CD Review // Cold War Kids

L.A. Divine // Capitol Records

For die-hard fans seeking Cold War Kids signature sound and those who started listening to the band recently, it can be collectively agreed that their most recent effort, L.A. Divine was a disappointment.

The band didn’t recieve commerical success until Dear Miss Lonelyhearts or Hold my Home. This most recent album sounds more pop than the signature rock style laid down on previous albums. While listeners might overlook the rough edges of the record with an abundance of catchy lyrics or smooth piano chords, it’s inescapable that the album overall feels lost.

For what many have come to know and love about the band, a la sick and grungy guitar riffs and off-time rhythms, these familiar elements don’t exist on L.A. Divine. The band ditched their signature style and seemed to have transitioned into the pop realm, leaving behind their trademark and quirky personality. With a signature style, the Cold War Kids developed themselves musically and made their mark on the industry. Now, they sound like any other washed out pop band who are just starting out.

The album is strongest lyrically, with the title track “Love Mystically” one of the few songs with substance.“And when my heart won’t break/An empty space between my lungs/And when my knees won’t shake/I’ll drink to find inspiration,” coos lead singer Nathan Willett about supernatural love and the journey it takes to find it.

With high expectations and anticipation, Cold War Kids really missed the mark with L.A. Divine, leaving behind a forgettable album.