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 05/2004

    Rachael Yamagata
    Happenstance

  • reviewed 10/2009

    ROSIE FLORES & THE PINE VALLEY COSMONAUTS
    GIRL OF THE CENTURY

  • reviewed 04/2014

    THUS OWLS
    Turning Rocks

  • reviewed 01/2010

    Mumiy Troll
    Comrade Ambassador

  • reviewed 01/2016

    Swamp Cabbage
    Jive

  • reviewed 12/1969

    Reckless Kelly
    Wicked Twisted Road

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.