Clash the Truth
by Beach Fossils
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. Exclaim
    Feb 19, 2013
    90
    Beach Fossils have found a balance that's better than anyone could have hoped for.
  2. The Boston Phoenix
    Feb 20, 2013
    88
    The beauty of Beach Fossils has always been in the tension between Payseur's disaffected deadpan and the band's super-visceral live shows (before Beach Fossils, he spent years playing in hardcore bands) and on Clash much of that post-punk energy translates seamlessly.
  3. Magnet
    Feb 12, 2013
    85
    The new one is faster, hookier, cleaner. [No. 95, p.52]
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  5. Pretty Much Amazing
    Feb 12, 2013
    83
    Beach Fossils have delivered an album of shimmering guitars and an ebulliently bouncy rhythm that is simply a beautiful listen.
  6. Sputnikmusic
    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.
  7. AllMusic
    Feb 19, 2013
    80
    All in all, Clash the Truth is exactly the record Beach Fossils should have made at this point, reinforcing all the things that made them good while adding some excellent new wrinkles and boosting the production values.
  8. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 14, 2013
    80
    Overall, Clash The Truth isn't so much a departure from Beach Fossils' playful innocence as a more a mature statement of intent documenting Payseur's coming of age as both a musician and songwriter.
  9. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 12, 2013
    75
    Picking standout moments is as difficult as finding instances where the record’s charm wears off--there’s not a stage where the latter ever happens, but such is Beach Fossils’ way of doing things there are never really any huge lifts in quality either.
  10. Paste Magazine
    Feb 12, 2013
    74
    Payseur offers little besides the opening track that looks forward. Clash the Truth suffers because of this, playing as an introduction for a band that is to come, a band that will have sonics to match their musical ambitions, that could break free of their hazy daydreams to which they remain shackled.
  11. The Quietus
    Apr 5, 2013
    70
    An album where just enough business-as-usual is sacrificed for genuine growth.
  12. Filter
    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.
  13. Beats Per Minute
    Mar 5, 2013
    70
    They’re wisps and fragments that might leave you feeling nostalgic for the nostalgia that marked Payseur’s past. If only the messages contained within the songs rang as true as the guitars.
  14. Consequence
    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.
  15. Boston Globe
    Feb 19, 2013
    70
    With cuts like the melodically nifty “Taking Off” and the high-impact jangle-and-scree “Careless,” Beach Fossils find the right balance often enough.
  16. DIY Magazine
    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.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. twevz
    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!… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    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.… Full Review »
  3. cultxrd
    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.… Full Review »
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