Image courtesy of MySpace

What’s the Deal: If you haven’t experienced the dreamy, spectral indie pop group Beach House yet, then be sure that you will. This Baltimore-based duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally’s keys and guitar has been winning over fans mainly by word of mouth. Their last show in Austin during the beginning of March brought such a crowd that their next performance in town will no doubt have to be upgraded from Emo’s lounge to the outside stage. Beach House’s 2006 self-titled debut met with high critical acclaim. However, their latest, Devotion, isn’t making quite the same splash.

Their music is often compared to Mazzy Star. “Apple Orchard” from the self-titled disc has that same slow, echoey guitar wail and pretty, haunting vocals over the top of a steady organ and a drum machine. Devotion’s “Gila” is fashioned much the same way, but with a shimmering melody of ‘Oh’s and ‘Ah’s.

Something Interesting: They’ve recently made a bunch of videos all by different directors available on their official site and MySpace.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Master of None” and “Wedding Bell”

Beach House Official
Beach House MySpace

Photo by Sherry Cardino courtesy of MySpace

What’s the Deal: Not a badass heavy metal group or a band in the vein of At the Drive In. Although, the name certainly implies a degree of energy and aggression, both of which locals Cry Blood Apache have in stride, or so the stories say. Unfortunately, this installment is based mostly on passionate stories about their wildly interesting shows relayed by others. And apparently, the group isn’t at all picky about where they play (art shows, alleyways, massage parlors, etc.). The recorded music of CBA – Kaspar Glass, Hans Hinrich and Jason Chrien – has an ambient, slightly monotone, dismal post-something rock sound to it. But, by accounts from several reliable sources, the group sounds completely different live, more unraveled and experimental and prone to banging on various objects like trash cans.

“The Northern Travelers” off the EP of the same name is an electronically spastic, beat machine-driven, fuzzy, dystopian rock tune that could benefit from some berzerker-style, live performance antics. Fortunately for them, they have that. These guys must be aware that local bands need to bring a visually stunning and engaging show to capture the attention of an audience that could easily walk down the street to see one of the other five million bands in town.

Something Interesting: If you like the band, contact them. Chances are they’d play your house party.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Gone From My Mind”

Cry Blood Apache MySpace