CD of The Week

Best Coast’s charming, lo-fi debut Crazy For You was an excellent, fuzzed out treat in the summer of 2010. The pair of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno saw their profile explode as an indie blog favorite, based on the strength of the single “Boyfriend.” Even Cosentino’s cat Snacks became “Internet famous!”

When I saw Best Coast last summer open up for The Decemberists, I was impressed by Cosentino’s voice when she came out from behind the hazy production of Crazy For You. Her vocals are front-and-center on The Only Place, the duo’s polished sophomore effort. Produced by Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Kanye West), The Only Place finds Cosentino channeling Jenny Lewis and (or maybe even Neko Case) for a winsome-yet-dark set of crystal clear, jangling tunes. The title track and lead single, a great ode to the band’s home state of California, kicks off the record. “No One Like You” channels ‘50s girl groups with its swaying rhythm while there is a wistful sadness to “Last Year.” The twangy, upbeat “Let’s Go Home,” emotional “How They Want Me To Be” and jaunty “Better Girl” are among the other highlights of The Only Place.

Critics may chide Cosentino for her lyrics, which can be quite straightforward and simplistic at times, but I find them mostly honest and direct, and that isn’t a bad thing in my book. Best Coast returns to Philadelphia on July 16th, with Those Darlins opening up, at Union Transfer.