Beams

Matthew Dear | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 28, 2012
• Label: Ghostly International
• Copyright: (c) 2012 Ghostly International (Matthew Dear)
• Total Length: 48:56
• Genres:
  • Dance & DJ > Electronica
• ASIN: B008IOAYB0
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,177 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Album with Many Interesting Moments August 30, 2012

By T. A. Daniel TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

With music cheaper than ever to create, electronic-based musicians are springing up from every nook and cranny. Luckily, some of these producers and musicians have the talent to back it up. Matthew Dear has been pumping out material since the early 2000's, and he rarely lets his music become too flashy or gimmicky. Matthew Dear's BEAMS lets its production outshine its actual content -- it's a fantastic sounding record. A lot of this record reminded me of the David Bowie/Brian Eno Berlin collaborations. It's heavily electronic, layered with tons of instrumentation, tinged with by 4/4 rock, and Dear provides his own baritone across the album.

BEAMS begins with the fantastic "Her Fantasy," a song with an infectious beat that is hard to resist. "Headcage," one of the album's lead singles, sums the album (but it's not even close to being one of the best in the collection): it's filled with synthesizers, steady beats, and Dear advising the audience to party. "Ahead of Myself" is repetitive, but it fortunately repeats a nice melodic hook. "Shake Me," the album's penultimate track, it a bit more moody and atmospheric than the others, but it serves Dear well: it's one of the best on the album. The final track, "Temptation," shoots for the stars in terms of its scope, and it mostly succeeds. It's a song that shines in its final moments before the album's ending.

It's hard to recommend Matthew Dear's BEAMS: it doesn't feel passionate, and it's not really all that fun either. The lyrics here won't keep you coming back for more, and Dear's vocals are often pretty spotty (he reminds me of singer/songwriter Brad Sucks). The album comes together in a nice way though -- it's a good listen to be sure, but it's hard to point out just what about it that makes it so good. Dear's album is "interesting," and if you're looking for that kind of quality in your music, this may be the album for you. It's got a great sound, and some of the colors that Dear paints with are inspired. If you're looking for a party album, a break-up album, or the next chill-wave sensation, you probably won't find it here.

Standout tracks to sample/download: "Her Fantasy," "Ahead of Myself," and "Shake Me."

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites of the year September 2, 2012

By M. R. Porvaznik

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm new to Dear, but it sure as heck hasn't deterred me from enjoying his new album "Beams". The music is difficult to define, but a bunch of thoughts get jumbled in my brain when I try: cold synth-pop, indie-house, soul tinged-techno, electro-dub-dance, etc. etc. If any of those descriptors caught your attention, then give it a listen. It's a pretty subdued and dark album, but every track is unique and worthwhile.

Album starts with "Her Fantasy" which is probably the best track on here. Followed with some quick hits in "Earthforms", "Headcage", and "Fighting is Futile". "Up and Out" borders on overly funky, but those vocals turn it from corny to sexy. "Overtime" reminds me of that scene where Ferris Bueller is racing to get in bed before his parents get home. "Get the Rhyme Right" slows things down a bit, very chill. "Ahead of Myself" keeps the chill going, with the repetitive "wait, I'm getting ahead of myself" driving the song forward. The album takes a brighter turn when it hits "Do the Right Thing". It borders on uplifting, but slips so comfortably into the set. "Shake Me" follows as one of the darkest and most impressive tracks on here. "Temptation" closes with a driving, rising mood that'd be comfortable on a TV on the Radio album.

This album does a lot for me personally. The mood is exactly what I'm looking. If synth pop is too poppy for you, if typical house music is feeling too generic, if electronic music is getting abrasive and rubbing you raw, check this out. My favorite album of 2012 so far.

Great tracks: Her Fantasy, Earthforms, Headcage, Do the Right Thing, Shake Me, Temptation
Not as great tracks: Overtime, Get the Rhyme Right

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent album. Completely exceeds already high expectations! September 13, 2012

By Mark

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Chances are, if you're already here, you're a fan of Matthew Dear. But maybe not. Either way, you're in for a treat. Matthew Dear's sound keeps evolving with every EP and LP he puts out, and Beams is no exception. His distinctive sound is more mature on this CD, filled with familiar hypnotic grooves, intense vocals, and pulsing ambient waves. He uses his same voice to say something very new. Enjoy it!