AWmusic

Real Estate a band out of New Jersey and signed to rising label Woodsist released their fantastic debut on November 17th of this year. As it is, I’m late with every album review (and my top of the year lists – just be patient), and this is one last review I wanted to get in for the year.

I really enjoyed their music while I listened on their myspace which was more dream pop with hints and psychedelic. The music doesn’t demand much real estate of your brain yet at the same time I feel like it brings me to a great comatose state. With it’s slow soothing pace, Real Estate keep to their specific style and they do it to near perfection. While I believe what they do isn’t nearly as creative or innovative, I just downright enjoy listening to the album. It’s become an album where I’d simply rather prefer to keep listening then finally write my album review.

Martin Courtney’s vocals complement the music very well, as it is very soft and not at all overpowering. It may be simply just solid or good but I can’t really tell as it seems more of a product of Real Estate’s chosen style. The guitar work is what really takes the cake, while not trying to take over at the same time it’s the centre of attention. Rhythmically there seems to be a fine touch that many bands don’t have.

Criticisms of the band and album are pretty clear cut. Real Estate sticks to their style which involves seemingly very little effort to make great music. In a way the music refuses to be great and satisfied and while I’d fault most bands for doing this, for whatever reason I think they made the right choice. Not original, nor outworldly skilled, Real Estate has just made a very good album.

Rating: 4.5
Black Lake by Real Estate
Beach Comber by Real Estate