Cold War Kids’ second album, Loyalty to Loyalty, was critically received as a huge drop-off from their immensely successful debut, Robbers and Cowards, and at first, I agreed. The album moved slower and had much more filler than the first. But after repeated listens, I developed a profound respect for Loyalty, which demonstrated the Cold War Kids’ creative depth and expansion and presented some truly haunting blues melodies.
But after repeated listens, I also found what was wrong with Loyalty to Loyalty: a lack of joyous, gospel-blues tracks the Kids could create with ease if they wanted. There was only one: the phenomenal “Every Valley Is Not A Lake.” Save for that song, the Kids just weren’t having enough fun with their rattling, soul-searching anthems.
But now, Nathan Willet, his high-pitched wail, and company are back, with a stunning track of their upcoming EP that is catchy, poppy, and most of all, fun. “Audience Of One” is filled with heavy pounding piano, Willet’s exceptional voice (sounding more melodic than whiny), and even some creative fuzzy synths and hand-claps. Dare you not to tap your toes, bop your head, and sing along to this one. After Willet’s first reach of a high note (”playing FOR an audience of one”) and falsetto “ooos” that follow, you’ll be hooked.
Under it all, somehow, lies the Cold War Kids’ melancholy side. The sad, reflective side that always seems to find a way to get into their music — after all, Willet’s only playing “for an audience of one.” Continue reading →
When I initially heard “Brothersport,” before the rest of Merriweather Post Pavillion had been released, I was hooked for about a minute. But then that wacky noise kept whining; the song went into some weird place I didn’t expect. I quickly dismissed it as “typical Animal Collective,” which, until this year, I had a hard time getting into.
Remember when the other day, you relaxed to the calm grooves of 
I’ve been listening to a lot of happy music this month. That’s a trend I don’t want to end just yet, and it’s a trend that Wolf Gang perpetuates with excellent single “The King And All Of His Men.”
“Highrises In Brooklyn” is a nice coffeehouse lounger that will surely please those disappointed with Regina Spektor’s latest album- or at least fill the gap until her next. Up-and-comer Kelley McRae is one of those likable, smart pop-folksters who is easy on the ears and makes for a very pleasant listen. She played at Barnes and Noble the other night in New York City, and I can’t think of a more perfect environment for her kind of music.
You know that we at PMA love almost any grandiose, orchestral, too-fun-for-its-own-good pop song. Especially if that song has an “ooo” or an “ahh” in it somewhere.
In case you haven’t been tuned in to your music blogs of late, New York’s well-known CMJ music festival took place last week, allowing the current buzz bands their time to shine and make their names known. The wonderful blog 
PMA has already introduced you to Freelance Whales with the 
