glass beach - plastic death
Glass Beach is unapologetically themselves, embracing the chaotic beauty of their musical vision with open arms.
By: Heidi Bray
The pieces don't always fit together neatly, and the album's refusal to adhere to traditional structures may test the patience of even the most adventurous listeners.
The sophomore album plastic death from the Tacoma based quintet is a frenetic journey through a kaleidoscope of musical concepts, where vibrant colors clash and meld in a whirlwind of creativity. From the opening notes to the notes fading away on the final track, the album is a testament to the band's fearless experimentation and boundless imagination.
The album bursts open like a vibrant fabric with “coelacanth,” choosing a beastly 6 minute track to set us off. Each track on plastic death is a unique entity, brimming with ideas that intertwine and collide in unexpected ways. In many ways, glass beach decided to distil down the essence of a dozen genres into a single cohesive whole, reminiscent of a cleaner, more polished black midi.
Frenzied doesn't even begin to describe the changing time signatures and dynamic shifts, littered across the 13 tracks. The band thrives on progressiveness, seamlessly weaving intricate patterns of melody and rhythm that veer from furious to playful in the blink of an eye. You're never quite sure what the next riff will contain, but the instrumentation is incredibly fresh that your ears are happy to go along for the ride.
The juxtaposition of the saccharine sweet indie melodies on “guitar song” with moments of raging fury and energy, as seen in "cul-de-sac," is emblematic of glass beach's penchant for surprise. “cul-de-sac” is by far the most complete track on the album, (they nailed it) and is the song you would show your friend to introduce them to everything they’d need to know about the band.
Glass beach enjoys toying with listener expectations, lulling them into a false sense of security before unleashing a torrent of blast beats and screams. Throughout plastic death shades of Thom Yorke's ethereal vocals and Radiohead-esque soundscapes/bass grooves/electronic drum rhythms shimmer beneath the surface, adding depth and texture to the sonic tapestry. Tracks like "whalefall" and (in particular) "puppy" evoke echoes of '90s alternative rock, infused with a modern sensibility that keeps the sound fresh and relevant.
One of the album's strengths lies in its seamless transitions between tracks. Songs bleed into each other effortlessly, bridging ideas with a flourish of effects and ambiance. Refusing to linger too long on any one idea, almost bored by their own decision to repeat a riff, they constantly pushing forward in search of the next sonic frontier.
Their refusal to repeat an idea is only defeated by their refusal and aversion to capital letters—both a rejection of convention and a declaration of artistic autonomy. Without a doubt, glass beach is unapologetically themselves, embracing the chaotic beauty of their musical vision with open arms.
However, despite its myriad strengths, plastic death suffers from a sense of unfocused sprawl. The album is an intimidating repeat listen, diving in for a second helping of a 60 minute marathon of ideas is no easy feat.
While the album is undeniably new and bursting with ideas, it can feel scattered and meandering at times. Its sprawling length and tendency to veer off in unexpected directions may leave some listeners feeling adrift in a sea of sound. The pieces don't always fit together neatly, and the album's refusal to adhere to traditional structures may test the patience of even the most adventurous listeners.
plastic death is a bold statement from a band unafraid to challenge the boundaries of musical convention. It may not always fit neatly into preconceived boxes, but within its tangled web of sound lies a wealth of creativity waiting to be discovered. Dive in, and prepare to be dazzled.
