FRENCH STYLE FURS

Is Exotic Bait

2014-07-20

  French Style Furs is Nathan Willett and Matt Maust from Cold War Kids, with Nathan Warketin from the band, We Barbarians.  (Also included are guests on percussion, vocals, and horns.) This L.A. band wrote the lyrics for debut, Is Exotic Bait, based on the poetry of 20th century monk, Thomas Merton. The album starts out promising with distorted vocals and fuzzy guitar on opener "Three Friends".  It rocks even more with sludgy bass adding to the mix on second track, "All the Way Down". At this point I am liking it. However, on track three, "The World in My Bloodstream", things get a little sketchy. As the worst track on the album, it introduces keys and heartfelt lyrics to make a pop song like any other. The rest of the disc, while still sometimes offering garage rock overtones is still hit or miss until ninth track, the rocker "Christmas Card" redeems it.  Rebecca Ruth  

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 01/2005

    Arcade Fire
    Funeral

  • reviewed 08/2008

    RANDY NEWMAN
    Harps and Angels

  • reviewed 12/2012

    WEST END MOTEL
    Only Time Can Tell

  • reviewed 01/2007

    SONDRE LERCHE and the FACES DOWN
    Phantom Punch

  • reviewed 02/2006

    WILLIE NILE
    Streets of New York

  • reviewed 05/2006

    Janove Ottensen
    Francis' Lonely Nights

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.