Albums : Beach Fossils : Clash the Truth
Albums : Beach Fossils : Clash the Truth;
Listen To Beach Fossils : Clash the Truth
Who Is Beach Fossils?
Beach Fossils began in 2009 as the solo project of Dustin Payseur. Before and after the 2010 release of the S/T debut LP and 2011’s What A Pleasure EP, they performed around the world with a lineup that once featured Cole Smith (DIIV) and John Peńa (Heavenly Beat). They quickly became known for their highly energetic stage show, bringing the recorded work to a volume and tempo that would make even the indie-est of crowds wind up in a frenzy. With the exception of drummer Tommy Gardner, that lineup dissolved to pursue their ambitions with the aforementioned projects. Wanting to bridge the gap between the live and recorded aspects of the band, Dustin began writing Clash the Truth determined to capture the urgency, human flow and spontaneity of the live performance.
Now with a full time drummer (and co-writer of two tracks on the LP) Beach Fossils entered the studio in the fall of 2012 with producer Ben Greenberg of The Men. Instead of merely going from a "bedroom DiY" project to a "better fidelity studio project" the deliberate decision to work with Ben was determined to capture, if not in style, the spirit and enthusiasm of punk and aggressive music in general. To ensure that dynamic, the drums were recorded live in a room with Dustin on bass to give the album a driving and energetic force. Consider the titles "Generational Synthetic," "Caustic Cross" and "Burn You Down," it's easy to see how the record, while not a punk or post-punk record by strict definition, certainly nods to the first major influence of Dustin's creative spark. The first two notes of the title track that kick the LP off are a clear indicator of where his head was at.
The LP also sees Dustin stretching his songwriting muscles, with the acoustic Lennon-esque "Sleep Apnea" and the dreamy "In Vertigo", which features the vocals of Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead). During the recording period, the studio was flooded and destroyed by hurricane Sandy and the band had to relocate to another studio to finish the LP in earnest. It all came together when the work of legendary video artist Peter Campus was finalized to be featured throughout the release and on the striking cover.
Clash the Truth marks a clear progression in the ongoing story of Beach Fossils. Drawing from the previous works' melodic strengths and uncanny guitar textures emboldened by a sound closer to their energetic and cathartic live set, it's the clear next step in the trajectory of the band and the dis-association from the home-recording boom from which it originated.
Clash the Truth Review
What is the saying? All good things must come to an end? Well Beach Fossils won’t be the first lo-fi basement do-it yourself band to move out of the cellar as group founder Dustin Payseur has spruced up his surroundings for sophomore record Clash The Truth. This includes snagging a producer in Ben Greenberg (of The Men), recording in a “real” studio, adding Tommy Gardner on drums and recording the drums and bass together live. It is a progression for Beach Fossils and a risk leaving the comfort of success but did it work?
The short answer is absolutely. Now if you listened to Beach Fossils 2010 self-titled debut and fell in love with it like so many others you might wonder why make a sonic upgrade for Clash The Truth. The answer is don’t jump to conclusions as this record successfully retains pieces of the debut like their trademark jangly guitar rhythm that provides the support of tracks along with a light overall airiness which lets Clash The Truth float.
In that same breath, Clash The Truth makes natural steps forward for the group as the tracks now have a more organic vibe and steady live feeling bounce. Purists and hipsters that claimed they heard Beach Fossils first may scoff at Payseur removing most of the lo-fi aspects but actually music enthusiasts should embrace this record just as much. The lead off title track was enough to sell me on this album as it is a solid two minute catchy indie rocker. It shows off a lyric wordplay that was not there before especially during the track’s last 45 seconds which features a list of thoughts and free-associated words that leaves the listener intrigued, charged and wanting more. On other songs like “Careless” this enhanced sound really comes through as its main theme relies on several towering guitar parts that bring the track out of your speakers as the vocals dodge in and out of a low grade reverb while “In Vertigo” features Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino helping out on vocals. This track once again raises your awareness of what Beach Fossils can accomplish.
Clash The Truth is a different record from the Beach Fossils debut and represents a solid step forward. I don’t think it is a better record but it also is not worse. You can spend all your time worrying and comparing the before and after of this band transformation but the end result is that Beach Fossils write quality songs, create catchy pulse driven tracks and have created a record in Clash The Truth that only gets better the next time you spin it!
