Just recently Beulah reissued their first LP, Handsome Western States. The out of print debut had been selling on Ebay for as much as $50. I have a burnt copy of the disc, but felt the need to support the reprint when it was redistributed this past month. Let me put it right out there, “I personally think Beulah is the best Elephant 6 band out there today.” Some might say, “Wait, you’re forgetting about Neutral Milk Hotel.” Yes, I agree NMH is good, but Jeff Mangum is so f- up, will they ever put out anything again? Probably not. That leaves Beulah, my personal favorite.
This disc was first issued back in 1997 under the Elephant 6 moniker. After two more pressings, Beulah decided to issue the record with Japanese cover art, most likely from lead singer Miles Kurosky stay in Tokyo. There are no remixes or bonus tracks with this pressing, just the original 14 tracks. “Maroon Bible” starts the album off with a catchy, though compromising single. The lyrics are unimpressive, but the melody just sucks you in. They have since reprised this song with a more intense tempo to bring a more rocking sound. On many of the tunes, the chorus is what brings the listener to nod their head up and down while wanting more of the same. “Slo-Mo for the Masses” strips Beulah from their multi-instrumentation, and produces a nice ballad featuring simple lyrics and an acoustic guitar. Although many of these tracks flow together, they are distinguishable enough with the numerous styles of each musician.
The downside to this album is its production. Reminiscent of old Guided by Voices albums, most of these songs were recorded on eight tracks which didn’t produce a spectacular sound. Approximately 20 musicians were used in the recording of this album. This comes out through the record as many of the songs are fused together from different recordings at different times. Voiceovers are off the mark and out of tune, while some tracks miss a smooth transition into their chorus.
This isn’t a spectacular album, but one that was able to acquire Beulah a large indie-pop audience. At the time of this album Beulah was more of a collaboration of friends and family that wanted to put out some songs they created. With the mild success of the HWS in the United States and Europe, the boys of Beulah were able to cut down to a 6-piece with rotating musicians. This was the record that got them there. This disc was first issued back in 1997 under the Elephant 6 moniker. After two more pressings, Beulah decided to issue the record with Japanese cover art, most likely from lead singer Miles Kurosky stay in Tokyo. There are no remixes or bonus tracks with this pressing, just the original 14 tracks. "Maroon Bible" starts the album off with a catchy, though compromising single. The lyrics are unimpressive, but the melody just sucks you in. They have since reprised this song with a more intense tempo to bring a more rocking sound. On many of the tunes, the chorus is what brings the listener to nod their head up and down while wanting more of the same. "Slo-Mo for the Masses" strips Beulah from their multi-instrumentation, and produces a nice ballad featuring simple lyrics and an acoustic guitar. Although many of these tracks flow together, they are distinguishable enough with the numerous styles of each musician.
The downside to this album is its production. Reminiscent of old Guided by Voices albums, most of these songs were recorded on eight tracks which didn't produce a spectacular sound. Approximately 20 musicians were used in the recording of this album. This comes out through the record as many of the songs are fused together from different recordings at different times. Voiceovers are off the mark and out of tune, while some tracks miss a smooth transition into their chorus.
This isn't a spectacular album, but one that was able to acquire Beulah a large indie-pop audience. At the time of this album Beulah was more of a collaboration of friends and family that wanted to put out some songs they created. With the mild success of the HWS in the United States and Europe, the boys of Beulah were able to cut down to a 6-piece with rotating musicians. This was the record that got them there.
1. Maroon Bible
2. Lay Low for the Letdown
3. Disco: The Secretaries Blues
4. The Rise and Fall of Our Hero's Reward
5. I Love John, She Loves Paul
6. Slow-Mo for the Masses
7. I've Been Broken (I've Been Fixed)
8. Queen of the Populists
9. Shotgun Dedication
10. Rust With Me
11. Delta
12. Dig the Subatomic Holdout #2
More about: Beulah
