BEST TRACKS: bedroom community, cold weather, yoshi’s island
FCC Violations: cold weather, glass beach, yoshi’s island
Recommended if you like: OK Go, Weezer, The Flaming Lips, the Undertale soundtrack
Los Angeles based band glass beach has debuted with their first album, aptly named, the first glass beach album. Art rock, bedroom pop, garage punk, call it what you will, but this album is definitely not your average, drearily air-headed indie record. I was mind blown that this band’s first ever album could be so phenomenal, but then I realized that glass beach’s lead singer and front man is J McClendon, the artistic genius behind Casio Dad. Then it all made sense.
At first glance, the first glass beach album exudes simple joy, and playful energy, yet the album is also refined and mature. Every element of every song is obviously very intentional. What makes this album so unique is its flawless blend of multiple genres. From the high school marching-band-esque horns and drums to the groovy video game electronic twinge to captivating keyboard melodies to the garage punk fuzz, this album by all means shouldn’t work, but it does. It’s unexpected yet magical, like a pickle dipped in peanut butter (don’t knock it till you try it).
I do think this album could stand to lose a few minutes. Most of the slow, instrumental-heavy tracks like planetarium and (forever?????????) don’t add any value to this otherwise stellar album, but rather are a speed bump to the album’s energy flow.
Regardless, this entire album is a 60 minute daydream you had when you fell asleep in the flowers under a huge oak tree. It feels like collapsing onto a twin bed piled up with cute Japanese plushies in a light pink bedroom. This album is sure to bring out your inner child and leave you with a huge smile on your face. If you love roller skating, the taste of peaches, or ever watched the anime Tsuritama and loved it, then this album was made for you.
-Safia