Wikipedia

Teen Dream

For other uses, see Teen Dream (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Teenage Dream.

Teen Dream is the third studio album by American dream pop duo Beach House. It was released on January 26, 2010 as the band's debut album on the record label Sub Pop. Internationally, the album was released by Bella Union in Europe, Mistletone Records in Australia, and Arts & Crafts in Mexico. The album was produced by the band and Chris Coady. The duo began recording the album after going on tour in support of their second studio album Devotion (2008), with sessions taking place at Dreamland Studios in Hurley, New York and DNA in New York City.

Teen Dream
Studio album by
Beach House
ReleasedJanuary 26, 2010 (2010-01-26)
RecordedJuly 2009
Studio
Genre
Length48:46
Label
Producer
Beach House chronology
Devotion
(2008) 		Teen Dream
(2010) 		Bloom
(2012)
Singles from Teen Dream
  1. "Used to Be"
    Released: October 21, 2008
  2. "Norway"
    Released: January 18, 2010
  3. "Zebra"
    Released: April 17, 2010

A dream pop and shoegaze album, Teen Dream was supported by three singles; "Used to Be", "Norway" and "Zebra". It is also their first album to be released under the Sub Pop record label, following their departure from Carpark Records in 2009. The album was met with critical acclaim from music critics, who praised the duo's change in sound and the album's instrumentals. It was also named as one of the best albums of 2010 by several publications. It debuted at number 43 on the US Billboard 200 with 13,000 copies sold within its first week of release, eventually selling a total of 140,000 copies as of May 2012.

Background and recording

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Beach House began recording Teen Dream after extensive touring of the Beach House's second studio album, Devotion (2008). Lead vocalist Victoria Legrand stated that while on tour "[they] definitely stored up a lot of energy and ideas that we had. By the end of the touring cycle we couldn't wait to get back home to start working on the next record. In some ways, touring is a restraint on the creative side, because it's hard to write on the road. So you just have to wait, and sit on this anticipation until the time you're able to spend days, weeks, months working on something."[1] Most of the album's recording took place at Dreamland Studios in Hurley, New York, with most of the production being done by Chris Coady.[2]

Teen Dream has been described by publications as a dream pop[3] and shoegaze album.[4] According to Paul Lester of The Guardian, the album uses "simple elements – spectral piano, shimmery organ, steady percussion, pedal steel, and languorous female vocals".[5] The duo strove to create a more "sophisticated" album and, according to the group, the demos of this record were comparable to the final tracks that made up their previous record. Also, their use of extensive reverb was held back significantly. According to Alex Scally "There's very little reverb on the record". Scally had also stated that the album was considerably more expensive, stating that, "Every bit of money we got, we spent. The recording was insanely expensive. Every single step of the way, we've just tried to go more, go further".[6]

Promotion and release

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"Used to Be" was released as the lead single from Teen Dream on October 21, 2008.[7] "Norway" was released on the band's website as a free download on November 17, 2009, as the second single from the album. A 7-inch single of it, which includes "Baby" as its B-side, was also released.[8][9] The full album was leaked onto the Internet a few days after the release of "Norway".[10] A four-track EP for "Zebra", the album's third single, was released on April 17, 2010, as a Record Store Day exclusive.[11] Teen Dream released on January 26, 2010, through Sub Pop. It was released internationally, through Bella Union in Europe, Mistletone Records in Australia, and Arts & Crafts in Mexico. The album was also released as a CD with an accompanying DVD featuring visualizers for each of the album's tracks.[12]

The album debuted 43 on the Billboard 200 with 13,000 copies sold in its first week. It has sold a total of 140,000 copies as of May 2012.[13] As of April 2012 Teen Dream has sold 21,000 vinyl copies in United States according to Nielsen Soundscan.[14] The song "Take Care" was used for the soundtrack of the 2020 film Chemical Hearts, in the film and during the end credits.[15] The song "Silver Soul" was sampled in Kendrick Lamar's song Money Trees from his 2012 album Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City.[16]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.8/10[17]
Metacritic82/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [19]
The A.V. ClubA−[20]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[21]
The Guardian     [22]
The Irish Times     [23]
NME9/10[24]
Pitchfork9.0/10[12]
Q     [25]
Rolling Stone     [26]
Spin8/10[27]

Teen Dream received critical acclaim. Review aggregator Metacritic, which collates reviews from various publications, indicates a score of 82 out of 100 from 35 professional critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[18] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.8 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[17]

Many reviews commented on the change in sound including BBC Music, who stated that "the most unmistakeable sound on Teen Dream is that of a band truly finding its own voice".[28] Several publications focused on Victoria Legrand's vocals, with Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone complimenting Legrand's "dusky torch singing"[26] and The Boston Phoenix praising her voice as "coiling like smoke in the arches of the church".[29] Robert Christgau, writing in MSN Music, selected "Lover of Mine" and "Norway" as highlights and awarded the album an honorable mention rating.[30] In a negative review, Tom Hughes of The Guardian felt that Teen Dream is "carefully, even beautifully arranged", but nonetheless "oddly icy and melodically a little ineffectual".[22] Audra Schroeder of The Austin Chronicle called the album "solid" but felt that it was "not Beach House's masterpiece," quipping that the duo "still got some gold dust to kick up".[31]

Accolades

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Teen Dream was hailed as one of the best albums of 2010. NME included it in their 2013 edition of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[32] The album was also included in the 2014 edition of the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[33] In October 2019, Pitchfork ranked it in the 21st position among the best albums of the 2010s.[34]

