Cold War Kids
L.A. Divine
Release Date: Apr 7, 2017
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock
Record label: Capitol
Music Critic Score
How the Music Critic Score works
Buy L.A. Divine from Amazon
Album Review: L.A. Divine by Cold War Kids
Acceptable, Based on 3 Critics
Based on rating 7/10
Over the years, a growing sense of maturity emerged in Cold War Kids' music, with albums like Hold My Home proving that they're most successful when they're most straightforward. L.A. Divine builds on that album's solidly anthemic sound: "Love Is Mystical" and "Restless" are fine examples of the band at its stomping best. However, Cold War Kids also give L.A.
Based on rating 4.6/10
It's been 11 years since Cold War Kids' debut album, Robbers & Cowards, a record that still shines brightly as one of the finest major label "indie rock" releases of the aughts. The Los Angeles band packed that disc full of eerie, off-kilter piano stompers with a vocalist that sounded like Isaac Brock on uppers and lyrics that crept under your skin. Tracks like "Hang Me Out To Dry" and "Hospital Beds" still hold up, more than a decade later.
Based on rating 2/5
Now four records and more than eight years removed from 'Loyalty to Loyalty,' it's still tough to discuss Cold War Kids without acknowledging their radical shift from fuzzed out, bleary-eyed blues minimalists on their terrific first two records to Kings of Leon understudies on the Jacquire King produced 'Mine is Yours.' But 'L.A. Divine,' actually signals another, subtler shift in their sound. Their latest leans into the formula of 'First', their surprise smash from 'Hold My Home.' It's still poppy and anthemic, but does, at times, feel genuinely more raw in its emotion than much of 'Mine is Yours' and certainly 'Dear Miss Lonelyhearts'.
'L.A. Divine'
is available now