More spud than sputnik
This record is definitely on the irritating side, sounding like many other indie bands that start out ragged and ambitious and then end up making empty yet catchy and extremely popular MOR (Kings of Leon you may take a bow). Take 'Royal Blue' and 'Out of the Wilderness' for example, these are perfectly serviceable songs but the bluster of the soaring vocals and background gospel wailing just grate. Music like this usually soundtracks some teen drama where the characters pout and do a lot of meaningful middle distance staring, the kind of show that makes you want to throw your television out the window or, in this case, give your stereo a good talking to for letting you down so badly.
Other reviews have touched upon the band members religious leanings - which may not be an issue for some - and the lyrics can indeed be a little 'cool vicar' at times. 'Finally Begin' for instance, lets out some of their evangelical fervour out: "Finally open my arms out wide/Finally let you inside" this sort of statement guarantees a cringe from me. Closer 'Flying Upside Down' lays it on particularly thick too. However, these moments aren't too frequent and compared with the overwrought arrangements and vocals seem a minor crime.
Having said all of that on the few occasions when the Cold War Kids do tone it down a bit the songs seem more genuine and listenable. Like on the slightly Prince-esque 'Sensitive Kid' and on 'Bulldozer' where Nathan Willett's falsetto, delayed guitar lines and piano chords recall some of Cave In's quieter, introspective moments until it too gets enveloped in a tide of warbling towards the end. The earnest teenagers that watch the aforementioned TV shows will probably get a lot out of 'Mine Is Yours'. The rest of us? Not so much.