ROBBERS & COWARDS - COLD WAR KIDS
One of the latest bands to generate big buzz via the blogosphere, Cold War Kids don’t quite justify the hype on their Downtown debut. Culling songs from several self-released EPs, the set is packed with rough-hewn, bluesy garage rock. The problem: Cold War Kids aren’t really that distinctive. Frontman Nathan Willett sounds a lot like the Walkmen’s Hamilton Leithauser, especially when utilizing the highest part of his vocal register, and the music, often replete with out-of-tune saloon piano, flip-flops between the stripped-down rock of the White Stripes and Modest Mouse. The band sounds more original on “Hang Me Up to Dry,” which is driven by a dark, urgent bassline and wields an ace melody not matched in most of the other tunes. These Kids may be cool, but their songs don’t yet make the grade. Billboard