Publication Accolade Year Rank Ref.
American Songwriter Top 50 Albums Of 2010 2010
40
 [35]
Billboard Top 10 Albums of 2010 2010
5
 [36]
Clash Top 40 Albums of 2010 2010
5
 [37]
Consequence of Sound The Top 100 Albums of 2010 2010
7
 [38]
DIY 50 Albums of the Year 2010 2010
20
 [39]
Gorilla vs. Bear Top Albums of 2010 2010
1
 [40]
musicOMH Top 50 Albums Of 2010 2010
5
 [41]
NME 75 Best Albums of 2010 2010
3
 [42]
500 Greatest Albums of All Time 2013
203
 [32]
No Ripcord Top 50 Albums of 2010 2010
14
 [43]
Paste The 50 Best Albums of 2010 2010
24
 [44]
Pitchfork Top 50 Albums of 2010 2010
5
 [45]
The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far 2014
5
 [46]
The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s 2019
21
 [34]
PopMatters The 70 Best Albums of 2010 2010
7
 [47]
Prefix Best Albums Of 2010 2010
5
 [48]
Pretty Much Amazing Best Albums Of 2010 2010
6
 [49]
Q Top 50 Albums of 2010 2010
13
 [50]
Rolling Stone 30 Best Albums of 2010 2010
17
 [51]
Slant Magazine The 25 Best Albums of 2010 2010
15
 [52]
Spin The 40 Best Albums of 2010 2010
17
 [53]
Spinner 30 Best Albums of 2010 2010
1
 [54]
Sputnikmusic Top 50 Albums of 2010 2010
19
 [55]
Stereogum Top 50 Albums Of 2010 2010
3
 [56]
The Guardian The 40 best albums of 2010 2010
11
 [57]
Time The Top 10 Everything of 2010 2010
10
 [58]
Tiny Mix Tapes Favorite 50 Albums of 2010 2010
31
 [59]
Under the Radar Top 50 Albums of 2010 2010
3
 [60]

Track listing

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All lyrics are written by Victoria Legrand, except "Used to Be" co-written by Alex Scally; all music is composed by Beach House

No.TitleLength
1."Zebra"4:48
2."Silver Soul"4:58
3."Norway"3:53
4."Walk in the Park"5:22
5."Used to Be"3:59
6."Lover of Mine"5:06
7."Better Times"4:23
8."10 Mile Stereo"5:03
9."Real Love"5:20
10."Take Care"5:48
Total length:48:46
iTunes Store bonus tracks[61]
No.TitleLength
11."Norway" (single edit)4:03
12."Baby"3:01
Total length:55:50

A special edition DVD package was released containing either a CD or vinyl and a DVD, featuring psychedelic visuals for each track from Teen Dream, produced by a separate director.

Personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Teen Dream.[62]

Charts

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Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[63] 78
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[64] 10
US Billboard 200[65] 43
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[66] 6
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[67] 6
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[68] 9

References

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  1. ^ Carew, Anthony. "Interview: Victoria Legrand of Beach House". About.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  2. ^ Rettig, James (January 24, 2020). "Beach House's Teen Dream Turns 10". Stereogum. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Berman, Judy. "The 30 Best Dream Pop Albums". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  4. ^ McDuffie, Candace (9 July 2021). "Twin Shadow Is Finally Free on His Eponymous LP". Paste. Retrieved 31 December 2023. Beach House was eagerly trying to redefine the elusive genre of shoegaze with Teen Dream...
  5. ^ Lester, Paul (December 7, 2009). "Beach House (No 684)". The Guardian. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  6. ^ Interviews: Beach House. Pitchfork - interview by Joe Colly.
  7. ^ "CAK46 Beach House - Used to Be 7". Carpark Records. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  8. ^ Phillips, Amy (November 17, 2009). "New Beach House: "Norway"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Leitko, Aaron (November 19, 2009). "Beach House: "Norway"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
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  12. ^ a b Richardson, Mark (January 26, 2010). "Beach House: Teen Dream". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
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  14. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (20 April 2012). "Beach House: The Story Behind 'Bloom' and Indie's Most Reliable Duo". Billboard. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  15. ^ Gibson, Kelsie (23 August 2020). "Chemical Hearts: Here's the Haunting Song From the Film That You Can't Get Out of Your Head". Pop Sugar. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  16. ^ Weiss, Jeff (18 April 2020). "Kendrick Lamar's Money Trees Is A Time Machine". NPR. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
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  27. ^ Maerz, Melissa (December 23, 2009). "Beach House, 'Teen Dream' (Sub Pop)". Spin. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  28. ^ BBC - Music - Review of Beach House - Teen Dream BBC Music - album review by David Sheppard.
  29. ^ Brodeur, Michael (January 19, 2010). "Beach House | Teen Dream". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  30. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Beach House: Teen Dream". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
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  32. ^ a b "The Top 500 Albums of All Time, according to NME". Consequence of Sound. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  33. ^ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (2014). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN 978-0-7893-2074-2.
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  55. ^ "Sputnikmusic - Top 50 Albums of 2010: 30 – 11 « Staff Blog". www.sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  56. ^ "Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2010". Stereogum. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  57. ^ "The 40 best albums of 2010". The Guardian. 2010-12-11. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  58. ^ Suddath, Claire (2010-12-09). "The Top 10 Everything of 2010 - TIME". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
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  61. ^ "Teen Dream by Beach House on Apple Music". iTunes. 26 January 2010.
  62. ^ Teen Dream liner notes. Sub Pop. 2010.
  63. ^ "Beach House | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  64. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
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  66. ^ "Beach House Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
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