Beechwood: Inside the Flesh Hotel
Remember that hole you cut through your rug while rocking out to Beechwood’s debut album, Songs From The Land Of Nod (Alive! Naturalsound Records)? Perhaps it’s time to replace it, but be for warned for they have just released their follow up album, In the Flesh Hotel, so maybe just let those dancing feet loose on the hardwood for this one. In the Flesh Hotel covers enough musical ground in stellar fashion to satisfy even the most ardent record rat, and once again prove Beechwood to be valid contenders for the crown of “Saviours of Rock ‘n’ Roll” that gets kicked around every decade or so.
Imbued with a sinister grittiness that goes hand in hand with New York rock ‘n' roll, while revealing incredible melodies and hip swaying riffs. Add that to the no frills production, albeit a step up from their previous album, and Inside The Flesh Hotel takes on a timelessness that convinces you it could have easily been released at any point in the four decades since Television first plugged in at CBGB. As the band weaves fluidly through punk, glam and shoegaze, they always keep one foot firmly rooted in the Lower East Side, still haunted by the ghost of Lou Reed.
Album opener “Flesh Hotel” starts with a spidery, gothic guitar line that adds urgency to the hushed main vocals, before the song eventually breaks free from the restraint and culminates in a clamorous breakdown. “Bigot In My Bedroom” begs to be adorned in satin and sequences, while it coaxes you to employ your favourite T-Rex moves to full effect. “The Ram” hits a sweet West Coast groove that feels like The Velvet Underground recording at the Shangri-La Ranch in Malibu. The mid point of the album welcomes a raucous instrumental “Nero” that pushes forward through a tangle of distorted guitars, anguished screams, and drums sounding as though they are ready to collapse. It works as a nice counter point to some of the more hushed, pop moments, like a little grit in the polish.
Slip into your leather jacket, dip into the eyeliner and don’t forget the glitter.
You can buy In the Flesh Hotel here.