THE FRESH & ONLYS

House of Spirits

2014-06-16

   House of Spirits is the fifth release from San Francisco band, The Fresh & Onlys. For this one, the band explores sub-genres of the alt-rock sound.  At times keyboards back morose vocals, a-la mid-80's new wave ("Home is Where").  Other times the vocals sport 00's-style indie rock reverb ("I'm Awake", "April Fools", "Candy"). Yet at other times the songs have fuzzy shoe-gaze guitar ("Bells of Paonia"). Then there is the garage rock of "Hummingbird".  These songs seem to ride the cusp of these sub-genres of rock, with the band never fully embracing the sound.  All the songs have an underlying blandness.  Perhaps its the continuity of Tim Cohen's vocals that ties the songs together in this way.  All in all, this album is listenable, but there is nothing here that makes me want to take a second listen.      

Rebecca Ruth   

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 12/1969

    THE RED BUTTON
    She’s About to Cross My Mind

  • reviewed 06/2010

    DEER TICK
    The Black Dirt Sessions

  • reviewed 04/2007

    PUNCHING BEE MUSIC
    Volume One

  • reviewed 06/2011

    FOSTER THE PEOPLE
    Torches

  • reviewed 07/2012

    WACO BROTHERS AND PAUL BURCH
    GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

  • reviewed 08/2011

    THE SILOS
    FLORIZONA

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.