"Beach Life-in-Death" is a song by American rock musician Will Toledo under the Car Seat Headrest alias.[1] It was originally released for his sixth studio album Twin Fantasy (2011) as the longest track. It would be then re-recorded in 2017 for his eleventh studio album Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) (2018), a complete re-recording of Twin Fantasy following Car Seat Headrest turning into a band.
"Beach Life-in-Death" | ||||
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Single by Car Seat Headrest | ||||
from the album Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) | ||||
Released | December 13, 2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 13:19 | |||
Label | Matador | |||
Songwriter(s) | Will Toledo | |||
Producer(s) | Toledo | |||
Car Seat Headrest singles chronology | ||||
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"Beach Life-in-Death" | |
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Song by Car Seat Headrest | |
from the album Twin Fantasy | |
Released | November 2, 2011 |
Genre | |
Length | 12:10 |
Label | Self-Released |
Songwriter(s) | Will Toledo |
Producer(s) | Toledo |
Background
editAccording to Toledo, writing a track above ten minutes was influenced by the music of progressive rock band Pink Floyd.[2] Furthermore, he would wander around Williamsburg, Virginia completing the track.[2] He also noted that the writing process for this track was notably different from previous Car Seat Headrest projects, in the sense that:
"I wasn’t thinking about music unless I was literally working on it. Planning out “Beach Life-in-Death” and working on it was definitely where the palette of the album took place, where it was going to be this sort of carefully crafted thing that reflected a larger plan, not just a collection of songs."[2]
The re-recording surprise released on December 17, 2017, causing much speculation that the entirety of Twin Fantasy was going to be re-recorded soon. Only 10 days later, through an Amazon listing would the project be confirmed.[3]
Reception
edit2011 version
editSteve Hyden of Uproxx, while writing a guide to all Car Seat Headrest projects, described the track as the most stunning work Twin Fantasy had to offer. Moreover, they described it as a "harrowing psychodrama that recalls how the narrator “pretended to be drunk when I came out to my friends” before exploring the fantasizes he now has about murdering his boyfriend." Overall, they noted that the track, a "long, exploratory song composed of epic narratives and multiple musical movements" would become a staple of Toledo's sound in the future.[2]
2018 version
editThe re-recording received acclaim by critics and the public. Sasha Geffen of Pitchfork praised the single, stating that instead of "smoothing over" the original, it instead "reinvigorates" it. Elaborating, they state that the track "hits all the same itchy, unnerved points that Toledo usually favors in his sprawling rock guitar". They also state that the track is split into three unique sections, "like a matryoshka doll of rock tropes". Lyrically, they state that it would "oscillate between the mundanities of staying alive—eating, sleeping, working, eating again—and the jitters of negotiating a queer identity and relationship". Overall, they state that "Beach Life-in-Death", Toledo embodies making your skin crawl "with the kind of unhinged ferocity that only fits inside three songs wrapped into one."[3]
The A.V. Club was also favorable to the re-recording, stating that Toledo's "fiery energy" remains intact, describing the track as a "jaw-dropping series of gear shifts".[4] Collin Brennan of Consequence believed "Beach Life-in Death" to be the staple highlight of Twin Fantasy (Face to Face). They stated that the track "finds the young songwriter grappling with a queer identity amidst a loose, three-part structure that provides just enough support to withstand a storm of guitar solos, quasi-spoken monologues, and verses collapsing into bridges collapsing into codas". Overall, believing it to be a "breathtaking composition that demands multiple listens and rewards in each turn".[5]
Writing for The Guardian, Michael Hann believed the track showcased Toledo trying to "unpack his confusion and bitterness and resentment, with swoops into devastating clarity".[6] Hannah Vettese of Record Collector used "Beach Life-in-Death" as an example of how Toledo's lyrics have become "far clearer in the mix", elaborating by stating his ability to capture "angst, fury, depression, and joy of human life".[7] Tom Brewster of The Edge described "Beach Life-in-Death" as lyrically, being "cripplingly introspective" with "detailed lyrics" that pick apart "both unrequited love and the terrors of an increasingly modern age with a charmingly awkward flourish". they described the track as evolving from "bedroom rock" to an anthemic ballad of "teenage confusion". He also complemented the guitar work of Ethan Ives, describing them as sounding "strained" and "squealing"[8]
Legacy
editAmerican indie rock band Glass Beach covered the track as a standalone single on January 7, 2021.[9][10]
Personnel
editCar Seat Headrest
- Will Toledo
- Seth Dalby – bass
- Ethan Ives – guitar
- Andrew Katz – drums
Additional musicians
- Adam Stilson – various sounds
- Amanda Schiano di Cola – trumpet
Featured performances
- Will Toledo – "the nonbeliever"
- Andrew Katz – "1traitdanger"
- Hojin "Stella" Jung – "the artist"
- Reesa Mallen – "Margot"
Production
- Will Toledo – production, mixing
- Adam Stilson – engineering, mixing
- Jason Ward – mastering
References
edit- ^ "Music | Car Seat Headrest". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 2024-05-15.
- ^ a b c d "A Guide To All Of Car Seat Headrest's Pre-Fame Albums (All 11 Of Them)". UPROXX. 2016-10-28. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ a b Geffen, Sasha. "Car Seat Headrest: "Beach Life-in-Death"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ "Car Seat Headrest, Poliça/Stargaze, Brandi Carlile, and more albums to know about this week". The A.V. Club. February 16, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ "Album Review: Car Seat Headrest Blazes Forward by Looking Back on Twin Fantasy (Face to Face)". 2018-02-16. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ Hann, Michael (2018-02-16). "Car Seat Headrest: Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) review – striking remake with extra oomph". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ "Twin Fantasy - Record Collector Magazine". Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ "Review: Car Seat Headrest – 'Beach Life-In-Death'". The Edge. 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ "Glass Beach - "Beach Life In Death" (Car Seat Headrest Cover)". Stereogum. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ "beach life in death, by glass beach". glass beach. Retrieved 2024-08-05.