Anyway, I really grew to love Two Door Cinema Club's debut, Tourist History (2010). It was super catchy, memorable and upbeat. Unfortunately, I kind of lost that vibe with Beacon. I'm kind of wondering where that happened, and I think that this album's downfall just confirms how much I disdain music producers. Their previous album was produced by: Eliot James, a relative newcomer, who has mostly done indie production but did win MPG Breakthrough Producer of the Year in 2011; and Phillipe Zdar, known for the French house group Cassius, who did production for Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Beacon switched producers completely to Jacknife Lee, who is much more notable, for U2 albums, R.E.M., Snow Patrol, The Cars, Bloc Party--except for the latter, bands I am not in the habit of listening to. Many of the tracks were also orchestrated by Eric Gorfain, violinist in The Section Quartet, a group that does a lot of string arrangements of pop/rock songs. All this known, I wonder why bands continue to hire people to curb their creativity. Debut albums tend to be very original and unique, while it isn't very often that later albums produce the same amount of interest, as the band hits it big they tend to lose their identity and cater to what is going to be better for radio or mainstream music. Those bands whose later albums improve or maintain their uniqueness, they are truly special. Just my opinion, I cannot claim that this is entirely true of Beacon or Two Door Cinema Club. I just think they've overdone the formula on this album, too many songs I find myself not really listening to or glossing over. If you think I'm the only one who has expressed this opinion, check out this somewhat scathing review in The Observer, here.
Now let's talk about what is good...or at least a little more in depth about the album:
(1) The opening lick in the guitars, on "Next Year", is sweet.
(2) "Handshake" is a decent song, if not just too fit for a large crowd singing along at an outdoor amphitheater (I could call that grandstand music I guess, it's something I'm not particularly fond of).
(3) "Wake Up", nothing particularly special about this song, formulaic.
(4) "Sun" has a nice beat to it, and I can get into it, it's a different flavor than the rest of the album, namely it doesn't have that same eternal rock beat going. The brass additions are also a nice touch.
(5) "Someday" reminds me the most of Tourist History, with the more dance/disco-esque poppy upbeat tempo and catchy guitar hooks. I wonder if this was written closer to that album than some of the other songs?
(6) The single, "Sleep Alone", is not on my good list. It goes back to that formula, like "Handshake" with the end of the song grandstanding.
(7) "The World is Watching" (with Valentina), is sort of a different sound, almost tropical or a beach band sound.
(8) "Settle" contains a lot of brass in the background, just adding harmony and texture. While the song itself gets a little over produced at times, I kind of like it.
(9) "Spring" has a bit of that tropical flair, but ultimately it morphs into a formulaic song that grows weary.
(10) "Pyramid" is a definite change of pace on the album, with a lot of picked guitar playing, plucked strings, and has more thoughtful moments. Then at the verses, it erupts into a great melody. Throughout, the percussion is tasteful as well.
(11) The title track, "Beacon", is also a bit better than most of its counterparts. With a slightly slower pace and echoing synths and vocals, it succeeds in not being too formulaic until the choruses, when it suddenly reverts to a completely different style.
I have linked specifically "Pyramid" over under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks' if you just want a taste. Or, listen to the entire album streamed for free in two places: Two Door Cinema Club's website, probably temporary, here; or on SoundCloud, here. I hope you enjoy and find Beacon more to your liking than I did!
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