AOTW: Robbers & Cowards

Album of the week:
Cold war kids - Robbers & Cowards

I don't know how I discovered them. I remember being at home, and finding a CD with the words written, 'Cold War Kid'. I don't know how it got there, I didn't download and burn it to a CD or anything. It just appeared, so I listened to it and now I am writing about it.

Now this album, I like. It's not of traditional rock or alternative. This album uses many off key melodies to produce a sound of chaos and disruption that works so terrifically with the songwriting while fusing it with vocal queues from what you would find in a gospel choir.

What is like about Robbers and Cowards is that it reminds you that problems and self destruction are common among all people. The first track on the album, 'We Used To Vacation' speaks a man's battles with alcohol addiction while trying to be a father.

My favorite song on the album is 'St. John'. Minimalist by today's standards, the group masterfully uses stomps and clamps while the signer whales a voice so remarkable you'd think he was working in a chain gang.

What makes a good album for me is the total collection of songs. They must all complement each other, in a way that you know it was thoughtfully selected in that particular order. That is the same reason I think songs on greatest hits albums do not sound as good as when they were on their original album. A good song is good also because of its supporting cast.

Robbers and Cowards has this quality. I need not hit the skip button once. I can listen to the albums without pause. All tracks have a place in delivering the experience to the listener.


Fyi, the Cold War Kids are playing at The Showbox at The Market on april 22, for anyone that wants to see them in person.