Having shaped their sound and imagery with three EPs for Monarchy Music and a demanding touring schedule, it's no surprise that Cold War Kids have more presence on their first full-length, Robbers & Cowards, than many bands do on their debut albums. Their evocative, oddly soulful vignettes contain shades of Spoon's sardonic, piano-driven ock; the insistent, jittery feel of One Time Bells-era French Kicks; the poetic, rumpled ramblings of the Walkmen; the stripped-down bluesiness of the White Stripes; and in their more theatrical moments, a ghostly trace of Jeff Buckley, as well as touches of folk and gospel. That's not to say that Cold War Kids are derivative -- it's more like they take inspiration in classic sounds (indie or otherwise) and tweak them to their own designs. And even if there's more comforting, built-in familiarity with a touch of freshness in their music than radical originality, there's something to be said for familiarity, especially when it's done this well. For fans of the band's EPs, Robbers & Cowards will sound familiar for another reason: it takes most of its songs from Up in Rags and With Our Wallets Full, giving them a slightly fuller, cleaner sound. Fortunately, this only enhances the band's most distinctive assets: Nathan Willett's high-pitched, nasal, vibrato-heavy voice, a love it or hate it instrument that gives Cold War Kids a huge part of their character, and their way with storytelling and lyrics with a bookish eye and ear for detail. "We Used to Vacation," a dry-eyed account of alcoholism's effect on a family, and "Passing the Hat," a tale of stealing from the collection plate at church that sounds like it could be from an indie rock musical about the Great Depression, combine both to great effect, but it's the genuine warmth in "Hospital Beds" that makes it the finest moment on an exciting, accomplished debut album.
In "Criminal Records", the Girlfriend and I discuss songs featuring criminal activity. This week: "Robbers" by Cold War Kids, which was suggested by mogger SunshineDaydream.[While listening to the song…]Me: Okay, the narrator is robbing from the blind. Then he's turning around and saying, "It's not easy." He's looking for our pity. "You know what? This is a hard life."The GF: Hear the guy out. .
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I tend to not want to agree with Jesse Lacey, but it's a known fact throughout the world (Well, the world that knows me...) that I am an acousticwhore. It's a medical condition...I've been prescribed medication, but I chuck it down the toilet when no one's looking.I just listen to these alternate versions of songs and find myself transfixed at how the meaning, the mood, the everything of a song...
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Since most of the bigwigs of MOG follow me, I figured I would quickly take the time to congratulate them on their recent developments and ongoing press that they have been receiving today.This morning, I read several articles about MOG. The news proves that MOG is a much needed entity in the music industry.Keep up the good work!You can read the Mashable article here:More >
Cold War Kids are one of my favorite bands and you'd think with as long as I lived in NY and for how many times they played Piano's like five shows in a row every month, that I would have seen them live...but sadly..I did not :/. Robbers and Cowards is an amazing album and there isnt a time when I don't feel like listening to it. Right now this song in particular rings true to how I feel about ...
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OK, so I first read about Cold War Kids in (what I think was) Filter Magazine, it was one of those softball interviews coupled with a fashion layout on what the band was wearing. I hate those. What the hell does their t-shirt have to do with their music? Does the brand of their jeans make their writing any better? Of course the answer is “no” but I read it anyway because I like to get my $5 ou
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Quick!! Enjoy this album before local "alterna-radio" overplays the crap out of it! I can't wait till Old Navy works this song into there next "too short shorts" summer campaign.
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COLD WAR KIDS – ROBBERS AND COWARDS (2007)The U.K Rock hacks would regard 2006 as a good year for U.S music. The respected Uncut magazine voted 38 U.S albums in its top 50 for the year, and both Q and Mojo heralded more stateside artists than ever before. Cold War Kids missed the votes, as their debut had yet to be released on these shores, but the expectation was heightened by glowing headline.
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Went and saw the Cold War Kids last night....can I just say awesome. See if they're coming near you, and go see them!They rocked out on a version of “Saint John”, where most of the members from the two opening acts got up on stage and beat and shook many strange percussive instruments and found objects. A raucous good time was had by all.The opener, Delta Spirit, was pretty good too.!
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I was having a chat with a friend online last night about music, in specific new music. He was complaining that there is nothing new these days, all bands sound like bands from 30 years ago and you're better off just listening to the old stuff.I argued that if I only listen to and enjoy old music I wouldn't be able to go to any gigs as bands that were doing their thing 30 years ago are mostly ...
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So I can't stop listening to Cold War Kids. I try to listen to other music, but I always end up back at Cold War Kids. It started with "We Used to Vacation," but I've now graduated to "Hospital Beds" and "Saint John." The songs I seem to like have sad stories mixed with poppy music. At least lately. Not only in relation to Cold War Kids. I wonder why that is. Am I missing my emo days? I...
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Well, as usual I'm just a few steps behind the power-curve...took a while to catch up with the buzz about the Cold War Kids...I think I was putting them off due to the "Kids" part of the name (maybe I thought they were a boy band...which is a bit ironic as I grew up during the Cold War myself)...Anyway, I have finally caught the buzz and they are pretty good...Huge Potential...I will be looking...
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you music savvy's probably already know about this, but spin is having a voting contest for artist of the year in different categories. i was exposed to the indie vote and put in my little ditty in for mutemath (they're up against silversun pickups, which i know many of you like, but i'm going to side with the new orleans boys here). this contest has also just exposed me to cold war kids which ...
