Robbers and Cowards

Today's Music of the Day is Robbers and Cowards, the debut album from Cold War Kids. I'm almost certain this was given to me a year or two ago by a friend who would not shut up about how good "Hospital Beds" is. Anyway...

This album isn't subversive in any real sense of the word; it comes out with all instruments blazing, though only occasionally does it grasp the 'rock' part of 'indie rock'. The guitar adds a welcome edge to the music, though the piano is surprisingly prominent. I'm not sure what to make of the singer's voice, though; he's sometimes restrained but usually wails loudly enough to put the instruments in their place. His voice isn't elegant, really, but it couldn't be classified as screaming in any real sense of the word.

Robbers and Cowards has its moments, but they aren't dramatic enough to make a fairly predictable album memorable. The songs aren't performed poorly, but there don't seem to be enough lyrical or musical ideas here to allow any tracks to stand out. The lyrics never venture into storytelling; mostly, the songs seem to be about how trying life is. Maybe I'm not listening closely enough but the angst doesn't have a great deal of mileage. Musically, each song seems to be based off one bit of phrasing and rhythm, with a little build on that idea culminating in an instrumental solo or interlude, and that's about it. The piano is a nice touch but it's basically Heinz 57 sauce on an otherwise plain hamburger: appreciated but not really a distraction from an underutilized canvas.

Overall, this album is okay, but there just isn't enough substance here in terms of music or mood to make it particularly worthwhile. Some bands that are stronger in other areas could compensate for the shortcomings in terms of songwriting, but Cold War Kids just aren't doing it for me.

In Other News:
Thank goodness for Saturday. Please let me sleep in and also remain motivated so that I don't work so much this weekend.

I have got to find a guitar teacher, or at least a good guitar book.