Cold War Kids: Mine is Yours Review

Artist: Cold War Kids
Album: Mine is Yours
Label: Downtown/Mercury/V2

Cold War Kids’ newest album, Mine Is Yours, is an extremely different change from their previous albums, including their 2006 release of Robbers & Cowards. Gone, for the most part, is the offbeat, almost gritty sound we are used to, and is replaced by a more mainstream sound, filled with retro guitars, sappy sweet lyrics, and electronic percussion.

Most of the tracks on this album deal with love and relationships in some way. While the lyrics are at times a bit maudlin, they are straightforward and heartfelt, which is sometimes nice, not having to decipher every little lyric. The problem with most of these tracks is that they sound, music-wise, exactly alike. They begin softly, with an easy flow into the lyrics, and build up to a huge romantic climax, the most memorable being the U2-inspired “Finally Begin”. “Finally Begin” speaks of beginning a new love with memorable lyrics. “With you by my side/now I can stand/to finally begin”, warbles lead singer Nathan Willett.

Exceptions to the formula are “Sensitive Kid”, whose short staccato lyrics are being spoken from s smirky child’s perspective dealing with a family split who wails, “don’t call me a sensitive kid!” Another catchy track is the harmonica-heavy “Cold Toes On The Cold Floor”, whose ominous and bluesy sound is reminiscent of New Orleans.