Sly falsettos, pumping bass lines and cleverly crafted lyrics filled The Catalyst on May 22 as Cold War Kids took the stage for a nearly sold out show.
Widely known for their 2007 single, “Hang Me Up To Dry,” –a simple yet hypnotizing song with its nonchalant bass line, lyrics infused with a few careless piano keys and a sweet guitar that makes it feel like summer— the band proved to be more than a one-hit wonder as they kept the crowd engaged with their ability to give an old, reminiscent sound a fresh take during their 18-song set.
The Long Beach band kept the energy high and the crowd swaying with their purposefully sloppy keys and chest-thumping bass. Nathan Willet’s operatic falsetto lilted over choppy instrumentals. It was perfectly disheveled.
Kicking it off with “Miracle Mile” from their newest album, “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts,” and came full circle with “Saint John” from the band’s first album, “Robbers & Cowards.”
“Miracle Mile” started the set with a dynamic tone as a deceptively simple rhythm opens the song and Willet exclaims, “I was supposed to do great things/I know the road was long.” Easily a sing-a-long, dance track, hands flew in the air and feet left the ground.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Saint John” had a lethargic, seductive bass that resonated through the room as Willett rebelliously sang “I picked up a brick from my papa's front yard and threw it at the tallest boy's face.”
Balancing both the new and old tracks, the fans found a middle ground and were able to connect to the band, the music, and each other.
Responsive to the fans, the bassist was often at the front of the stage leaning down towards the crowd and holding hands.
Besides the one seemingly dull track towards the end of the set, and the fight between two males in the balcony, the show went off without a hitch. Cold War Kids made it clear that, though they may be aging, their talent is only maturing rather than getting old.
