Cougar Microbes

Cold War Kids‘ debut ‘Robbers & Cowards‘ is an album I have given numerous plays over the years and never get tired of. It’s follow up ‘Loyalty To Loyalty‘ left me bitterly disappointed as the Californians ditched much of the angular attack that had drawn me to them in the first place. I worried Cold War Kids would go the same way The Killers did.

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to ‘Mine Is Yours‘ but after just a few minutes it was obvious this was a veritable return to firm.

Let’s be clear, the quirkiness that had originally endeared me to them is pushed to the background only occasionally popping its head out. In its place a new found pop sensibility and a constant delivery that actually works quite well.

Nathan Willett is still showcasing his lyrical wit with his distinctive drawl mentioning the economy, but the characters he invents here are projected onto a far more arena friendly territory.

So perhaps Cold War Kids have “sold out” so to speak and gone out searching for the spark that was at times so evident on their debut. Regardless, the result is a more consistant and enjoyable album.

TRACKS:

Cold War Kids – Skip The Charades

Cold War Kids just released a video for ‘Skip The Charades‘, the second single from their new ‘Mine Is Yours‘ album. The track is probably the most straightforward thing I have heard the Californians perform but definitely has a certain charm to it.

The video, directed by Moh Azima, adopts an equally simplistic approach relying on the music to carry it through. I think it works a treat.

CWK set out on an extensive US and European tour which will see them performing Lollapalooza amongst other summer festivals.

TRACKS:

I have to admit I was left slightly underwhelmed by Cold War Kids’ last release. Whereas their debut ‘Robbers & Cowards’ offered a good blend of witty self-doubting lyrics, bluesy vibes and anthemic choruses its follow up ‘Loyalty To Loyalty’ simply lacked in tracks that jumped out and grabbed me by the throat. With the Californian quartet gearing up towards the release of their new album, ‘Mine Is Yours’, in early 2011 the first details on the album are beginning to emerge.

The sound of first single ‘Louder Than Ever’ makes me think this release could well represent a return to form. The jittery verses are wound up tight with frontman Nathan Willett offering what is potentially his most heartfelt, if not slightly paranoid, delivery. Meanwhile the chorus is textbook CWK deceivingly effortless yet with an underlying sense of self satire.

Next year is set to bring many standout albums, here’s to hoping that ‘Mine Is Yours’ is one of those.

TRACKS:

Cold War Kids – Louder Than Ever (rcrdlbl link)

Spanish new comers Corinthians were frustrated with the new new wave and 3 minute formulas. Instead they’re taking newspaper cut-outs, weird dreams and urban legends and turning them into timeless stories.

From the man who fakes his own death to move to Panama in ‘Take the Money and Run’ to ‘Bokonon’; a tale of a drug infused night with the hedonistic God from Kurt Vonnegut‘s novel Cats Cradle, to ‘Ademir’; a song about a man who went out on the piss only to discover his family had buried a man that morning who they mistakenly thought was himself.

From start to finish these tracks add some much needed intelligence and authenticity to indie pop. The references that Corinthians bring up are varied but always executed to perfection. The aforementioned ‘Ademir’ has a definite Doors feel to it and a vocal delivery akin to that of ‘Richard Ashcroft’ which is fleeting yet strangely effective. Whereas, ‘Space and Time’ and ‘Same As I’ have a more sinister sound to them with pronounced keys providing structure and an eerie definition which could be likened to ‘Cold War Kids‘. In contrast, ‘Take The Money and Run’ is less structured and with its soft textured the track is so elegant and understated, it’s verging on stunning.

Despite their cohesive sound the current Corinthians line-up has only been going for the best part of a year. They’re already starting to make some serious noise in Madrid playing in some of the cities largest venues and in March they will be grace the UK with their presence.

TRACKS:

Corinthians – Ademir

Corinthians – Minnows

Corinthians – Mojave

Of all the British starlets that burst onto the airwaves in 2009 miss Florence Welch was the undisputed champion for me. This time last year I remember only the track ‘Kiss With A Fist‘ and a cover of Cold War Kids‘ ‘Hospital Beds‘ were readily available on the internet or elsewhere.

A year on and Florence + The Machine have won several awards and been nominated for a few and the songs are ever present on TV and radio. I think it is a great achievement for the South Londoner’s songwriting ability that the album tracks on ‘Lungs‘ are as good if not better than those that were eventually released as singles.

TRACKS:

Florence + The Machine – Cosmic Love

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