Cold War Kids – Loyality to Loyality

Cold War Kids
Loyalty to Loyalty
Downtown Records

by Noel Wurst

Argh, damn Cold War Kids. With your really interesting backing band, that listeners (or at least I) really would like to hear a little louder but that lead singer Nathan Willett flat out refuses to not shout every line. I wanna hear the band! They’re actually doing interesting stuff back there! I know the lyrics are important, and I’m proud of Willett for making an obvious effort to write songs about something other than teenage drama and dancing. Oh how I’m so tired of dancing.

Loyalty to Loyalty is the second release from Cold War Kids, and it’s going to please as many, and make as many heads scratch as Robbers and Cowards, their first album. For someone who often wants the lead singer to occasionally step aside and let the band get a little spotlight – it’s incredibly frustrating. On the other hand, their fans that stand slack jawed at their concerts and marvel at Willett’s intense demanding of their attention – should be just as impressed with this album as with anything else they’ve previously released.

Whether you’re a super fan or not, the Kids definitely get points for their originality. After their first album sold a respectable number of copies, it would’ve been easy for them to attempt something more attainable and radio friendly, and with Loyalty they’ve done the exact opposite. The lyrics are arguably “deeper” and the music in the background is at times downright bizarre. I don’t know how these new tracks will translate over to their highly regarded live shows, but I also don’t think their fans care. The band earned an impressive level of credibility amongst their fans before this album ever came out, and in todays fickle music market, that feat alone is praise worthy.