rushed to buy their last 4 albums as soon as they came out. Having gotten into them around "Teen Dream", I checked "Devotion" out retrospectively. It's a decent record without ever being brilliant and serves to point out just how much this band have developed and improved as they have gone on as as much as anything else. Although still recognisable, it's a different sound to the Beach House of the 2010's. You've got the dreamy tones and the unmistakable vocals but everything is turned down a level and a bit sparser. Sometimes this can work in favour of a record but the Beach House I love developed from this point on.… Expand
  13. loftystrings
    Aug 8, 2013
    10
    Beach House will always be special because, well, their music is just special. The spooky soft vocals, perfect instrumentation and just beauty of this record makes it one of the best albums of 2008
  14. evydude456
    Aug 10, 2015
    10
    Without a doubt the best album Beach House has produced to date, and probably one of the best albums I've ever heard. There's something personal and beautiful about this album that, though catchy and charming, Teen Dream and Bloom can't compare to.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Drowned In Sound
    90
    Beach House have created as profound an invocation of the sacred and the sentimental as you’re ever likely to hear.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Despite the gorgeous production, listening to 11 of these ragged dirges in a row requirea unconditional Devotion. [29 Feb 2008]
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    As comfortable as the Beach House sound is, it's the uncomfortable moments that are most seductive.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »