COLD WAR KIDS

Long Beach’s Cold War Kids are morphing. Their 2014 release Hold My Home (Downtown Records) delivered a surprised hit which reached #1 on Billboard”s Alternative Chart. “First” thrusted Cold War Kids directly into the crowded fray of indie pop bands (Imagine Dragons, Coldplay) fighting for covered radio play. Their new found glory didn’t sit well with both critics and their hardcore base who loved their quirky awkwardness and Velvet Underground feel. Cold War Kids sixth album L.A. Divine ( Capitol Records) won’t do much to repair the damage. Slicker and more polished L.A. Divine expands on the poppy success of “First”. Even though Nathan Willett’s vocals are restrained and measured and the sound more commercially acceptable L.A. Divine still hits home. Critics may cry fowl but the songs are strong and beat driven. Opening tune ” Love is Mystical” sets the tone. Anthemic and hook crazy “Love Is  Mystical” can easily be the summer hit of the year. The Bishop Briggs collaboration, “So Tied Up“, garnishes another great radio friendly tune. Throughout the album Willett’s brooding raspy voice stands in the forefront. His vocals can be both bittersweet and rousing. Songs like “Can We Hang On” with it’s plodding beat and gospel chorus and “Open The Heavens” with it’s funky backbeat shine. “Luck Down” is the underdog star. Willett’s voice fits well with the atmospheric swirl behind him. L.A. Divine does has it’s flaws. The three interludes (“L.A. River”, “Wilshire Protest”, etc) seem more a distraction than the poignant reflections intended. L.A. Divine is Cold War Kids leap of faith and the jury is still out.

COLD WAR KIDS

• Nathan Willett———————–Vocals,Piano,Guitar
• Matt Maust————————–Bass
• David Quon————————-Guitar,Backing Vocals
• Matthew Schwartz—————–Keyboards,Piano
• Joe Plummer————————Drums,Percussions

L.A. Divine is Cold War Kids sixth release

• Robbers and Cowards————2006 Downtown, V2
• Loyalty To Loyalty——————2008 Downtown, V2
• Mine Is Yours———————–2011 Downtown, V2
• Dear Miss Lonelyhearts———–2013 Downtown, V2
• Hold My Home———————2014 Downtown, V2
• L.A. Divine————————–2017 Capitol Records

COLD WAR KIDS are currently on tour

Next post———————————-Chris Stapleton

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