Low, moody lighting engulfed The Metro Saturday night when Cold War Kids lead singer Nathan Willett’s bluesy voice cut through the screams of the crowd asking, “Wonder why you don’t like April.”
Backed with minimal drums and guitar, it was the opening line to the song “Dear Miss Lonleyhearts,” from the eponymous album release April. It acted as a very cool opening for the band’s visit to Chicago on their tour for the new album.
If the set started a little too mellow for fans, “Mexican Dogs” followed with Willett and bandmates Matt Maust and Dann Gallucci moving in dizzying circles around the intimate stage.
It was a smart move after 2011’s flop “Mine Is Yours.” The over-thought, over-produced album – thanks to Jacquire King (think Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” his latest commercial success) – was a step in the completely wrong direction from the band’s bluesy, unkempt rock roots to stadium bro rock, illustrated best in “Royal Blue,” inciting the bro rock bounce across the crowd.
It may not have been the album’s fault, but the band had a Chicago venue size downgrade from its last visit in March 2011 to The Riviera Theatre. There’s no denying The Metro is cooler, but if it’s not a conscious decision to play the legendary venue after playing larger ones, it might be a bad sign.
Luckily, “Dear Miss