Beulah Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
There are a few things to be said about Beulah's fourth album, Yoko. First, it's not entirely wrong to wonder if the title itself represents the obvious -- that famous lady who's associated with things breaking up. Or it could very well be an acronym taken from the string-laced gem "You're Only King Once," but thoughts of heartbreaks and personal conclusions make Yoko breathe new life for Beulah. Some dealt with divorce during its recording and each member came to terms with accepting an "adult" way of life. Yoko is Beulah's most mature effort and darkest material to date, not to mention the band's bravest set. The sunny string and brass arrangements that made When Your Heartstrings Break and The Coast Is Never Clear so rich in texture aren't done away with completely, although loyalists might beg to differ at Beulah's decision to turn up the amps. Such a move shows how important it was for them to shed their twee pop style. Beulah is more than just a West Coast pop band. They have heart and soul in the vein of Wilco and the Flaming Lips, and that alone allows the beauty of Yoko to simply arrive. Roger Moutenot's and Miles Kurosky's shared production work is perfectly tailored to fit Yoko's melancholic charm while polished guitar hooks carry the weight of such sentimentality, specifically on "A Man Like Me" and "Landslide Baby." Lite pianos waltz with violins and woodwinds, adding to Yoko's moody aura on the cathartic "Me and Jesus Don't Talk Anymore." Kurosky's sincerity as a songwriter makes it clear that any kind of end doesn't have to be bitter, and "Fooled With the Wrong Guy" embraces this notion. Yoko, regardless of its many connotations, finds Beulah at a time where the bandmembers are personally and professionally comfortable. A switch in approach and sound definitely worked for them, and fans shouldn't be put off by Beulah's toughened confidence. [The 2006 edition came packaged with an additional CD of bonus material.] ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
'The Coast Is Never Clear'
Release Date 9/11/2001
Tracks 12
Label Velocette
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What The Critics Say
After the dazzling reception of 1999's When Your Heartstrings Break, Beulah wasn't concerned with following things up with something fashionable. The bandmembers were near masters of crafting the perfect pop song -- for themselves -- and quite comfortable with the process. The Coast Is Never Clear captures Beulah's classy cool indie pop, akin to what came before. Singer/songwriter Miles Kurosky's quirky lyrical rants are spry, and the personal experiences behind each song allude to Beulah's unabashed nature. From the twangy licks of the bittersweet "Popular Mechanics for Lovers" to the psychedelic soul tinker of "A Good Man Is Easy to Kill," Beulah gives way to a breaking heart. Sulking and wistful, the theme works and it's not beyond measure. The pop melodies are relaxed; the harmonies are solid. "I'll Be Your Lampshade" is Beulah's country take, with sweeping horns and a sad, pathetic harmonica wallowing over a lost love. It's not necessarily fit for tears, but The Coast Is Never Clear isn't necessarily joyless. The band is sarcastically sweet on "What Will You Do When Your Suntan Fades?," while emulating what everyone has faced in the role of eager, adoring wooer. Beulah's indie cred cannot be tarnished with The Coast Is Never Clear. It's not strict rock music -- it's basic. And it's good. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
'When Your Heartstrings Break'
Release Date 3/9/1999
Tracks 11
Label Sugar Free
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What The Critics Say
Beulah's sophomore record is another irresistible addition to the Elephant 6 canon -- artfully texturing its infectious guitar pop melodies with lush strings, woodwinds, and horns (courtesy of no less than 18 guest musicians), When Your Heartstrings Break delivers fully on the promise of the group's debut, Handsome Western States. What sets Beulah apart from their E6 peers is a straightforward pop sensibility that dreamier, more spaced-out counterparts like the Olivia Tremor Control or Elf Power lack -- for all of their flourishes, the 11 tracks which comprise When Your Heartstrings Break are at their core simple love songs; under their ironic surface, Miles Kurosky's lyrics possess a disarming sweetness which perfectly complements his buoyant melodies. Highly recommended. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
'Handsome Western States'
Release Date 1/1/1997
Tracks 12
Label Elephant 6
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Beulah is a Californian band. It's as simple as that. Miles Kurosky writes endearing pop songs that are cynical, bittersweet, or both, and there's nothing surf-rock about it. He and bandmate Bill Swan add a mean brass arrangement to their dual guitar work on their debut album, Handsome Western States. Beulah's crafty indie rock sound isn't as lo-fi as many make it out to be and while Kurosky's a big fan of Pavement, Handsome Western States is filled with a different kind of soul and a great big heart. From the lazy shimmy of "I Love John, She Loves Paul" to the punky good time of "Disco: The Secretaries Blues" and the countrified lament "Queen of the Populists," Handsome Western States is a solid introduction to Beulah's warm pop style. Reflecting upon teenage love is always memorable, and Beulah makes some of the confusion of those days seem OK. Handsome Western States is a sunburst of good music and as songwriters, the members of Beulah are onto something good. As musicians, they're a touch mediocre but that's not necessarily bad, either. They may be beginners in the studio; however, Handsome Western States is a great place to start. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
