Cali enthusiast rejoice: Best Coast's The Only Place album review

Best Coast released its sophomore album The Only Place this month just in time for summer.

Some of the newer songs are a bit redundant mainly because they start off with the same guitar and drum intro (“The Only Place,” “Why I Cry,” and “Let’s Go Home”), but regardless of this minor set back the new songs are magnificent in their simplicity. Clear and precise, the record’s sound is flourishing and straightforward. Less bouncy than 2010 Crazy For You, the album has a good mixture of sad sentiment and off the wall shennantics.

Two pre-Crazy For You songs "Dreaming My Life Away" and "Up All Night" were reworked to fit on the record and are stunning. I had to go back and listen to the originals to compare them. Once a confusing mess of emo surf pop the songs now reflect the shiny inner turmoil that is equally poignant and refreshing.

The older versions are full of fuzzy guitar, weak layered vocals that are lo-fi to the core.

Heart wrenching and sweet, the new version of "Up All Night" offers up a clearer view into singer Bethany Cosentino’s psyche. It is a song full of longing. Instead of the fuzzy guitars and lo-fi layered vocals, "Up All Night" is distinct yet follows closely the classic Best Coast style fans have grown to love.

 

“Let’s Go Home” is probably the most fun song off of The Only Place besides the title track "The Only Place," an open love letter to California. Loud and energetic, “Let's Go Home” is the kind of song that makes listeners want to jump on their beds on in all its bratty glory. It's a modern anthem for homebodies everywhere in a similar vein to Weezer's "In the Garage."

On the flip side, songs like “My Life” and "No One Like You" are dripping with whiny girl rock sentiments that border on the edge of twee pop absurdity. Somehow, it works. Cosentino croons her tragic love stories of heart break and loneliness like a pro.

Bethany’s pain is beautiful. She sings with depth and precision unlike anyone else and always manages to keep it fun.

Listen to: “Better Girl,” “How They Want Me To Be,” and “Up All Night.”