In the three years since
Beach Fossils released their self-titled debut, they’ve been busy. After the
unexpected success of their first release, the band released an EP in 2011, and
now it’s time for their second effort. Frontman Dustin Layfleur has recruited a
live band this time round, and spent some time in New York with Captured Tracks
labelmates Diiv and Wild Nothing.
Opening track Clash the
Truth continues where What a Pleasure left off, a short burst of their
signature reverb-drenched jangly indie-pop culminating in the Beach Fossils
equivalent of a football chant. Next is the album’s highlight Generational
Synthetic, a fast-paced, catchy collection of harmonies that again echo their
earlier material. Unfortunately, from the third track onwards, the album dips
slightly.
Apart from a few standout
tracks (Taking Off, Shallow) the album isn’t memorable, and you get the feeling
Dustin’s become complacent, and not taken the risks necessary to make this
album great. When competing with bands such as Diiv, who produce similar slices
of nostalgic indie-pop, Clash the Truth doesn’t stand out. It’s another nice
record from Beach Fossils, but the band are at their best when they take risks,
and they haven’t taken enough this time around.
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