Beach Fossils "What a Pleasure EP"

What A Pleasure fulfills all expectations, showcasing a tighter and neater version of the Beach Fossil debut without taking much risk.  However, the album pulses with an anxious yearning that certainly wasn't present in older tracks like Lazy Days, perhaps a sign of a new found sophistication.

Their intricately layered guitar and bass lines are complimented by smooth, faded vocals, creating casually perfectionist sound that is an auditory pleasure.  The band's greatest strength continues to be their ability to sound simultaneously relaxed and tight, pulsing with a muted sense of purpose.

The empty space is just as important as the music; interwoven guitar riffs are tastefully accompanied by moments of minimalism and simplicity. In Fall Right In, a simple spacious bass line is punctuated with chiming guitar chords, leaving plenty of breathing room. Similarly, Adversity repeatedly breaks down to the bare minimum, then gradually builds back up one layer at a time, giving the song depth and scope.

The album was certainly a pleasant listen that proved the band's talent, but I'm hoping for something a bit more adventurous on their next release.

Looking forward to their concert at Slim's tomorrow night (May 4th), which I will be covering for SFAppeal. (The tickets are dirt cheap, $13 at Slim's Ticketing)

Beach Fossils - Adversity by ginobc

Download the Album at eMusic