Loyalty to Loyalty - Dark Publications

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Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty 6/10 September 23, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Indie rock derived from the back roads of some of the best Americana music tradition is not a particularly new idea nowadays, as bands struggle to try to outdo each other with a sound that hasn't hit it big yet. The National, Band of Horses, Midlake, dozens of bands are lining up for a swing at that big `ole `70s bluesy sound. Luckily for Fullerton, CA band Cold War Kids, they've already made a name for themselves with 2006's critically acclaimed Robbers & Cowards, a vibrant piece of indie rock that incorporated the best of old-school blues and backwoods country rock. The Kids wade in even deeper on Loyalty to Loyalty, and while much of this sophomore effort captures the urgency of their debut, at times the Kids drag rather than kick things up.

Singer Nathan Willett is a big reason for the band's appeal, a divisive vocalist with a raw, less trained Jeff Buckley-ish set of pipes and a penchant for preaching. But just as he uplifts some of Loyalty's best songs with a raspy passion on the down `n dirty "Mexican Dogs" or with smart lyrics on the thumping drums and sexy rhythm of "I've Seen Enough," his voice can turn from interesting and fresh to grating and intolerable with just a few misplaced falsettos. Single "Something Is Not Right With Me," although musically spot-on, is derailed by Willett's ranting shouts, while the band's decision to lift Willett's vocals way above everything else on the much-too-slow "Avalanche B" and the otherwise catchy "I've Seen Enough" make one wish Willett took more lessons.

The rest of the band is as on top of their style as ever before, cranking out track after track of irrepressibly bluesy, bar band-esque rockers that roar along on menacing guitar ("Mexican Dogs") or lilting, jazzy piano melodies ("Every Valley Is Not A Lake"). And while closing songs like "Relief" collapse under the weight of their own pretensions and Willett's howling, a tasteful mood piece like "Golden Gate Jumpers," with one of the record's best lyrics and melodies, remind one why Cold War Kids became famous in the first place.

2 out of 5 stars

Cold War Kids sophomore slump September 24, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful

First things first, I am a huge Cold War Kids fan and I was so excited about this album. Their first album Robbers and Cowards was absolutely brilliant. Song after song was catchy and made you want to hear more. Loyalty to Loyalty however is a HUGE letdown. The album is basically soft lounge piano music. I kept waiting and waiting for it to pick up but it never did. I have only listened to it once, so maybe this rating can change, but as of now this album is a major flop. No idea what they were thinking when they sat down and said this is the best stuff we have!

4 out of 5 stars

Loyalty to Loyalty September 25, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Many will hear this album and be confused with the product after listening to the single "Something is not right with me". The strange thing is that the single really doesn't belong on this album, as its the only track with a fast beat, high energy, rockesque feeling. The other twelve tracks are for me more conservative, mature, and with greater production value than their past works.

The music is spot on, and that's one thing I've always loved from this band. Less repetition and beats on loop and more of the same diversified throughout the track is how I would explain it. I would also call it a discontent allegory because as the lyrics can stand on its own, The lead singer can sometimes go on his own tangent which can destroy a track because both the music and the singer seem to be on opposite sides (track 7).

The problem I had with this album at the beginning was that I didn't know where it was taking me. As I had heard the Single before and the first two tracks the album seemed to work themselves towards songs the likes of the single. But they never came. My belief is that if you want to experience and understand the album as a whole start listening from track 10 - 13 and back to track 1 - 9. The tracks 10 - 13 being my favorite of mine :). In conclusion the album has really grown on me in the past 3 days I've been listening to it. It has again a more mature feeling to it than most juvenile, testoterone driven albums out there.

5 out of 5 stars

Silly quick raters September 27, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

How many times have people listened to this album before accusing it of being a sophie slumper? I find this album to have less energy and I would argue that this is absolutely a positive. The first album was bursting at the seams with energy, it could become grating to listen to from start to finish. This album is very dynamic and the song composition is very interesting, all of which stays constrained enough as to not become fatiguing. If anything I think that this is a wonderful complement to their first album.

Can't wait to catch them at the TLA with this new material!

4 out of 5 stars

The kids are getting better...haters just lack good taste September 27, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

You need to listen to this album at least two or three times before you actually get into it, but once you do, you'll realise it's just as good as robbers and cowards. It's got a different feel. A little darker, maybe, but it still has their signature sound throughout. If you actually like this band and don't judge it by the first CD, you need to do yourself a favor and get it. It's got soul, a bluesy edge, and the rawness of just plain good rock that the kids are known for. Key tracks in my opinion:

1. Against privacy
2. Mexican dogs
3. On the night my love broke through
4. Relief
5. Cryptomnesia

Nathan's vocals couldn't be better.

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