Search - Various Artists :: Hed Kandi: Beach House (81)

Is This Really What Beach House Has Become?

W.C. | Houston, TX USA | 08/16/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"First things first, this is the real 2008 edition of Beach House. The abomination known as the U.S. edition is nothing more than a thinly veiled ploy to make more money on Hed Kandi's behalf. Anyway, while this U.K. version of Beach House is better, it is still plagued with similar shortcomings and an overall lack of identity.



While recycling is a big problem with the U.S. version, it isn't a concern here. Which is nice since the track selection doesn't feel as stale or carelessly compiled. I guess you can say that this one isn't as soulless as the U.S. edition. But some tracks are simply remixes of songs from 2007. This isn't unforgivable, but at the same time, just once, it'd be nice to be able to hear a collection without reference to the previous year.



One thing I'm not willing to let pass though is the feeling that Beach House has become Stereo Sushi summer edition. More and more, Beach House has separated itself from its roots as a relaxing though danceable series into an in-your-face clubby, get-down-on-the-floor oriented set. This may give it a wider and more generic appeal, but it's directly counter to what Mark Doyle had worked to establish before MoS took over. No doubt, there will be people who enjoy or prefer this clubby transformation, but there will also be people like me who absolutely don't. While Stereo Sushi and the like are usually fine for what they are, Beach House shouldn't be just another hyperactive House collection. Danceable, quick paced tunes have played a role in Beach House since its inception, but never in the dominating fashion as they do now. It'd be safe to say that 75 percent of the tracks have the same driving beat at the same fast tempo. At least, to its credit, there is only one straight up disco song, "The Lover That You Are". The thing is, the CDs have an erratic feel because to give the illusion that this is still vintage Beach House, slower paced songs are randomly strewn throughout, without any logical grouping or transitioning.



Regarding the music itself, things are pretty hit or miss. Most of the tracks that this version shares with the U.S., "Quiero Tus Caricias", "Starstrings", "Quiero Saber", and "Love Potion" are some of the most generic and uninteresting House songs of the year. Of these four, "Quiero Saber" is the best, but it's still not notable. "Breathe You In", also on the U.S. edition, is a nice remix of a nice song, but nothing more. Of course I do realize that their inclusion on both editions probably means that they're wildly popular, but that means very little in the scope of things. Unless you're someone who equates popularity with greatness, of course. The best songs are easily "A Tu Lado," with its light beat and vocals, "Walking With a Smile" with its easygoing melody, and "I'm In Love" which is devoid of Ron Carroll's vocals and becomes a nice, atmospheric tune. A few other songs, like "Giving It All", "Demanda - Pt.2", and "Sun In My Eyes" are solid entries, especially when compared to the rest. But the remainders are, at best, just mediocre and typical, like "Consecration" or "All Night High". Songs like "The Lover That You Are" and "Can't Stop" are outright bad. I would say that around seven songs out of the collection are good or better, and the rest are mediocre or plain bad. That makes 3/4 of the set unimpressive. A few very good songs does not offset the rest and make for a great compilation. One final thing, the CD ends on Fred Falke's "Last Wave", which is about as forgettable as can be. But with its tacked on ocean tide sounds, lacks any sort of subtleness and would be the equivalent of Twisted Disco ending in the intoxicated stammering of a partygoer leaving the club.



Instead of a complete House collection, Beach House has devolved into a parade of dance singles. It honestly feels like Hed Kandi is going down a checklist of requisite tracks and fills the rest of the CDs with whatever's hot at the moment. While not nearly as offensively bad as the U.S. version, this U.K. collection still feels like a jumble of basic dance music with a handful of nice songs thrown in. Much of it just feels pretentious. Instead of being summertime listening, it's like a soundtrack for an imaginary beach party and those who like to pretend they're going to one. Don't get me wrong, when compared to the atrocious US version, this is light years better, and relatively well worth the extra $15. This one actually has a couple of fresh, genuinely great tracks. But, with so many average dance tunes, I can't in good conscious give this Beach House more than 2 1/2 stars, rounded down to reflect the overall disappointment. I suppose that if you really, really love clubby House, it wouldn't be outrageous that you'd find the collection a bit more entertaining than I did. It has fewer intrinsic faults than the U.S. edition, so is more open to interpretation.



For a full track listing, go the amazon.co.uk site.





Favorite Tracks:

A Tu Lado

Walking With a Smile



Least Favorite Tracks:

The Lover That You Are

Can't Stop

Love Sweet Sound

Meu Carnival"