Beach House
by Beach House
  • Record Label: Carpark
  • Release Date: Oct 3, 2006
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 82
  3. Negative: 1 out of 82

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  1. MaxW
    Nov 17, 2006
    10
    This is easily my favorite album of the year. Get it now so you can say that you listened to them when they were just starting.
  2. zipgunzipgun
    Nov 9, 2006
    0
    Boring as hell.Save your money and buy the original bands like Cocteau Twins,Slowdive and others from the High Times of British New Wave.
  3. BillH
    Oct 30, 2006
    7
    Pretty good woozy album. Nice background album
  4. RG
    May 13, 2007
    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.
  5. HeathH
    Nov 2, 2006
    7
    Pretty good but not so original...Does anyone remember Opal? Dave Roebak(of Rain Parade and Mazzy Star) and Kendra Smith (of Dream Syndicate and Clay Allison) - duo from the eighties?...These two sound remarkably like them....
  6. AdamL-S
    Feb 14, 2007
    9
    Gorgeous...I don't care who they sound like, they create beautiful songs just the same. First half of the album is absolutely entrancing.
  7. JeremyF
    Aug 9, 2007
    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 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.… Expand
  8. EvanS
    Nov 17, 2006
    9
    It oozes from track to track and it's the most lovely and original album of the year
  9. Stoo
    Dec 11, 2007
    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.
  10. axelkoch
    Jan 28, 2013
    5
    I acknowledge the duo their way of expressing themselves but they put the very good lyrics into dream pop songs that are simply boring. Partly, at songs like Lovelier Girl or House On The Hill, I really enjoyed their music, but I can't come in terms with their odd kind of music.
  11. evydude456
    Aug 10, 2015
    9
    A wonderful, charming, often hypnotizing, and interesting album. A wonderful introduction to Beach House and a solid set of enchanting songs, especially for a first album.
  12. All_ButTrU4
    Oct 3, 2022
    6
    Promising start for a dream pop outfit that would go on a steak of stunning lush albums as they carve out a more original sound and separate from the distinct shoegaze of their mire notable predecessors mazzy star & slowdive .
  13. frightopia
    Mar 12, 2023
    6
    It is a very solid album, however not much sets the songs apart. It is chill and has some pretty cool instrumentals.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. 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.
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  2. AllMusic
    70
    It's one of the most mystical indie-pop surprises to arrive in 2006.
    Read full review
  3. Dusted Magazine
    70
    A dream of an album.
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