ALBUM REVIEW: Cold War Kids - Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

Originally published at Middle Boop Mag: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/music-news/cold-war-kids-%E2%80%93-dear-miss-lonelyhearts-vertigo-records

Three years on and the almighty Cold War Kids are back once again, with new album Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, named after a classic Thin Lizzy track. The Californian foursome have also added in Modest Mouse’s guitarist Dan Gallucci, to which most will agree is something to be very excited about.  

Now, four albums into their career, have Cold War Kids managed to scrape back that poignancy and poeticism that their first two sublime records brought to the table, or will it suffer the same fate their past album Mine Is Yours did, disappointing fans and critics alike with its overall mundanity?

After first hearing lead single ‘Miracle Mile’, all seemed right with the CWK’s, and their brilliance seemed somewhat restored. With its thwacking piano and supercharged vocals, Dear Miss Lonelyhearts became unbearable to wait any longer for. They set the bar exceptionally high with this track, and one wonders if they might have shot themselves in the foot by putting it as the albums opener. We live and pray.

‘Lost This Easy’ is okay-ish , sounding moody and woeful with a playful experimentation of electronic backing beats. One of the best things about this band is the vocalist Nathan Willett voice, which remains as characterised and raw as it always did. However, on multiple listens (almost unrelenting, wanting the record to click to be able to dub it ‘a grower’) there is alas, no such response.

‘Fear And Trembling’ has echoed vocals and a retro saxophone element, but whilst listenable, doesn’t give you much of a knee-jerk response. There is however another flutter of brilliance towards the end of the record with ‘Jailbirds’ which is powerful and crisp, showcasing Gallucci’s musical input astutely.

Whilst the album is highly polished and heavy on production, it does lack the quintessential rawness and soul that made Cold War Kids initially so relevant and prominent amongst their peers. Better luck next time we hope.

LIVE REVIEW: Of Monsters and Men – O2 Academy Bristol 27/02/13

Originally published at Middle Boop Mag: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/live/live-monsters-and-men-%E2%80%93-o2-academy-bristol-270213

It’s not often that a band all the way from snowy Iceland grace the stage of The O2 Academy Bristol. The blissful Of Monsters and Men played this venue as part of their 10 date UK tour. Their debut album My Head Is An Animal was released last year and peaked at number three in the UK, number one in Ireland and Austria and a succession of other high positions across the globe.

The band, who have been together since 2010 were signed to Record Records after  playing a number of dates in their native Iceland and being invited to perform on the radio station Iceland Airwaves.

It was an opportune time to unleash their brand of thoughtful and beautiful folk music upon the world, in the wake of bands such as Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers, our ears were ripened to these dulcet and sensitive tones.Their singles ‘Mountain Sound’, ‘Little Talks’ and ‘Dirty Paws’ were received with a burst of adulation from the crowd. The six-piece frequently interacted with the audience in their very Icelandic manner, being softly spoken, thankful and humble.

Co-female vocalist Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, sounding much like a softer Florence seemed almost startled by the crowd, but her rendition of ‘Skeletons’ by The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s was unexpected and chillingly superior. They had hired a young, blonder haired girl to tour with them, and every five minutes she would change instrument, from a big drum to an accordion to a trumpet.

Co-male vocalist Raggi" Þórhallsson was also a pleasure to behold, a favourite moment was when he told the crowd, “This song is about a very tall man, a lake and a house, and it’s called... Lakehouse.” As a band, and their music says the same, they seem very innocent and unspoilt, possibly a product of their rural and simplistic upbringings in Iceland. It must have been a culture shock to tour the UK.

Of Monsters and Men were played absolutely blinding set, and there was a strong sense of pleasantry and peace amongst the crowd. On the way out, all that could be heard was how amazing they were live, and how it more that exceeded people’s expectations. 

LIVE REVIEW: Everything Eveything @ Thekla, Bristol 09/02/13

Originally published at Middle Boop Mag: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/live/live-everything-everything-thekla-bristol-90213

Everything Everything have finally cemented themselves within the currently thriving indie/electro popular music scene with their extraordinary follow up to their 2010 debut Man Alive. With Arc in tow, the world is at this bands feet.

 It must have been surreal for the quartet, going from major support slots at arenas with the likes of Muse and Snow Patrol, back down to academies and smaller music venues including Thekla Bristol, which is a music venue parked on the river in the artsey and cultural city of Bristol.

This is however, a wise choice and one they have publically spoken about being more comfortable with. The dingey and intimate setting did wonders for them, keeping their image, sound and the music’s soul intact. For a sold out show, as part of a sold out tour, the venue didn’t seem anywhere near capacity. For huge fans of the band, this would no doubt have been a real treat.

Starting with their current single ‘Kemosabe’ and being greeted with what could only be described as a wave of hype and elation from the audience. They sounded as they do on record, even down to the placements and delivery of the vocals, it was wonderful to behold these four young northern lads doing so bloody well for themselves. The audience recited every line, even from Arc’s lesser-heard album tracks.

They played a well-placed set consisting of their debut and second album, each track going down an absolute storm with the excitable crowd. The set lasted 75 minutes, and was short, neat and sweet. They did however fail to play their monster track ‘Final Form’ and during their en-core, the crowd screamed for it, but it was to no avail. They finished with ‘Don’t Try’ an absolute blinder from their current album. As they left the stage, it was clear to see the audience hadn’t quite had their Everything Everything thirst anywhere near quenched.