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Jun 30, 2017 Web Exclusive By Matt the Raven

Beware the B-sides and rarities album. Hardly an attempt to woo new fans, and commonly a ploy to keep devotees entertained between albums, B-sides and rarities albums may include some intriguing material but usually contain half-baked tracks that weren’t good enough to make it off the cutting room floor in the first place.

Beach House beg to differ. They claim these B-sides are not songs that they didn’t like as much, just ones that didn’t have a place on the records they were making, and proudly state that this compilation contains every song they have ever made that is not on one of their records.

But truth be told, this is the archetypical B-sides and rarities album. Thankfully, Beach House’s B-sides are equivalent to most bands’ A-sides, yet we are still left with a mixed bag.

Comprised of the band’s signature dream-pop of airy guitars, hushed indie-rock beats, and ethereal vocals, the first five tracks prove Beach House’s point and include “Chariot,” a previously unreleased cut from the Depression Cherry/Thank Your Lucky Stars sessions, and “White Moon,” a studio remix from 2010’s live iTunes session. But the highlight is “Equal Mind.” Taken from the Bloom sessions, it shimmers with lush and gossamer melodies, catchy beats and softly soaring guitar riffs. Unfortunately, a handful of tracks that follow get bogged down with less of what makes Beach House so appealing and more of what you would expect from a B-sides and rarities album.

Fans will recognize two songs, “Used to Be” and “10 Mile Stereo” from 2010’s spectacular Teen Dream. Alhough it’s still a mixed bag as the latter is a slowed-down, “Cough Syrup Remix” of one of Beach House’s best songs that gets stuck in the mud and has no redeeming qualities, while the former is an improved single version from 2008 with a more energized mix.

Ultimately, this B-sides and rarities album includes some intriguing material that will keep fans entertained until the next album, but most likely will have them returning to their favorite album tracks for a more satisfying fix. (www.beachhousebaltimore.com)

Author rating: 6.5/10