Real Estate
Real Estate
Woodsist
On their first LP, newcomers Real Estate shimmers and sparkles with easygoing beach music and nostalgia for the carefree summer days of a forgotten childhood.
Strung together by the constant theme of water, lead singer Martin Courtney’s vocals echo and reverberate throughout, adding a fitting hazy sheen to the summery feel of the album. The lyrics aren’t especially mesmerizing or deep. In fact, when the songs transfer into the few instrumental tracks sprinkled into the album, the fact that there’s suddenly no singing doesn’t really hit you until the song is half over. But it’s OK because the lyrics aren’t the main focus, they’re just there to add to the aesthetic.
The most noticeable thing about the instrumentation is the vibrant mood it provokes. From the jangling guitars and tambourines of instrumental opener “Atlantic City,” you can’t shake the feeling that this band would be equally at home jamming on the boardwalk or in your backyard on a lazy summer evening. The hint of influence from ‘50s and ‘60s pop-rock classics helps to build an innocent yearning for days long gone.
Nothing is frantic or forced upon you as Real Estate is content to let you sit back (preferably in a beach chair) and dwell on their delicate electric guitars and steady percussion. But for all their jamming tendencies and dreamy summer day qualities, Real Estate remains engaging thanks to their intricate craftsmanship.
Packed with almost more than the recommended dosage of feel-good emotions, this album is the perfect survival tool for staying warm and cheerful through the long winter ahead.
Real Estate plays Local 506 tonight with It Is Rain In My Face. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. and costs $8
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
