Mine Is Yours

Cold War Kids knows that one can always do better

The Californian indie-rock band Cold War Kids was formed in 2004 by four young people united by their love of music and all eager to express themselves. Vocalist, pianist and guitarist Nathan Willett, vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Jonnie Russell, bassist Matt Maust and drummer and Matt Aveiro began writing and recording songs in Russell’s apartment. It was situated above a restaurant after which the band eventually named its first recording, Mulberry Street EP, finished in 2005 in another town. After that the musicians released two more suchlike collections and became a subject to the Internet community’s attention which lead to their contract with Downtown Records. 2006 saw the release of Cold War Kids debut album called Robbers & Cowards after which the guys performed in different parts of the Globe and then recorded an impressive collection Loyalty To Loyalty on which one could hear a great deal of interesting stories in the songs’ lyrics. Yet the members of Cold War Kids knew that one can always do better, and last year they joined efforts with producer Jacquire King (Kings Of Leon, Norah Jones, Lissie) to record their third album Mine Is Yours released late this January and proving the most professional and complete disc of the Californian four-piece.

Eloquent vocals and perfect instrumental harmonies on Mine Is Yours

Although many believe that raw sounding and not that professional production made Cold War Kids’ previous releases original and allowed the band remain itself the new album Mine Is Yours is not inferior neither to its first not to its second album. First, the vocal parts are still emotional and eloquent rendering vulnerability, boldness and passion. Second, the instrumental harmonies are lead to perfection here which does not seem luscious but can be taken as the high quality sign of each of the musicians’ work. The record opens with the title track built on dynamic keyboards and guitars and a memorable tune, whereas Louder Than Ever is a more eclectic number conquering not only with the melodious guitar and vivid vocals but also with the rich percussion. Bass guitar on Royal Blue underlines the high notes in vocals, the contrast being especially interesting on the song’s chorus, and one of the most complicated and unrestrained is number Out Of The Wilderness. The already complicated melody is enriched by the many-layered vocal part, and at the end the instruments seem to compete with each other which plays the same melody the loudest. With it and with the fantastic track Sensitive Kid the album’s second part starts on which the musicians give themselves a full swing. Sparking tunes with unpredictable vocals, amazing rhythms and lyrics based on not quite standard but true-to-life situations – all of it makes it clear that the Californians are still expressive and self-confident artists even in the hands of such a professional as Jacquire King. The vivid compositions like Bulldozer, Broken Open and the melodious closer Flying Upside Down are going to be great when played live.

Another idea, another feeling, another message

The eleven tracks of the album Mine Is Yours are based on one formula – a contagious drumbeat, emotional vocals, appropriate solos. If the album’s first half is somewhat predictable – good melodies, in which the emotions are just enough, and the instruments sound in a perfect harmony with the vocals, then the second part is more complex. The real eccentricity starts here, the one that once drew attention to Cold War Kids but it is served under quite a different dressing. The key in which these songs are recorded cannot be called neither rawness nor improvisation which can be found on the previous albums in abundance. This time the musicians have maintained their ability to be spontaneous expressing their emotions but made it in such a way that you will be surprised without being terrified. On the whole this album will not make you feel bored, especially its second part and the first one will please you with those elementary components which are present on any successful indie-rock recording: guitars, drums and vocals getting together to fill the space with another idea, another feeling, another message. No doubt the album Mine Is Yours is a worthy continuation of Cold War Kids’ story and this band will surely surprise us again more than once.