For the Record... - 1/21/09

MTV’s newest hit show “Jersey Shore” threatens to ravage memories of a place that defined my childhood summers. (I promise you, the “shore” is more special than “The Situation” may make you believe.)

Thankfully, though, Real Estate’s self-titled release has restored some of the Jersey Shore’s dignity, as it explores — in psychedelic style — a place that has shaped the lives of many New Jersey locals.

Still, Real Estate touches on themes that almost any person who has spent time at the beach can relate to. Consider some of the track titles: “Beach Comber,” “Snow Days,” “Pool Swimmers” and “Suburban Dogs,” to name a few. And the overall sound of the album reflects this ever-present beach-y theme.

The vocals are almost dripping wet in reverb; repetitive melodies and looping guitars imitate the general laziness that consumes our early summers; and most of the songs — which seem to spontaneously emerge from a late afternoon jam session — remind me of the necessary creativity during a time where you have, literally, nothing to do.

The album opens with “Beach Comber,” an upbeat pop tune that tells the story of, surprise, a “beach comber” — a man with a metal detector searching for buried belongings. However, the song is not as depressing as the thought of this futile activity may seem.

In fact, the song seems to revel in a child’s thought process, which sees the beach comber as a treasure seeker — a pirate who happens to be looking for a more realistic reward. The triumphant guitar solo at the end recreates the excitement of a “find.”

Similarly, “Snow Days” returns to “thinking about the old days.” The song, which opens with impressive acoustic picking, longs for days passed with no responsibility. The chorus is a heartfelt croon. At the end of the song, however, the melody picks up, leading to a triumphant finish. This is, of course, the way things go: at first we long for what has passed, but then realize the positive power of memory.

Other songs, like the short instrumental “Atlantic City,” are just fun to dance to.

The song reminds me of local town’s teen ball from a different time, where people had just a bit more class than the “The Situation.” And even others, like “Pool Swimmers” and “Let’s Rock the Beach,” capture the haziness and laziness of summer. The bass in “Pool Swimmers” is as slick and fluid as water.

At times, however, this lazy, jammy guitar noodling becomes excessive. I like that the album is as free-form as Jack Kerouac’s writing, but sometimes this technique is exhausting. Overall, though, I am pleased with Real Estate’s debut album because it successfully describes a time and a place with which that I am familiar.

Unfortunately, it is winter in Vermont and it will be some time before I can listen to the album at the wonderful Jersey Shore.