Cold War Kids
Behave Yourself EP
Downtown
Feb 09, 2010
Issue #29 - Year End 2009 - Best of the Decade
How quickly they grow up. On their sophomore full-length, Fullerton, CA band Cold War Kids embraced their dance-rock side, shrieking for all who would hear, "something is not right with me." Now, two years later, the wrongs have been righted and the "kids" are busy making their bid for VH1 immortality. With Behave Yourself, maturation means shaving off all those jagged edges that made the work so appealing in the first place. The organic production of sole highlight "Sermon" recreates the sloppy-soul atmosphere of full-length breakthrough Cops and Robbers—but it's all downhill from there. "Coffee Spoon" equates love to the titular utensil. The Los Angeles name checks in "Santa Ana Winds" may amuse locals, but its faux discord feels about as real as a Beverly Hills back-alley nose job. The worst offender is "Audience"—brushed to a magazine-like sheen, it'll serve as little more than your next shopping soundtrack. (www.coldwarkids.com)
Author rating: 4/10
Average reader rating: 7/10
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