Previously on Stereogum, we’ve discussed Real Estate singles “It’s Real” and “Green Aisles” from the Jersey indie rockers’ forthcoming Days, and now the whole record has hit the web via NPR’s First Listen series. It’s a characteristically breezy, hook-laden listen that showcases Martin Courtney’s progression as a songwriter without sacrificing the band’s signature vibe. How does it stack up to the self-titled debut, or the 12”, Reality?
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I’m loving this album up 24/7. It’s not a huge stretch in direction, but as you mentioned, Courtney’s songwriting has become stronger and therefore, it makes it a pretty great autumn listen. I had the chance to see them over the summer, and these new songs actually come off sounding like rockers live, so that’s a nice plus.
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I like this.
…and will definitely see them live.
Meh. I’m not hearing a whole lot different from the first album, which would be fine if I liked the first album better. This is good, but it just seems like there’s a lot of stuff to listen to that’s better, and there are only so many hours in a day. I’m still waiting for them do something else as good as Beachcomber.
I’m not saying this release is a bad thing, but I just hate that this band’s name keeps reminding me of Sunny Day Real Estate… It’s so… Misleading…
/emo-tear
That’s what kept coming up every time I searched for the album, that and actual real estate companies.
This is why if I ever start a band I’m going to call it Two Girls, One Cup.
Agreed. It’s going to be a pain in the ass explain to my old school indie friends the difference when I recommend them this album.
It’s stupid how good this album is. Still, no song as great as Beachcomber…
I still cannot decide if Green Aisles is better than Beachcomber. All in all, I think this is a much better album than their first. Although it is not very different, you can tell that they are growing as a band, with better writing and better crafted songs. Very excited to get this when it comes out.
I love this. It has the same vibe and sound as their previous one(s), but Days feels more calculated. It’s very evident that they spent a lot of time crafting the lyrics and song structures on this one. Days is definitely on par, if not better than the debut…actually, probably better.
I loved their past releases… but it’s obvious how much better the songwriting has gotten. Even on the instrumental *Kinder Blumen*.
And *Out of Tune* is still unreal. I’m so glad they included it on the LP.
Still think Reservoir #3 is worthy of inclusion. Regardless, it’s a glorious record that will illuminate the cooler months.
you pick a generic band name like “real estate,” uh oh, that’s very close to another very respected band, SDRE. ok, not so bad. but then what did they do? name your album “days” ! good thinking, guys. next album should be called “sunny” ! it’s what 90% of music bloggers write about them anyway.
That’s funny, good point. Why are so many bands’ names and titles so derivative these days?
stereogum, you can finally stop looking for that new writer
Really liking this. Can I just say that their album art reflects their sound perfectly?
Does anyone know if Etienne, the drummer left the band, and if so, if he recorded on this album? Pitchfork put up some live vids last week and he wasn’t on the kit…
All the promo pictures for the album have depicted them as a three-piece with Alex, Matthew and Martin. When I saw them in May, I want to say Etienne was not on the drums and was filled in by a shorter guy with long possible dyed blonde hair:
yeah he did, it sounds like a new drummer…although ive only heard it’s real
Yeah, Etienne is no longer the drummer and I don’t think he recorded on Days (I might be wrong). The drums (and the musicianship in general) sound a lot tighter on this album, which I actually think is to its detriment. If you listen back to the drum tracks on their s/t debut (the propulsive railroad beat of ‘Beach Comber’; that weird rubbery flex in ‘Pool Swimmers’; the flat thud of ‘Suburban Dogs’; the splashy toms in ‘Fake Blues’; the ride/jam block groove of ‘Let’s Rock The Beach’), they’re much looser, which is fundamental in cultivating that insouciant atmosphere. That said, it’s still a lovely album, with some gorgeous turns. I think it’ll grow on me with time, but I don’t think I’ll come to love it like I do their debut.
Aw damn, I hadn’t realized he left. I liked him a lot at the shows I went to.
Thank you for the days, those endless days, those sacred days you gave me!
I think it’s great, obviously not a huge departure from their first record but definitely a step forward, unfortunately I feel like I had heard 80% of the songs already whether released as singles or demos but they are still great songs. The highlights for me were some that I hadn’t heard like “Municipality” and “Wonder Years”, stoked Alex Bleeker sang on WY too, it feels like everyone is contributing and making the band better. Saw them live a couple of times this last year and they don’t disappoint on that front either.
i. fucking. love. this. band.
Amazing album! Great follow-up to their debut. I will definitely be seeing them live next month!
I’m from Ridgewood where these guys reminisce about so much and know that a lot of the indie bands from this area were heavily influenced by Weezer. And it may be a bit of a stretch but I definitely hear some Cuomo inspired vocal progressions and melodies, granted they are drowned and less pronounced I still think Cuomo is coming through in Courtney’s melodies.
I’m from Budd Lake and nobody cares you’re from Ridgewood. Do you also like Titus Andronicus cause they are from New Jersey too, which always seems to come up whenever a Jersey band is decent. Like does anyone on here know where Wavves is from? Or Feist? Or Weezer orig? It’s as if anything good that comes from New Jersey must be credited to the state to make up for all the other garbage Belmar shits out. That said, I’m from North Jersey. I wanted to be specific about that.
why you mad though?
Did you catch the part where I live in New Jersey?
Like in my state instead of Magellan we’d just call you Mags. But if you lived in in South Jersey they’d prob call you “Fags or Magina”. Again, I’d like to reiterate that I’m from North Jersey and fully support your alternative lifestyle.
Trolling the interwebs iz cooolll.
NPR seems to care about Ridgewood, that’s our country’s public radio.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2010/08/12/129162870/ridgewood-n-j-why-here-why-now
i’m from canada. if you lived in canada you wouldn’t be so mad.
Like big empty loft over the world’s greatest house party. Somebody once said this of Canada and I think it’s unfair. All things being equal though, your avatar lacks imagination,
You seem terrible. But you probably already know that.
Didn’t make sense, I’am also a huge fan.. But not like you guys.. Bitter*
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