The Coast Is Never Clear
by Beulah
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Rarely has such a meticulously constructed album sounded so effortless. [21 Sep 2001, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Resonance
    90
    Perfect pop, pure and simple. [#32, p.58]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Shredding Paper
    90
    One of the best independent rock records of the year. [#11]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The A.V. Club
    90
    An even-better follow-up to Beulah's excellent 1999 album When Your Heartstrings Break, the new The Coast Is Never Clear features the San Francisco band running through a set of songs every bit as lovely as they are unpredictable, with tracks as likely to throw in a banjo as a Moog.
  6. Splendid
    90
    Coast... sounds more logical, deliberate and downright organic than its predecessor. It's simply a more accomplished recording; because the band had enough time in the studio, they were able to fine-tune the sound to their satisfaction, creating an album that moves them forward on every front.
  7. Nude As The News
    80
    The Coast is Never Clear's shortcomings fall in Beulah's tendency to recycle the same song and name it something new.... Nonetheless, Beulah is still making some of the most infectious and smart pop songs anywhere in independent rock.
  8. Spin
    80
    [Frontman Miles] Kurosky finally has the audio toys to jazz up his Technicolor sandbox... [Oct 2001, p.134]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Mojo
    80
    Uplifting, exuberant gloom. Tremendous. [Oct 2001, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Neumu.net
    80
    A dozen mini-masterpieces of crisp, multi-layered production and tight, jangly guitar, a cohesive but loose effort that recalls the warmth of summer even in the cold chill of a New York March.
  11. L.A. Weekly
    80
    There’s more going on here than mere escapist fare.
  12. Alternative Press
    70
    A playful retro-pop event full of shifting moods. [Nov 2001, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Pitchfork
    66
    The Coast is Never Clear sounds a lot like its predecessor, but it lacks the originality and heartfelt delivery that won When Your Heartstrings Break a constant presence in so many disc players a couple summers back.
  14. Uncut
    50
    The DIY production can smother their delicate melodicism, and those parping horns can sound distinctly cheap and shrill. [Jan 2002, p.131]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best Album of 2001
83
#83 Most Discussed Album of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. waynek
    Sep 27, 2004
    10
    A brilliant record by a brilliant band. One of the best records of the new millenium.
  2. davidp
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    A perfect pop record.
  3. kateb
    Sep 22, 2004
    10
    I don't really keep up on "cool" or "indie" music so much, but I did find this band after I bought the "Garden State" soundtrack and I don't really keep up on "cool" or "indie" music so much, but I did find this band after I bought the "Garden State" soundtrack and then bought the Shins cd. I went online and noticed a lot of Shins fans like Beulah and hence, I picked this one up. It's glorious. I feel as if I've been let into some secret society. They are my new favorite band and I can't wait til their next one.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »