UPDATE, 6:52 P.M., Jan. 19: The Cold War Kids will have time to redeem themselves and prove they still have the talent. The band will perform at the Bootleg Theater on Jan. 24 and inside Amoeba music store in Hollywood on Jan. 25. These, along with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Jan. 26, will be the last chances to see them before they head abroad.
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Modell gave the group a quite-negative-by-Spin-standards rating of 5 out of 10, though the fans have been more generous at 7 out of 10 (only 12 votes thus far, though). Number ratings for albums are inherently problematic, but we can't blame Modell for being wary of the group's new direction. Many fans didn't like 2008's Loyalty to Loyalty for the same reasons he noted about the new album. However, the group, especially drummer Matt Aveiro, have been very cool to OC Weekly in the past. Time will tell how their supporters warm up to the new material–or not.