I got a bit of an unpleasant shock today. I went to pick up the latest issue of Under the Radar magazine today. After reading through their best of lists and articles, I got to the review section and a review of Cold War Kids' upcoming album, Mine is Yours. I've been a pretty big fan of this band since about 2006 when they released their debut, Robbers & Cowards. They're thrown under the indie rock umbrella, but have (had?) a very unique sound with howling vibrato vocals and dissonant piano chords that I instantly loved.
Their second album, Loyalty to Loyalty was a little bit of a disappointment in that the songs were less structured, but their basic sound was still present and it was still a decent listen. I was, therefore, very excited when it was announced they would be releasing a new album. That excitement, however, waned a bit after reading the review:
"Cold War Kids make a play for stardom..."
"Cold War Kids seem to be aiming for something more akin to Kings of Leon..."
"...Willett sings on 'Skip the Charades,' the biggest, and also worst, grab at a radio-friendly...hit."
Not one to take reviews at face value, I sought out a couple of tracks from the album. And...dear God...they were right. I listened to "Louder than Ever," and it did sound like Kings of Leon track. And not any of their good stuff from before Closer, Kings of Leon NOW. That's not good.
I can only hope that those two tracks are just flukes aimed at getting more radio play and that the rest of the album is the Cold War Kids I know and love. However, since the album was produced by the same guy who produced Kings of Leon's last album, I have a feeling it won't be.
...sigh...
P.S.: just realized the producer, Jacquire King, also produced Modest Mouse's Good News for People Who Love Bad News, so...take from that what you will.
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