Bands like the Cold War Kids are worthy of studious inquiry. With some members hailing from Biola, there should be something of a vested interest in the band’s success and musical prowess. Their sound has always been louder and prouder than their record sales, fan base or critical notoriety suggests. Their best songs possess a sense of theatricality lost on other groups in this era of understatement. They’re the band no one will name check in front of a group of elitists, the “indie” group on a bro’s iPod. But even for their bombast and inability to attain a level of cool which could boost your street cred, “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” presents in spades why we keep listening to Cold War Kids with enthusiasm and fist-pumping affirmation.
COLD WAR KIDS DABBLE IN ELECTRONIC SOUND
“Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” kicks off by bringing the listener in hook, line and sinker with the pop rock gem, “Miracle Mile.” Other reviewers killed the magic a little bit by bringing up how similar this song sounds to to Florence + The Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over” and that sense of awareness certainly does kill some of the buzz. After a while though, you should be able to check those critical concerns at the door and get on the dance-floor, if a little guilty over the whole thing. It’s doubly ironic because Cold War Kids’ sound is so produced and sheeny that one would think they had the traction and mainstream crossover rate Florence Welch does, but alas they remain in the minor leagues. Maybe this record will put them over the top.
“Lost That Easy” and “Loner Phase” keep the party going with a more electronic, 21st-century take on the accessible, grit-removed bluesiness they made a name for themselves with. Since the early release of single “Hang Me Out to Dry,” it was easy to see irresistible catchiness would be the band’s forte. It’s not meant as a slight but their sound is corporatized Jack White, the sound of bluesmen selling out for popularity. If you don’t believe it, listen to The Black Keys’ “El Camino” to see how a band can sound after they give up the swagger for popularity. But like “El Camino,” it’s hard to hate “Lonelyhearts” or anything else by Cold War Kids because of how darned catchy and fun it all is.
BEST ALBUM SINCE "ROBBERS & COWARDS"
“Fear and Trembling” is a biblical phase and philosopical treatise by Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard. Critiques of the Cold War Kids can all sort of rest in taking a quick look at this song. For a band that plays around in the blues format, they should know that genre is the most yelping, brokenhearted genre around. From Robert Johnson on, blues was all about crying for help in a world that wouldn’t listen, decrying the injustices of the big picture down to domesticity gone awry. Lyrically and musically, it’s just hard to take Cold War Kids seriously on that front. Titling a song “Fear and Trembling” when its most existentially concerning lyric is “I want to tell you my thoughts / But my thoughts are scattered like crows / I’ve done whatever you want / I’ve gone from a mountain to a mole” is disappointing.
“Lonelyhearts” should do their alma mater proud as it may be their best album since debut “Robbers & Cowards.” It’s a long way from their initial sound but still familiar. They were never that dark and gritty to begin with so the continuing emphasis on production isn’t really a loss. They were heading here all along and “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” is a great stop on their road to attempted popularity.