Contact Beach Fossils
Website | Facebook | US Press | UK/Europe Press | France Press | France General Inquiries | North American & Asian Booking | UK/Europe Booking
Contact The Fire Note
Website Facebook Twitter Email
Contact Relapse
Website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Sources : Beach Fossils Photo | Listen To Clash the Truth | Beach Fossils Biography | Clash the Truth Review
Purchase : iTunes | Amazon
Beach Fossils began in 2009 as the solo project of Dustin Payseur. Before and after the 2010 release of the S/T debut LP and 2011’s What A Pleasure EP, they performed around the world with a lineup that once featured Cole Smith (DIIV) and John Peńa (Heavenly Beat). They quickly became known for their highly energetic stage show, bringing the recorded work to a volume and tempo that would make even the indie-est of crowds wind up in a frenzy. With the exception of drummer Tommy Gardner, that lineup dissolved to pursue their ambitions with the aforementioned projects. Wanting to bridge the gap between the live and recorded aspects of the band, Dustin began writing Clash the Truth determined to capture the urgency, human flow and spontaneity of the live performance.
Now with a full time drummer (and co-writer of two tracks on the LP) Beach Fossils entered the studio in the fall of 2012 with producer Ben Greenberg of The Men. Instead of merely going from a "bedroom DiY" project to a "better fidelity studio project" the deliberate decision to work with Ben was determined to capture, if not in style, the spirit and enthusiasm of punk and aggressive music in general. To ensure that dynamic, the drums were recorded live in a room with Dustin on bass to give the album a driving and energetic force. Consider the titles "Generational Synthetic," "Caustic Cross" and "Burn You Down," it's easy to see how the record, while not a punk or post-punk record by strict definition, certainly nods to the first major influence of Dustin's creative spark. The first two notes of the title track that kick the LP off are a clear indicator of where his head was at.
The LP also sees Dustin stretching his songwriting muscles, with the acoustic Lennon-esque "Sleep Apnea" and the dreamy "In Vertigo", which features the vocals of Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead). During the recording period, the studio was flooded and destroyed by hurricane Sandy and the band had to relocate to another studio to finish the LP in earnest. It all came together when the work of legendary video artist Peter Campus was finalized to be featured throughout the release and on the striking cover.
Clash the Truth marks a clear progression in the ongoing story of Beach Fossils. Drawing from the previous works' melodic strengths and uncanny guitar textures emboldened by a sound closer to their energetic and cathartic live set, it's the clear next step in the trajectory of the band and the dis-association from the home-recording boom from which it originated.
Clash the Truth Review
What is the saying? All good things must come to an end? Well Beach Fossils won’t be the first lo-fi basement do-it yourself band to move out of the cellar as group founder Dustin Payseur has spruced up his surroundings for sophomore record Clash The Truth. This includes snagging a producer in Ben Greenberg (of The Men), recording in a “real” studio, adding Tommy Gardner on drums and recording the drums and bass together live. It is a progression for Beach Fossils and a risk leaving the comfort of success but did it work?
The short answer is absolutely. Now if you listened to Beach Fossils 2010 self-titled debut and fell in love with it like so many others you might wonder why make a sonic upgrade for Clash The Truth. The answer is don’t jump to conclusions as this record successfully retains pieces of the debut like their trademark jangly guitar rhythm that provides the support of tracks along with a light overall airiness which lets Clash The Truth float.
In that same breath, Clash The Truth makes natural steps forward for the group as the tracks now have a more organic vibe and steady live feeling bounce. Purists and hipsters that claimed they heard Beach Fossils first may scoff at Payseur removing most of the lo-fi aspects but actually music enthusiasts should embrace this record just as much. The lead off title track was enough to sell me on this album as it is a solid two minute catchy indie rocker. It shows off a lyric wordplay that was not there before especially during the track’s last 45 seconds which features a list of thoughts and free-associated words that leaves the listener intrigued, charged and wanting more. On other songs like “Careless” this enhanced sound really comes through as its main theme relies on several towering guitar parts that bring the track out of your speakers as the vocals dodge in and out of a low grade reverb while “In Vertigo” features Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino helping out on vocals. This track once again raises your awareness of what Beach Fossils can accomplish.
Clash The Truth is a different record from the Beach Fossils debut and represents a solid step forward. I don’t think it is a better record but it also is not worse. You can spend all your time worrying and comparing the before and after of this band transformation but the end result is that Beach Fossils write quality songs, create catchy pulse driven tracks and have created a record in Clash The Truth that only gets better the next time you spin it!
Contact Beach Fossils
Website | Facebook | US Press | UK/Europe Press | France Press | France General Inquiries | North American & Asian Booking | UK/Europe Booking
Contact The Fire Note
Website Facebook Twitter Email
Contact Relapse
Website | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Sources : Beach Fossils Photo | Listen To Clash the Truth | Beach Fossils Biography | Clash the Truth Review
Purchase : iTunes | Amazon
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