Marking the ten-year anniversary of the band, Cold War Kids’ fifth albumHold My Homefinds the indie rockers striving, with mixed results, for the vitality and relevance of their early years. Their 2006 debutRobbers & Cowardsstood out from the crowd with an exciting and fresh blend of blues and indie rock, fronted by Nathan Willett’s powerful, earnest vocals.
Sophomore effort Loyalty To Loyalty followed much the same blueprint but was more hit-and-miss, and it’s been a case of diminishing returns ever since as they skew closer to the anonymous pop-rock of Kings Of Leon or The Killers.
On Hold My Home, the bad news is that Cold War Kids are continuing down this track, but the good news is their songwriting is sharper and capable of producing some memorable tracks. ‘First’ is a standout; a thumping anthem that still retains enough of the old Cold War Kids to excite. And the double shot of closing ballads ‘Harold Bloom’ and ‘Hear My Baby Call’ gives Willett a chance to showcase his great ability to sound powerful and vulnerable all at once.
Fans looking for a return to the energy and brashness of Cold War Kids’ debut are in the wrong place, but there’s enough quality here to keep them relevant.
3.5/5.
Hold My Homeis out Friday October 17 through Downtown /Create/Control.
