Sound: Chic, indie rock meets raw, urban blues packed with anger, misdeeds and regret. The loose romps feature quivering howls, pounding piano, stomping drums, and stuttering guitar. Cold War Kids also take the occasional breather with creepy, falsetto-crooning ballads.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “We Used to Vacation” (Top 20 Songs of 2006 Candidate); “Saint John”; “Hospital Beds”; “Passing the Hat”
Medium Rotation tracks: “God, Make Up Your Mind”; “Hang Me Up to Dry”
Explicit Lyrics*: none
Recommended: Nathan Willett’s ragged vocals teeter in and out of key, but they’re full of conviction, melody and memorable lines. If you’re sold on the voice, you’ll surely get sucked in by their fearless and energized music.
Grade: A- (Top 20 Albums of 2006 Candidate)

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* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly