Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
On their fourth album, House of Spirits, the Fresh & Onlys sound even more removed from the thrillingly offbeat '60s-inspired combo they were when they began. Following the path that its previous albums have taken, the band is now much more considered and calm, with a graceful reserve instead of a bouncing-off-the-walls fervor. As on 2012's Long Slow Dance, it's a tradeoff that works in their favor, and their maturation hasn't left them sounding stale or tired at all. There's enough jangle in the guitars and psychedelic weirdness in the sound to keep things fresh, and the weighty seriousness that comes through in Tim Cohen's words and his increasingly authoritative voice is impressive. The album sets a mood of pleasant melancholy and slightly stoned introspection that is mostly unbroken, making it easy to drift along in a peaceful haze. Tracks like "Bells of Paonia" and "Madness" are sleepy, dreamy psych pop ballads, "Animal of One" and "Home Is Where?" have a laid-back Western feel that reflects the fact that Cohen wrote the album while camped out in the Arizona desert, and a couple tracks are so quiet they wouldn't disturb a lazy Sunday afternoon ("I'm Awake," "Ballerina"). Balancing these soft and steady tracks are a couple songs that kick up a little dust; the very poppy "Candy" bursts out of its laid-back Church-y verses into a soaring chorus and the insistent "April Fools" has some of their old rambunctiousness. The straightforward rocker "Hummingbird" even invites some overdriven distortion to the otherwise noise-free proceedings. It's a burst of energy on an album that is more about the moments before and after the storm, and the overall restraint and maturity may be enough to drive away any fans still hoping for some spooky and weird garage pop. Those who continue to stick with the band will find themselves rewarded with another fine addition to an impressive catalog and an example of grown-up psych pop that's both calming and soul-searching, while never being anything less than completely enjoyable.
© Tim Sendra /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From CA$ 10.83/month
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
The Fresh & Onlys, MainArtist
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
Album review
On their fourth album, House of Spirits, the Fresh & Onlys sound even more removed from the thrillingly offbeat '60s-inspired combo they were when they began. Following the path that its previous albums have taken, the band is now much more considered and calm, with a graceful reserve instead of a bouncing-off-the-walls fervor. As on 2012's Long Slow Dance, it's a tradeoff that works in their favor, and their maturation hasn't left them sounding stale or tired at all. There's enough jangle in the guitars and psychedelic weirdness in the sound to keep things fresh, and the weighty seriousness that comes through in Tim Cohen's words and his increasingly authoritative voice is impressive. The album sets a mood of pleasant melancholy and slightly stoned introspection that is mostly unbroken, making it easy to drift along in a peaceful haze. Tracks like "Bells of Paonia" and "Madness" are sleepy, dreamy psych pop ballads, "Animal of One" and "Home Is Where?" have a laid-back Western feel that reflects the fact that Cohen wrote the album while camped out in the Arizona desert, and a couple tracks are so quiet they wouldn't disturb a lazy Sunday afternoon ("I'm Awake," "Ballerina"). Balancing these soft and steady tracks are a couple songs that kick up a little dust; the very poppy "Candy" bursts out of its laid-back Church-y verses into a soaring chorus and the insistent "April Fools" has some of their old rambunctiousness. The straightforward rocker "Hummingbird" even invites some overdriven distortion to the otherwise noise-free proceedings. It's a burst of energy on an album that is more about the moments before and after the storm, and the overall restraint and maturity may be enough to drive away any fans still hoping for some spooky and weird garage pop. Those who continue to stick with the band will find themselves rewarded with another fine addition to an impressive catalog and an example of grown-up psych pop that's both calming and soul-searching, while never being anything less than completely enjoyable.
© Tim Sendra /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:22
- Main artists: The Fresh & Onlys
- Label: Mexican Summer
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
(C) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer (P) 2014 Kemado Records, Inc. d/b/a Mexican Summer
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.