Album Review: Beach Fossils – Beach Fossils

It’s been unseasonably hot here in the greater DC metro so far this June, and this early summer has made me hanker for some appropriate tunes. Something that’s perfect for the dusk, as the sun sets in the hot, sticky horizon and the lightning bugs flitter around in the humid darkness. And lo and behold, I stumbled upon Beach Fossils. Their self-titled record fits the bill for the endless summer nights, and beyond that is a damn fine collection of songs for any season.

Beach Fossils has a lo-fi feel to the production, reminding me a little of those great albums that came out of New Zealand and the UK in the early 80s. In fact, Beach Fossils at times remind me just a touch of The Clean, seminal Kiwi indie popsters. At times there’s a whole lotta Flying Nun coursing through this record. The guitar on opening track “Sometimes” is drenched in retro, slightly reminiscent of a less brutal Beat Happening, and sets the stage for just how impossible it’ll be to resist the onslaught of shimmery, twinkling noise to come. “I don’t know just what I feel but I feel it all tonight,” goes second track “Youth”, a wonderfully sweet little song with a kicky bassline and drum-machine taut drums.

I’m absolutely in smit with “Vacation”. It’s a song just crying out for a road trip on which to blast its’ anti-city lyrics and punchy riffs. “Lazy today/lazy tonight/and later on,” goes the song “Lazy Day”, the perfect mindset for stifling summer days. Even the music idles along, clearly in no hurry. “Twelve Roses” is glorious, jangly and washed in gentle fuzz. Consider it a favorite. Same goes for the song right after it, the equally killer “Daydream”. There’s something so optimistic about this music, it puts me in a good mood no matter what. And the guitar gets me every single damn time. Hang on, I’m gonna listen to it again right quick.

“Golden Age” has summer flowing through it, dewey with a slight glimmer of sweat, and with something almost innocent about it. “Ain’t tryin’ to do more than just sit here,” they say, gettin’ that summer vibe down pat. “The Horse” sounds like it would be right at home at an indie dance night near you, and very well might be in the near future. “Wide Awake” sounds like taking a midnight drive into the country, gazing up at stars glistening against an impossibly inky velvet sky.

I absolutely, positively, unequivocally love this record. It’s almost too good to be true. From start to finish, it’s divine. To drive the point home here, my darlings, you’re probably, nay just about definitely, gonna see Beach Fossils pop up on my Best of 2010 list. Why not go ahead and get ready to add it to yours, too?

mp3: Daydream (Beach Fossils from Beach Fossils)