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 10/2006

    MASON PROPER
    There Is A Moth In Your Chest

  • reviewed 01/2008

    Four Finger Five
    Four Finger FIve

  • reviewed 07/2014

    JOHN HIATT
    TERMS OF MY SURRENDER

  • reviewed 08/2006

    Liam McKay and the Saints
    Confessions to a Lover

  • reviewed 02/2008

    PAUL THORN
    A LONG WAY FROM TUPELO

  • reviewed 03/2007

    THE ICICLES
    Arrivals & Departures

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.