The Only Place, is Best Coast’s follow up to their acclaimed 2010 debut album, Crazy for You. The latest release from the Southern Californian duo sees the band take a slightly different approach, adopting mellowed and more pensive songwriting dynamics.
Bethany Cosentino’s infectious chorus lines seem to have taken a back seat on many of the titles on The Only Place, with the record seeming to lack that initial allure that was so prevalent on the band’s first release. What it does convey however, is the inherent quality and beauty in Cosentino’s voice, stripping back the reverb-soaked serenades that once defined her and allowing her vocal capabilities to shine through more clearly.
In place of the catchy, reverberating choruses are rather languorous, anecdotal musings that seem to ebb and flow in a genial and undeniably pleasant fashion.
Despite tracks like ‘Do You Love Me Like You Used To’ making an undeniable attempt at immersing some of that initial magic into this record, at the same time, these attempts still seem to fall short of the immediacy of hits like ‘Boyfriend’ and ‘When I’m With You’.
The Only Place‘s potential is undeniable and there is certainly a sense of richness and refinement that wasn’t present on the band’s first album. Although there is certainly a shift in style and approach, it is clear that this decision was a conscious one, and that Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno have tried to further define their repertoire, rather than settling for simply reassuring what fans have already come to know and love.
Despite the presence of somewhat unnecessary and obvious fillers, the record speaks quite simply but strongly, conveying a different take on the same recipe, which is not particularly outstanding, but maintains an agreeable richness that gives this record its distinct value.
-Morgan Benson
