Beach Fossils encountered many complications in preparation for sophomore album, Clash The Truth.
After scripting an astounding 76 songs in preparation for production, the band’s chosen studios were then destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, while numerous line-up changes further disordered the recording process.
While such impediments may excuse, and indeed justify a lacklustre follow-up to debut EP What A Pleasure, the New York based four piece have instead delivered an accomplished record rich in dreamy synths and rhythmic fluency.
Highlighted by frontman Dustin Payseur’s fuzzy vocals and stirring basslines reminiscent of an early Carlos Dengler, Clash The Truth offers a highly accessible release that stands proudly alongside popular offerings from well-known labelmates DIIV and Wild Nothing.
Underlined by speedy tempos and rising percussion throughout, “Shallow” provides the album’s main climax, while “Careless” nods to The Wake with its punk-pop guidance and sonic atmospheres.
Though as punk-pop and even gothic influences are prioritised throughout the release, ambient interludes “Modern Holiday” and “Brighter” seem particularly out placed, especially in comparison to penultimate instrumental “Ascension”.
And while the album consistently sports simplistic song structures, frustration lies in the reluctance of the band to generate a lengthy, guitar bathed melody.
Indeed, the complimentary vocals of Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino’s on “In Vertigo” would benefit greatly from extended playtime, while “Crashed Out” has greater potential for the same reasons.
Even without these techniques however, Beach Fossils have delivered a ready-made and expressively tuneful album that leaves you beating for more.
