What makes The Coast Is Never Clear by Beulah notable?

The album received positive reviews from critics, earning a spot on several year-end lists for its unique blend of indie pop and rock elements. Its standout tracks and clever songwriting contributed to Beulah's reputation as influential figures in the indie rock revival of the early 2000s. Released on September 11, 2001, The Coast Is Never Clear marked Beulah's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed release When Your Heartstrings Break. At this stage in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the indie rock scene, building on their previous successes while navigating the evolving musical landscape of the early 2000s.

How many songs are on The Coast Is Never Clear?

The Coast Is Never Clear has 12 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

The Coast Is Never Clear

Beulah · 2001

41 min · 12 tracks · indie rock

A tapestry of jangly guitars and poignant lyrics, blending melancholy with a playful sense of irony.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Good Man Is Easy to Kill — This track encapsulates the album's introspective themes and showcases Beulah's signature blend of catchy melodies with darker lyrical undertones.
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Silver Lining — With its upbeat tempo and engaging hooks, this song serves as a perfect contrast to the album's more somber moments while highlighting the band's knack for juxtaposition.
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Gravity's Bringing Us Down — The song features lush instrumentation and reflective lyrics that beautifully convey feelings of uncertainty and longing, making it a pivotal moment on the record.
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Night Is the Day Turned Inside Out — This closing track merges intricate arrangements with evocative storytelling, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of introspection as the album concludes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album combines catchy melodies with thoughtful lyrics, though it lacks a strong cohesive arc.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of jangly guitar riffs that create a bright, melodic backdrop for the lyrics.
Tracks often shift dynamics, with several songs starting softly before building to more energetic choruses.
Lyrical themes blend irony and melancholy, with many songs employing conversational phrasing and vivid imagery.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Hello Resolven 1:49
2 A Good Man Is Easy to Kill 4:20
3 What Will You Do When Your Suntan Fades? 4:05
4 Gene Autry 3:35
5 Silver Lining 2:35
6 Popular Mechanics for Lovers 3:04
7 Gravity's Bringing Us Down 4:39
8 Hey Brother 3:28
9 I'll Be Your Lampshade 4:12
10 Cruel Minor Change 2:26
11 Burned by the Sun 2:47
12 Night Is the Day Turned Inside Out 4:12

What to play next

Listen next

Yoko

2003

Go back to

When Your Heartstrings Break

1999

Full Beulah discography Artists like Beulah

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata