Beach House’s sound has been fairly consistent over their last two albums, 2006’s self-titled debut and 2008’s Devotion.  Alex Scally’s reverb-drenched guitars and Victoria Legrand’s keyboards and distinctive vocals mix in a sea of tinny drum machines and slow, measured tempos to create something dreamy and ethereal.

With Teen Dream, their third album and Sub Pop debut, they’ve cleared some of the fog from their sound, adding live percussion and speeding the tempo up a bit to create something both familiar and refreshing.  Songs like “Zebra”, “Norway”, and “Used to Be” are bright and engaging while still retaining the dreamy sound the band is known for.

If there’s any fault in the album’s 10 tracks, it’s that a few of the songs, like “Real Love”, drag a little too long.  None of the songs on the album could be considered short; most average around five minutes while the shortest is just under four.  Still, these atmospheric songs showcase Victoria Legrand’s low, distinctive voice to great effect.  If the growth between this album and their last is any indication of how the band will continue to progress, the future holds bright things for this Baltimore duo.

Rating:

Full Disclosure: Although after the review was written/turned in, I received a copy of the album and a poster of its cover in blue on one side and in yellow (like the album itself) on the other.  The label sent them to the station because we’re playing it a lot lately.