Cold War Kids, Parades @ TheForum, Melbourne (04/01/2011)

Sun 9th Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

We should count ourselves lucky, really. One might have expected California’s Cold War Kids to be tied up with this, that and the other ahead of the release of their third studio album, Mine Is Yours. Fortunately, the band found time enough to make a return to our shores – for our beloved 2010-2011 summer festival circuit, no less – set to showcase new stuff, old stuff and everything in between.

Sydneysiders Parades would open proceedings, specializing in hyper-rythmic instrumental tangents fused with a healthy dose of indie pop. Their approach is highly intricate, with an unruly emphasis on creative complexities that tends to detract from any obvious appeal. Put simply, their intensive-jam asides offer little to latch onto, matters made even worse when, at times, things are a little sloppy and under-rehearsed. The songs that incorporate a distinct lyrical bases are the more successful of their set, but it’s little wonder they shy away from such a direction, their vocal efforts appearing weak and underdone.

By now, you’re getting the picture: they’re a refreshingly ambitious and adventurous band, but everything they attempt is chaotic and rickety, just barely holding together with a collapse entirely foreseeable at any moment. Any discernible moods and tones are compromised by the messy behemoth of sound operating at any one time, greatly affecting one’s enjoyment of the music. But the icing on the cake? An admission, following the performance of a new song, that the rendition hadn’t been the best they had ever played it. “We’ve played it better,” one declares, recklessly. A tidbit best kept to oneself, perhaps.

Cold War Kids would prove a different story entirely, wasting no time in professing their trademark dirty, grungy aesthetic, the brilliantly crisp and accomplished vocals of frontman Nathan Willett leading the charge. Interestingly, the Forum’s stage setup seem unusually bland, the band stood before merely a black curtain, primitive pub-lighting illuminating the group in a limited range of hues. The band’s performance would not necessitate much more, however, as they offered an impassioned, captivating show. Matt Maust and Jonnie Russell strut their savage rock and roll precision across the stage, risking – yet avoiding, amazingly – an ugly collision with each grandiose gesture. Similarly, Willett is blessed as a natural performer, exuding a confident swagger to match a near-flawless vocal performance. A strong sense of melody drives the band; their efficient and charming pop-hooks lurking amidst the brash grind of their approach, creating a beautiful dichotomy that succeeds right throughout their set.

Fans appreciated inclusions of their favourite tracks, the steady; piano-laced momentum of Red Wine, Success! and the cool, headstrong Hang Me Up To Dry soon established as key highlights of the evening. A feast of new material also went over well with the Cold War Kids faithful. Single Louder Than Ever seems destined to emerge a commercial world-beater, ripe for adoration. Their show included enough new and interesting inclusions to provoke great intrigue in their new direction; a slick, more direct approach one suspects. On the whole though, this night saw Cold War Kids do what they do best: impress with a selection of spirited, wonderfully well-rehearsed and emphatic jangly rock with a touch of piano and a dash of melancholy for good measure. A two-song encore ensued, I’ve Seen Enough and the revered We Used To Vacation sending everyone home more than satisfied.

Overall, this evening at the Forum demonstrated what most already knew: Cold War Kids are fantastically talented, tremendous showmen with one hell of a live show to offer. Even their new material seems to indicate as much, as anticipation continues to flourish for the release of Mine Is Yours later this month. Definitely recommended.

Check out photos from the gig here