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Today, something terrible happened. I was driving to work, listening to one of my current favorite songs via the lovely CD player in my car... when the LCD screen read error after I changed lanes and the track skipped... then after recovering, there was that staticy noise that accompanies the death of the alternator.... but then, even more tragic, the CD player died. And it ate my Cold War Kids...
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Do any of you out there, and I'm sure there are more of you, have an obsessive personality? No no no, this is more than merely an addictive personality. This is about complete and utter obsession... it's more than addictive because I never go through withdrawals... no, I simply inundate myself with (whatever it is I'm obsessing over), so that it is impossible to go through withdrawals. To some,...
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Called Out: 2006 was a dizzying year for me and music. I acquired so much new music, I haven’t even listened to it all yet. And the albums I did listen to, I’m sure I didn’t even give a fair listen. You know what I mean when I say “a fair listen”? I mean listening to music like you did in high school and college. Spinning it constantly until you know every lyrical pun, bass run and backb
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--- - |- The Cold War Kids, who rocked with their first album, Robbers and Cowards, will be back this year with a followup, called Loyalty to Loyalty, due out on September 23rd of this year. Tomorrow, on their myspace page, the crew will release their first single, Something Is Not Right With Me.Here's the track listing:1. Against Privacy2. Mexican Dogs3. Every Valley Is Not A Lake4. Somethi...
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California indie rockers the Cold War Kids have released a minute long video plugging their sophomore album. Instead of coughing up a title, which is usually how these things work ("Cold War Kids release NAMEOFRECORDHERE on RELEASEDATEHERE"), the band has simply offered a date: September 23rd.The CWK's whole concept of saying the release date now, and album name later, might be part of a new gu...
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Fullerton, California's Cold War Kids will be on headlining tour before supporting The White Stripes on their tour through the US (see details below).Since the release of Cold War Kids debut album ??Robbers & Cowards?? (Downtown Records), the group have quickly grown from playing cozy clubs to some of our nation's most renowned venues. Their single "Hang Me Up To Dry" reached a whopping #1 on ...
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In "Criminal Records", the Girlfriend and I discuss songs featuring criminal activity. This week: "Robbers" by Cold War Kids, which was suggested by mogger SunshineDaydream.[While listening to the song…]Me: Okay, the narrator is robbing from the blind. Then he's turning around and saying, "It's not easy." He's looking for our pity. "You know what? This is a hard life."The GF: Hear the guy out. .
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Fullerton, California four piece indie rock outfit, Cold War Kids have released a new video for Hospital Beds the third single of their debut album ??Robbers & Cowards?? (Downtown).Check it out!
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If I were a family man this song could be my life. Not because I am such an alcoholic, but rather because I derive so much pleasure from abject failure when juxtaposed with the hard work and sacrifice required to not let others down. I guess it's just a matter of taking control over your own life, choosing your failures rather than risking a stab at success only to be stabbed back.
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OK, so I first read about Cold War Kids in (what I think was) Filter Magazine, it was one of those softball interviews coupled with a fashion layout on what the band was wearing. I hate those. What the hell does their t-shirt have to do with their music? Does the brand of their jeans make their writing any better? Of course the answer is “no” but I read it anyway because I like to get my $5 ou
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i bet a lot of you here have already seen and or heard this song/video, but i just cant get enough of it. enjoy!
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The indie-rockers from California are back and they're ready to knock your socks off. The tour announcement comes in conjunction with the release of their new album, Loyalty to Loyalty, the long-awaited follow-up to 2006's debut Robbers and Cowards. The new album is set to hit shelves September 22. Never heard them? Be sure to check them out as they are not an act to be missed. More tour dates ...
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what, with a stack of essays to grade, not even a quarter left of the latte, headache: large and in charge...regardless, cold war kids SLAMMED IT at the warfield last night. holy shit, they are a hot live show...great crowd, cool sound varieties, energy, swaying this way and that, singing loudly, pumping the fist, shaking the hips. grooves thick and funky...i've seen a shitload of music this ye...
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Since most of the bigwigs of MOG follow me, I figured I would quickly take the time to congratulate them on their recent developments and ongoing press that they have been receiving today.This morning, I read several articles about MOG. The news proves that MOG is a much needed entity in the music industry.Keep up the good work!You can read the Mashable article here:More >
Being a huge MP3 blog fan of sorts, I've wanted to be able to express my love for music I've discovered and/or obsessively obsessed over for some time now. MOG, I'm finding, should be perfect. I'm still fooling around with my page but I couldn't wait to post something. Here goes...I'm sure it's old news now but new for me, my latest find is Cold War Kids "Hang Me Up to Dry". Man, it rocks. In a...
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Called Out: 2006 was a dizzying year for me and music. I acquired so much new music, I haven’t even listened to it all yet. And the albums I did listen to, I’m sure I didn’t even give a fair listen. You know what I mean when I say “a fair listen”? I mean listening to music like you did in high school and college. Spinning it constantly until you know every lyrical pun, bass run and backb
More >
and in hopes of getting someone new to listenand the most private thing i am willing to admit here is i bought cassadaga last night... at target. there is slight irony in this for myself...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 We Used to Vacation |
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| 2 Hang Me Up to Dry |
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| 3 Tell Me in the Morning |
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| 4 Hair Down |
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| 5 Passing the Hat |
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| 6 Saint John |
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| 7 Robbers |
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| 8 Hospital Beds |
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| 9 Pregnant |
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| 10 Red Wine, Success! |
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| 11 God, Make Up Your Mind |
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| 12 Rubidoux |
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Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Robbers & Cowards")
