Cold War Kids
Album: Mine is Yours
Despite my semi-questionable love for Cold War Kids, it has to be said that the album is lacking in soul. There are no songs about Golden Gate jumpers, stealing from the church offering, destitute hospital patients, or recovering alcoholics. Instead, it is full of songs of love and life.
The imagery in Nathan Willett’s lyrics is still just as vivid, just a little more generic; made to be enjoyable for everyone. A few songs are definitely made for the pure sake of radio airplay; I’m looking at you, Mine is Yours and Finally Begin. For this album the Kids worked with Jacquire King, known for producing Modest Mouse and Kings of Leon albums, which may explain the slightly more polished studio sound of the album.
As the album’s title might hint, there are certainly domesticated themes throughout, “Lets skip the charades, you’re seeing right through me anyway/ I’ll take out the garbage, I will squeeze your juice.” However new classic lyrics that invoke amazing storytelling are readily available too, “All of my windows were barred, the sun made stripes of shade, I was sitting around like a zombie, feeding my own face, it’s a slippery slope, like that mousetrap game/ Bulldozer, run right over us, feel the snap and crush of furniture/ I locked my keys in the car, I’m pleading for some change, the meter treats me like a stranger now, flashing zeros, I’m juggling a drink too full, while tugging on a leash that you pull.” Some of the songs can even be described as somewhat uplifting and inspirational.
While the album is different than their past two releases, some might say more refined, more pop-ish. It is still a great release (huh huh…he said “great release”) and possibly a new direction for the band into a Cold War Kids that everyone can enjoy.
Favorite tracks include: Royal Blue, Finally Begin, Out of the Wilderness, and Skip the Charades.
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Matt’s Score: A-
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