Bethany Cosentino takes everything us non-Californians crave during these cold winter months and shoves it in our faces. You and I both know we would too if we lived in sunshine all year round. But we don't. We see snow. Seriously, I feel like the only time I ever see those "Visit California" commercials on TV is during the dead of winter. Sometimes they really are tough to watch. And I have to admit when Best Coast shuffles its way into my ear-buds during these cold months I have to press next because I know that when I walk out the door I won't be wearing sandals, holding a surfboard on my way to the beach.
But despite the envy and seasonal ignoring I embark on every winter with Best Coast, that can all end soon enough. And I really shouldn't be complaining because this has been one of the warmest winters on record but, nonetheless when I wake up, I'm not in California. And its perfect timing for Bethany and company to release the some news about their forthcoming sophomore album titled "The Only Place" [I wonder what that's a reference too...] The album comes out May 14th and recently Bethany has been so kind as to release the album's and art work.
Now if you call yourself a Best Coast fan and can think back to what appeared on the cover of their first album, "Crazy For You" it was quite stereo-typically stoner Californian all the way- a beach with palm trees and a sunset, a cat with an outline of California on its hind legs and a map of Southern Cal within the block type print of the band's name at the top of the cover. We all also know through various interviews that Bethany does have a weird obsession with cats, so in turn, I was shocked to find a large bear take center stage of "The Only Place." Its quite different than the previous cover for that matter. The vibrant red yellow green theme has been replaced for a more conservative tan and brown colorway. If you want to get even more Freud with this, could it be a sign of big changes in the band's signature sound?
I hope not and I seriously doubt it. Sure the album cover isn't as flashy as before, there's no cat on the cover but the bear is very reassuring. I sense that through its "bear hugging" of California that Bethany still has her priorities right. She loves California and we love listening to her remind us of it, so I don't sense anything too drastic in the near future.
Best Coast hasn't released any singles from the upcoming album, but when they do, I'll be ready with a post and a tweet. In the mean time, anyone falling upon this post who is not familiar with Best Coast, I posted some songs from the first album below the artwork to give you a small sample. Feel free to give your thoughts and opinions in the comments below
+I just realized how much I managed to write about a simple cover unveiling. Am I over indulging with spring [summer] fever?
+I just realized how much I managed to write about a simple cover unveiling. Am I over indulging with spring [summer] fever?
+ Best Coast's second album "The Only Place" comes out May 14th
"Crazy For You" and "The End" from Best Coast's 1st album "Crazy For You"
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