Beach House’s sophomore effort, Devotion, is perhaps best likened to a poor man’s vacation. For only 15 bucks, you can be completely transported for 44 minutes to some inexplicable land of serene bliss. Beach House is the Baltimore duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. This album brings about a more refined Beach House than we saw in 2006’s self titled release. Legrand’s deliberate and flowing vocals are complimented by solid but subtle guitar and keyboard. The result is music that is dreamlike, expansive and gaseous, filling the space it occupies but never dominating it. Their sentiment, reflecting on love, loss, celebration, and, of course, devotion, produces a contemplative atmosphere in which feelings of joy and sorrow are evoked simultaneously. The lyrics are simple but heavy; “Some things last a long time,” is a blunt take on the slow emotional healing process. But joyous tunes like “Wedding Bells,” depict love with light and wit singing “Oh, but your wish is my command.” Whether played on powerful headphones or softly before bed, this album accompanies you. It is much like a friend who makes a great joke while you cry, never depressing but always earnest. Their honesty is infections, and they want you to experience and interpret it your self. You might say they invite you directly in “Astronaut,” with the lyric “Come over to my house, I’ll pour some tea for us –one sugar or two?” I’d recommend you stop by.
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