Beachheads - Beachheads II

 

I reviewed Beachheads' 2017 debut album (here) and the follow up is every bit as great. The Norwegian quartet still largely reside in an area that is a cross between UK New Wave Pop Rock and 80s US Power Pop, however the palette, influences even, stretches out further.

Beachheads manage to make the album earthy without ever losing sight of the Pop. Down South, for instance edges towards UK Twee Indie Pop. Shine is like Danny McNamara fronting The Lighting Seeds. Death Of A Nation could be The Housemartins.

10,000 Hurts is 60s UK Beat Pop with hints of Psych Pop, Live And Let Live verges towards Campfire Folk, Nothing is great New Wave Power Pop. Yet, Change is splendidly latter day R.E.M. and Jupiter is very 90s Not Lame.

So the variation is easy to see, but the album never ever loses sight of the Pop as its heart and soul. The album may wander between styles, but there is a real binding of feel good, chipper, Summer goodness. A fine second album that continues were the debut album left on and takes the band further.

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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Beachheads - Beachheads

I've been banging on about how much great Pop and Rock has been coming out of the Scandinavian countries lately, ably assisted by my good friend Nick Fletcher. Norwegian band Beachheads are another fine example.

The band come across as a UK New Wave Band from the late 70's or the more melodic outfits of Brit Pop. Lots of Riffs, I've seen comparisons to The Only Ones and I can see that, but the vocals are far more akin to Pete Wylie.




The whole album is great singalong Power Pop, reminds me a lot of the bands that were coming out of Liverpool's second Merseybeat, a scene I know all too well. Then along comes something like Reverberations which is pure Plimsouls or Paul Collins.

Procession could be The Pale Fountains and the album's closer, It Feels Alright sounds very Noel Gallagher and the brass adds to it. But time after time, I come back to Wylie and The Mighty Wah and that's a real compliment. This is a superb upbeat Power Pop album that deserves your attention.




You can listen to and buy the album here.