Customer Reviews

Handsome Western States

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One of the biggest buzzes in the world of "indie rock" in the late 1990s was the buzz surrounding the Elephant 6 Collective, a group of like-minded friends and musicians bent on crafting singable songs and a DIY spirit with it's roots in the psyche pop-rock of the mid-to-late 60s. Most all of the bands involved in Elephant 6 have had one linking thread throughout them. That thread has been Robert Schneider, main brain behind `THE APPLES in stereo.' Mr. Schneider has lent his production genius to the debut LP of Beulah, who have since moved past the "another Elephant 6 band" label.

`Handsome Western States' is a slice from the indie-rock handbook, melding catchy melodies and tunes with Pixie's-like one-note guitar licks and disjointed, angular guitar workouts. Fresh and new? Not at all. Infinitely enjoyable? You bet. Over the course of this LP, Beulah comes across like Pavement covering THE APPES In Stereo, or even more accurately, THE APPLES In Stereo covering Pavement. The songs center around your standard "I'm a rock n' roll kind of guy" theme, remaining simple while being as hummable as The Beatles.

The close follower of Elephant 6 releases will not go wrong here, as everything that you have come to expect is represented. Great songs, homespun yet not lo-fi production, excellent harmonies, some wacky instrumentation, and a fun spirit not often found in modern music. Those more interested in a new Pavement and/or Sebadoh indie band to dig into will want to run out and pick this up as well, because all of the hallmarks of fuzzy pop are here.

Beulah's first album is closer to their last, "Yoko," than their other two, "When Your Heartstrings Break" and "The Coast is Never Clear." That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.

"States" is strictly rock, and Beulah has yet to discover the many instruments and pop melodies that make Beulah great. While the other albums may be better, this one is almost as good, and that's saying a lot.

The melodies are catchy after about the third listen, but then they're all wonderful and catchy in a very "come on sing along!" way. The one exception is "Slow-Mo for the Masses." It isn't catchy, or clever, or fun, it's just Miles Kurosky talk-singing over a guitar. However, the rest of the songs are wonderful.
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This early Beulah set is currently a bit hard to find, but very rewarding if you can get it. I have tremendously enjoyed "The Coast Is Never Clear" & "Yoko"; so it's interesting to hear an earlier set by this great band. "It's 9:18; yeah it's coffee-colored evening, the headlights spin shadows on the ceiling; and I'm left here with the Gideon Bible, long strands of her hair trickle down the bed," Miles Kurosky sings on the amazing opener "Maroon Bible." On "Shotgun Dedication" Beulah adds a few Eastern musical touches combined with strong lead guitar to create a beautiful pop jewel "Eyes are blase, amputation is passe, life creates much ennui & there's nothing new to say." "I got a song prettier than your girlfriend, I got a song, it's cooler than you; you're just so hip; you open the gates of heaven; being cool, is that all that you do?" Miles asks on the addictive "Rust With Me," and follows with a lyric something like "you got the stiff for second-hand clothing, seven inches, yeah you get so hard." "Delta" has a soft acoustic opening with airy vocals. Beulah is a riveting band because they are both melodically and lyrically inventive and original. This set has great variety and is consistently strong from track to track. Seek & you shall find. Bravo!

this cd is definitely one of my top 20......weezer-ish pop but with more of the weird playful experimental twist that all elephant 6 artists seem to have (neutral milk hotel, olivia tremor control, the apples in stereo, gerbils, minders, marbles, chocolate usa, etc. etc.) get this. now. lv, soussan.

probably the album i listen to the most of beulahs. they are all good but i just like how it sounds like some of the songs are recorded in a garage. theres something about low production (lo-fi)that makes me want to listen again and again.

When I find a band I enjoy, I tend to dig deep into their catalog to see if there is more. In the case of Beulah, whose latter albums are a true musical joy, this first release from the band proved to be a challenge to find at a price that was anywhere close to matching my desire to hear it. Once I did secure a copy, I have to admit I was a tad disappointed at the band's lo-fi, garage band sound. Simply put, while there are some brilliant songs here by Kurosky and Swan, they never achieve the opulence that comes with expanded instrumentation, improved musicianship, and enhanced production that emerges on their later albums. Yet as I gave this CD continued listens, the initial appeal of this band became more clear -- superb songcraft, provocative lyrics, and excellent song structures. I would love to have seen the band rerecord some of these songs later, but they were too busy creating new pop gems.