Viva La Vinyl
Bethany Cosentino - Natural Disaster
It’s been quite the evolution from the early days of Best Coast to front woman Cosentino’s first solo album. The later Best Coast albums had been veering in the direction fully embraced on this album, and I’m glad they’ve been given their own roads to explore. The full Belinda Carlisle/Stevie Nicks-ification would only have been watered down were this a Best Coast album.
I do miss Bobb, though...
Listening, I can’t help but wonder what songs on this album are written to her younger self/depression, critics, Nathan Williams, or even Snacks. Her appearance on the podcast Depresh Mode right around when this album came out gave some insight into her state of mind when writing this album, and I’ll never pass up a chance to shout-out that podcast.
This is definitely an album that represents growth from Bratty B to who she is today. Adult Conpemporary vibes that everyone at the office can agree with — even the boss!
Of course, there is the connection one could make to the hopefulness and promise of youth ebbing in the face of aging and a loss of idealism, to the looming specter of climate change materializing in front of us and realizing that we have to shift attitudes from Trying To Stop It, to Figuring Out How To Live With It. Not that there’s a doom and gloom “We’re Fucked,” but a heavy sigh before having to clean up after everyone left the party.
-bcp