Summer quotes) and pulsing like the Velvet Underground, Beulah are augmented here by friends playing strings, horns, accordions, buzzy old organs and hand claps - twenty-three musicians in all. Mostly recorded in Beulah's practice space and mixed into vintage-AM-radio chewiness by the Apples in Stereo's Robert Schneider,
When Your Heartstrings Break works best when the band focuses on a single melodic or lyrical idea long enough to let it build some steam. On the album's highlight, "Emma Blowgun's Last Stand," Beulah swirl new instruments into a simple, percolating groove for almost three minutes before singer Miles Kurosky opens his mouth and resurrects Al Jardine's casual cool. (RS 812)
DOUGLAS WOLK
