When last we left Best Coast at the tail end of 2010, they had put forth a fantastic album, Crazy for You, an album that instrumentally didn’t blow you away, buy lyrically was relatable, sentimental, and yearning. Hell, I had a crush on Bethany Cosentino after listening, she bore her soul in a way that I hadn’t heard in some time, and damn if she isn’t stunningly beautiful. Not to mention that the innocence that she displayed made you want to show her the world. OK, enough gushing. It’s 2012 now and we have a new album from the duo that is Cosentino and Bob Bruno, but a lot has changed, including my Bethany (If I didn’t have artistic integrity, I would put an emoticon at the end of that, but God damnit, we’re professionals, sort of.).

This time around, that outspoken, adventurous seeking girl has now become the introverted one who desires to be home. Now, she’s reverted to a Kurt Cobain kind of state where, as she says on the track “My Life,” “My mom was right, I don’t want to die, I wan’t to live my life.” Granted, nonstop touring, promotion and recording is no doubt a cause, but in a way that defeats the purpose of getting your music out there at the level that they have, and it alienates the friends and fans they’ve made.

With Jon Brion behind the wheel, a man that brought you Fiona Apple, Kanye West, and Of Montreal, this album is undeserving of his great talent. Granted, instrumentally, Best Coast are up to their same tricks, bringing you the nice summer companion to a hopefully less rainy time of the year. Let’s just say, with The Only Place, Best Coast have stepped on a shit ton of spiders and hope for the worst. As a fan, I feel betrayed for buying their first album, their iTunes sessions, and for oogling over Bethany (Yeah, there probably could be a restraining order from me, but I’ve contained myself thus far!). In the end, this album is just, eeeeeeeeh, and if that sounded like a donkey, well, hopefully you’re as frustrated as me. Sincerely, Kristoffrable, fan forever, but we need a break. Sorry, I know it’s internet based, but we need a break Best Coast. I’ll be thinking of you.

Album Rating: Borrow it from a Friend

Listening Co-efficient: Background Music

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