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 07/2006

    CUT CHEMIST
    The Audience's Listening

  • reviewed 04/2014

    THE BLACK ANGELS
    Clear Lake Forest

  • reviewed 03/2011

    EDDIE SPAGHETTI
    SUNDOWNER

  • reviewed 01/2004

    Southern Culture on the Skids
    MOJO BOX

  • reviewed 11/2012

    EL PERRO DEL MAR
    Pale Fire

  • reviewed 02/2014

    Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band
    Take Me to the Land of Hell

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.