one of the only/one of the few: Common Errors in English Usage Entry for Wednesday, October 3, 2012

one of the only/one of the few 
Although it has recently become much more popular, the phrase “one of the only” bothers some of us in contexts in which “one of the few” would traditionally be used. Be aware that it strikes some readers as odd. “One of only three groups that played in tune” is fine, but “one of the only groups that played in tune” is more likely to cause raised eyebrows.