Best Coast: The Only Place

     

     Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, the duo that make up Best Coast, the lo-fi homage to Pacific Coast angst and alienation, have released their second LP, The Only Place, with similar results to their breakout Debut.  Best Coast follows what seems to be the exact formula that they left off at, as the album praises Los Angeles, and pines for romance over surf pop fuzz.  While this is not necessarily a bad thing, Best Coast have clearly found their comfort zone, and seem content to not venture far from it.  Almost three years of success and maturation should theoretically give Cosentino more lyrical depth, but she still sings of teenage alienation.  The simple lyrics leaves Bruno with the only option to create simple music to accompany it.  Bruno's production is beautifully fitting, but it leaves the listener wondering the band's potential.  The Only Place's slower tempo, however,  drastically sucks the energy out of the garage rock sound. 
     The Only Place is by no means a flop; there is plenty of stuff on the album, and most of what made Crazy for You (their debut) so much fun is still present on this effort.  And even though the slower tempo siphoned much of the enthusiasm out, credit its still due to Best Coast for attempting to try a new direction, and as the duo continues to grow together, the subdued sound may work.  While The Only Place was certainly a sub-par release, the band still has a bright future, and fans will be intrigued as Best Coast works to find what works for them.