Local LA hometown heroes from native Long Beach (home of the 3rd most popular record store in SoCal), have come out with catchy riffs blazing on Mine is Yours
. After a previous mildly successful attempt of trying to bridge the gap between KROQ and KCRW listeners, the Kids third studio album comes equipped with a new approach and also some dude who produced the last Kings of Leon album, which prompted lead singer Nathan Willett to proclaim, out with the old ("good old days of quick and fun, minimal CWK") and in with the new ("????"). While simultaneously trying to propel themselves into the next level of "we're a good band damnit, we can play big ass venues too" yet also maintain a sense of 'coolness' that won't piss other people off by getting too popular, Mine is Yours seems to have the right blended recipe to appease both.
. After a previous mildly successful attempt of trying to bridge the gap between KROQ and KCRW listeners, the Kids third studio album comes equipped with a new approach and also some dude who produced the last Kings of Leon album, which prompted lead singer Nathan Willett to proclaim, out with the old ("good old days of quick and fun, minimal CWK") and in with the new ("????"). While simultaneously trying to propel themselves into the next level of "we're a good band damnit, we can play big ass venues too" yet also maintain a sense of 'coolness' that won't piss other people off by getting too popular, Mine is Yours seems to have the right blended recipe to appease both.
Let's take "Royal Blue" for instance. Melodic and bright/fun/citrusy chorus and bridge, yet still retains that "edginess" in the bass line that's driving the track heard on such previous hit tracks as "Something is Not Right With Me
" and "Hang Me Up To Dry
". Lyrics declaring "I've always been a bit of a fighter!" also gives Willett just enough hardcoreness without being too overzealous. I call shenanigans on his suggestion of minimizing the 'quick and fun'. There's plenty of that, plus a nice layering of edge, schmaltz, and jovial. One thing he did forecast correctly though is that Mine is Yours = Next Level Cold War Kids. This album is it, it's addicting, multi-listenable, and a strong early candidate for a favorite come the end of the year (for myself and possible Kings of Leon friendly KCRW listeners and also the Modest Mouse leaning crowd of KROQ people as well).
" and "Hang Me Up To Dry". Lyrics declaring "I've always been a bit of a fighter!" also gives Willett just enough hardcoreness without being too overzealous. I call shenanigans on his suggestion of minimizing the 'quick and fun'. There's plenty of that, plus a nice layering of edge, schmaltz, and jovial. One thing he did forecast correctly though is that Mine is Yours = Next Level Cold War Kids. This album is it, it's addicting, multi-listenable, and a strong early candidate for a favorite come the end of the year (for myself and possible Kings of Leon friendly KCRW listeners and also the Modest Mouse leaning crowd of KROQ people as well).
-thomas j.
Royal Blue - Cold War Kids
0 comments:
Post a Comment