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CATCHING COLD
Cold War Kids triple the fun
You have no excuse not to see Cold War Kids this month. Yes, I’m talking to you, Mr. Skinny Jeans. You too, Ms. Chunky Bangs. The quirk-tacular men of Cold War Kids are playing three shows in New York over the next three weeks, and by golly, they deserve some support. But if tenacity and a strong work ethic don’t make you foam at the mouth, then perhaps a spin of the group’s Robbers & Cowards will jolt your jollies. A stiff skeleton of drums, guitar, bass and keys backs lead singer Nathan Willett’s vibrato-heavy vocal, which is more Luke Jenner of the Rapture than Jeff Buckley. The disc isn’t quite as exciting as the group’s live shows, so if you sort of liked the album, then you’ve got something to anticipate. And with three venues hosting the Kids this month, you’ve got big decisions to make, so you must choose and choose wisely.
Venue: Pianos
Vibe: This Lower East Side hang is BFF (best friends forever, duh) with Cake Shop and the Living Room and all those other places in that area that offer get-to-know-your-neighbor cramped quarters. Still, Pianos’ tight space on the main floor guarantees a good rub down from a stranger while you enjoy the jams, and seeing as these post-holiday times specialize in emphasizing the gaping hole of loneliness in your heart, you might benefit from some wayward hands and “accidental” ass-grazing.
Verdict: Pianos is a nice place, but even though you might be in need of some personal contact, it’s still not much fun watching a concert in a space that offers about as much room as a subway car during morning rush hour. And it will definitely be crowded the night of this show … because it’s sold out, suckas! Better luck next time.
Jan. 10, Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. (at Stanton St.),
212-505-3733; 9, SOLD OUT.
Venue: Union Hall
Vibe: Spacious, lovely and provider of great bocce ball fun, Union Hall has character. But, it’s in Park Slope, so if you’re a Manhattanite who can handle touching your toes to the foreign soil of Brooklyn, then commute away.
Verdict: It looks like Union Hall wins by default (with limited tickets available at the door). What remains a mystery is how the Cold War Kids managed to sell out all three of their shows already. Didn’t the music gurus at Pitchfork say, “With superficial storytelling, monolithic melodies and the heavy-handed symbolism of a school project, Robbers & Cowards insults our intelligence a few times too often” … Or translated, that the band didn’t offer anything new and was just plain bad? Well, apparently if the Cold War Kids are bad, the group still makes some ticket holders feel oh-so-good.
Jan. 17, Union Hall, 702 Union St. (at 5th Ave.), Park Slope, B’klyn, 718-638-4400; 8, $12.50 (limited tickets at door).
Venue: Mercury Lounge
Vibe: Concertgoers who actually attend shows to listen to the music instead of simply to relish in the scenery will appreciate Mercury Lounge’s acoustics: The way the sound disperses to every corner of the room is like audio magic. The low lighting makes everyone appear easy on the eyes, and those who tire from long periods of standing can grab one of the seats on the side of the room. Mercury Lounge also does everyone the service of having different rooms for the bar and the stage, meaning the chatty bar crowd doesn’t interfere with the show. But fear not, audience members: The Lounge has a small window (usually run by one surly attendant) that bridges the gap between the two rooms and gives those watching the show access to beverages without taking them away from the tunes.
Verdict: Mercury Lounge offers more elbow room than Pianos without taking away that small club feeling. This one would be a great pick for checking out the Cold Ward Kids … too bad it’s also sold out. In the name of Williamsburg: What the L?!!
Jan. 24, Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St.
(at Ave. A), 212-260-4700; 10:30, SOLD OUT.
Cold War Kids continue the fight for dour college-rock with three NYC gigs.
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