Nathan Willett
By Krystal Lynn Mutschler
Western Sun associate editor
In what appears to be a way of calming upset fans after the news of founding member and lead guitarist, Jonathan Russell, leaving the band, Cold War Kids released two versions of the same song, along with a short, three-day tour. Unbeknownst to fans until the songs were released, the band featured a new guitarist, former member of Modest Mouse, Dann Gallucci.
At first listen, the songs entitled, “Minimum Day” and “Minimum Mistake,” sound like a terrible recording of a high school whiny, low-talented band. “Day” sounds like a rejected Jack White (White Stripes) song, with the over-the-top, garage-style picking and drum banging. “Mistake,” offers a slightly more mellow, dark and haunting appeal, but due to the echo effects that the lead vocalist, Nathan Willett uses, the end result is an empty sound.
Upon closer listen, one can appreciate where the rest of the members have grown. Matt Maust’s deep bass lines are felt on “Mistake,” and give it rhythm. On “Day,” Matt Aveiro’s drumming is fast-paced, making you want to move with his snare hits and high-hat fills.
Fans will appreciate what Gallucci is bringing to the table, with his jazzy riffs at the end of “Day” and his technical chords in “Mistake,” but they will also be left hoping that this is just a fluke for Willett, and that his already infamous whiny/theatrical-sounding voice won’t start of a war with fans now that Russell is no longer there to provide back-up vocals.
