You may remember Two Door Cinema Club for their catchy track which finally hit the airwaves across the UK with “Something Good Can Work,” from their first album, “Tourist History.” Now with “Beacon,” they have given the audience something stellar.
This band has grown from being a small indie band from Ireland with their first major American gig opening for Phoenix back in 2010 to now being in the bigger stages across European festivals from Glastonbury, Leeds, Reading, to Isle of Wright. Two Door Cinema Club has stopped by Houston already three times, each at a different venue: Opening for Phoenix at Bayou Music Center (Verizon Theatre), Studio at Warehouse Live, and most recently at this year’s Free Press Summer Fest where the band announced, “Here are a few songs from our new album.” Now, with the songs available in their studio versions there is much to discuss about their album.
The majority of the album introduces new instruments to their tracks from string to air instruments to an emphasis on the synthesizer. This is a clear example in, “Next Year,” which opens with a synthesizer lyrically talking about the constant touring of the band. In the following track, “Handshake,” the synthesizer not only opens the track but assists the rhythm guitar to have them work in unison as to add to the pulsating dance beat sounding similar to something by “Yeah Yeah Yeahs”. The album itself also incorporates a more disco styled synthesizer that is common now by “M83” and “Sigur Ros.”
Not all of the experimentation by the band worked for the better of the album such as in the case of the song, “Sun,” whose mundane and horrifically simplistic tone. The part which does make this track belong to this album is the stylish riffing which is a new feature done by the band on a number of tracks on the album, but falls short to a bare minimum in comparison to the remainder or “Beacon.”
Throughout the album the riffing of the guitar plays its role as in the case of the track, “Wake Up.” The song is already a catchy dance track which is only amplified towards the end with the rocking and foot-tapping guitar riffs. The shredding of the guitar at the end of the track makes it an astonishing ending which fits this new style of the band.
Although the band is growing and their sound is shifting and molding from their more “novice” tracks, there are still tracks on here which remind fans why they fell in love with the band such as the single of this album “Sleep Alone.” The snare and guitar are nearly fused together and cooperate to only bring out the vocals during the chorus and creating the sound we are accustomed to by the band and ending with a choir in the background. This track is the catchiest and holds a chorus which fans will most likely scream during a show from the band.
Also, “The World Is Watching,” could be considered this albums version of a more mature, “What You Know.” The scheme of the song is the same as their hit but only holds a more profound tone which gives off a vibe that is more tranquil. It also has a synthesizer in it which makes the track more dance-driven at times but still holds its eloquence. The style of the track is a reminder of other indie bands such as Young the Giant, Foals, and Givers but still the band holds their own and distinguishes its self by having a choir singing, “I want you with me,” being the love song of the album.
Although there are songs which are reminiscent of “Tourist History,” this is a completely different album which demonstrates that they are no longer just a bunch of kids making music. They have grown and their popularity has assisted them in making these tracks what they are now. This album is a must have for fans of the band and even for new listeners, not because of the difference between their earlier work, but because of the distinguished sound of the band. If you are unable to go see them at Austin City Limits on Sunday October 14th, then catch the band at House of Blues on October 12th.
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