While the ‘side project’ tag still gets thrown around these days, it often feels a little redundant. Why can’t a band made up of musicians who happen to be in other bands just be called, well, a band? Calling something a side project makes the final product feel redundant, as if the same effort hasn’t been put into it that the members give their day job.
When we caught up with Norway’s Beachheads earlier on this year, who feature Vidar Landa and Marvin Nygaard of Kvelertak, Landa was adamant that their self-titled album was no mere side project. The only difference, apart from the stark contrast in sound to that of Kvelertak, is they can’t tour as much. They have poured their heart and soul into the record, and explored a different side of their creative minds.
While far from genre defying, Beachheads pop-driven indie rock is warm, inviting, and familiar. Each composition, from the brit-pop baiting ‘Moment Of Truth’, to the effervescent vibe of ‘Your Highness’ has been well thought out. The uplifting, major key hooks make the simple structure of the tracks infectious and vibrant.
Throughout the album, Beachheads wear their influences proudly on their sleeve. They owe a debt of gratitude to The Replacements, Lemonheads and Sugar; but don’t confuse them with a tribute act. ‘Give Me Some Love’ is dripping in charm, while ‘Monologues’ is punk rock disguised as a pop song. Not exactly what you would consider original, but refrains from being stale or trite.
Lyrically, there’s little room for metaphor on this record, and it is all the better for it. The honesty that spills from each track, be they about love, life, and death, are delivered with sincerity and straight from the heart. It means you know what you’re getting with the saccharine ode to romance on ‘Una’. It gives an added layer of sincerity to the grief-stricken narrative of ‘Procession’.
How far Beachheads will go remains to be seen, given the time they can dedicate to the band, but their debut album is great starting point. Hopefully there will be a lot more from them in the future, but for now, they have crafted an album of shimmering power-pop glory.
GLEN BUSHELL