Though it seems like long ago, it's only been two years since Best Coast thrust themselves into our lives with their sterling debut Crazy For You. Though not a game-changer by any means, that record was so top-to-bottom solid that the group quickly jumped to the upper echelon of indie rock. Now the members Best Coast, led by frontwoman Bethany Cosentino, are ready to capitalize on all that attention with the release of their new album The Only Place.

Continuing Best Coast's trend of shout outs to their home state of California, The Only Place's cover features a grizzly bear (Cali's state animal) hugging the coastal state. Inside are more tunes filled with the band's characteristic reverb, yet sounding surprisingly clean. If you think this new LP is a bit "fuller" than the last, you're probably noticing the involvement of super-producer Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Of Montreal, Kanye West). His production really gets the best out of Bethany's vocals; tracks like "The Only Place" sound like she could be the vocal double of Neko Case, which is no small compliment.

If you're in the mood for some summer music that's so simple and perfect that it can't help but be timeless, you could do no better than to throw on Best Coast's Character Approved new album The Only Place.

[Image: Best Coast]