San Francisco's Fresh & Onlys Refine Garage-Pop

The Fresh & Onlys, a garage-pop band emerging from the San Francisco scene, have delivered their most potent work yet on their third LP, 'Play It Strange.' For the first time, the band collaborated with producer Tim Green, moving beyond their home studio to achieve a more focused and accessible sound.

This latest release sees the band adeptly blending the raw energy of 1960s garage-rock with the melodic textures of folk-rock. Their signature intricate melodic ideas are now more prominent, thanks to the professional production. The album showcases a refined pastiche of various pop influences, from Buddy Holly's upbeat style to The Byrds' expansive guitar work.

Songs like 'I'm All Shook Up' and 'Who Needs a Man' demonstrate the band's ability to inject subtle experimental elements within straightforward structures. The ambitious 'Tropical Island Suite' exemplifies their willingness to explore different sonic directions within a single track. Singer Tim Cohen's distinctive, affectless baritone adds a unique layer, conveying themes of boredom and wanderlust effectively.