Review Summary: Beach Slang show that their first EP was no fluke, and they are a band to watch out for.
Beach Slang has made a big splash out of nowhere this year. Their first EP
Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? quickly caught on with listeners because of their similarities to The Replacements, early Goo Goo Dolls, and Gin Blossoms, but clearly with their own approach to a well worn sound.
WWEWASB? is a driving EP full of poignant lyrics and fast, fuzzy guitar, and when it was announced that a second EP was going to be released in the fall, many expected that same energy level, but
Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street is a different beast. Released just in time for fall, Beach Slang have released a slower, more contemplative album than their debut. Don’t think for a second that it is any less powerful, though.
It should honestly come as no surprise that Beach Slang is arguably better at more midtempo songs, their sound is clearly suited for it, and James Snyder’s vocals and lyrics fit in perfectly. A taste of the lyrics, courtesy of highlight “Dirty Cigarettes”:
“This town is ***ed, but I don’t mind/It’s wrong enough, to feel alright”. Fuzzy guitar lines full of emotion and heartache cover the entire album, crafting the mood of the EP. “American Girls And French Kisses” sings about the fun of seeing a show in a basement, but the guitar lines are almost an acknowledgement that nothing can stay this fun indefinitely, and at some point this will all die. The EP is closed by “We Are Nothing”, an acoustic track that reminisces the hard times that no one could take away. A fitting end to an album full of high peaks.
Beach Slang knows how to wear their influences on their sleeve without feeling like a ripoff, mostly due to their impeccable songwriting. Over the course of two EPs, the group have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with going forward. They don’t waste a single moment of
Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street’s 11 minute runtime, giving you just enough to feel satiated while also making you beg for more. Here is hoping to an incredible full-length in the near future, and that Beach Slang hasn’t peaked too early, because there isn’t much higher that they can go.
