Cold War Kids: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 08/06/07

Indie Rock has been crashing into the “world’s most famous arena” as of late and the blogosphere darlings of last winter – Cold War Kids – decided to weather some predictable internet-backlash in style by opening for the Muse at MSG; an off-beat warm up before crossing the pond for summer festivals and a fall which primarily consists of opening for the White Stripes.  The four Cold War Kids strolled out one-by-one (impeccably dressed for the occasion) onto the stage at exactly 8 pm and eased into one of the strongest tracks off their first release, “Robbers.”  The mellow vibe drew in the still half-empty arena with Matt Aveiro’s percussion keeping pace, as Nathan Willett’s tale of bitter thieves and the blind built and then evaporated peacefully. 

At times early-on, the four piece’s sound seemed a bit thin in “The Mecca” but to help fill up the room and the stage, the guys from Elvis Perkins in Dearland stopped by, adding trombones, clarinets, pianos, saxophones, harmonicas, percussion, and basically anything that wasn’t nailed to the floor.  The growing posse rambled through a few newer tunes and some older winners like “Hospital Beds” and “Hang Me Up to Dry”.  The numbers onstage swelled to as many as nine during the highlight “Saint John” resembling a J Crew ad that had exploded; coming to life with a cacophony accompaniment of emotion.  The 45 minute set ended with the band’s “Quiet, Please!” an odd choice to close with, but by this time the arena was mostly filled and few were in their seats, rather standing and cheering the rising finale to a stellar short set from Long Beach’s own Cold War Kids.  From the L.E.S. to the Bowery to the Garden in eight short months, not a bad career path for these modern troubadours. 

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