While Mumford and Sons have been dominating the airwaves across the British Isles, and rightly so too, we would do well to cast our memories back to 2006 when a band entered our earholes all the way from sunny California giving us a sweet melody of folk, blues and indie rolled in to one roll of luscious, inebriating sound.

Fast forward five years and Cold War Kids are bringing us album number three. Having taken pride in often working of their own accord this time they have enlisted the help of producer Jacquire King (Kings Of Leon, Modest Mouse) to give them some drive and direction.

Yet they have tried vehemently to stay true to the minimalistic recordings that have been the trademark of previous work.

It has worked. This is stripped down indie rock at its finest. Just listen to the chorus of Louder Than Ever for pure symphonic addiction which has you reaching for the repeat moniker.

Cold Toes On The Cold Floor could easily be an Interpol record with its heavily aggressive base and haunting vocals. Reminders here are aplenty of early catchy tunes such as Hang Me Out To Dry.

If you are looking for something to rival the void left when U2 stopped making such records then this won’t be a bad place to start.Truly memorable it may not be, competent and capable it sure is.

LEIGH SANDERS Rating: 3/5