Released 20 years ago
With Our Wallets Full
Cold War Kids · 2006
23 min · 6 tracks · alternative rock
A gritty blend of soulful melodies and raw indie rock energy that reflects the struggles of youthful ambition.
Top tracks — play these first
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Red Wine, Success — This track encapsulates the band's blend of confessional lyrics and upbeat instrumentation, making it a standout example of their early style.
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Expensive Tastes — The song features a compelling narrative about desire and ambition, highlighted by its catchy chorus and tight arrangement, showcasing their songwriting prowess.
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Hair Down — With its infectious rhythm and relatable themes of youthful recklessness, this track serves as an energetic opener that sets the tone for the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting with varied vocal styles but lacks depth for long-term engagement.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo pace with prominent piano and guitar interplay, while the last three tracks shift to a more subdued, reflective tone.
- Vocals often alternate between a gritty shout and a soulful croon, creating a dynamic contrast within individual songs.
- The final track is a demo version, which introduces a rawer sound that differs from the polished production of the earlier tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short energetic listening experience
- infectious hooks for sing-alongs
- raw introspection with grit
- for quick commutes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek polished production quality
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album established Cold War Kids' reputation in the indie rock scene.
- Career context
- With Our Wallets Full is Cold War Kids' debut studio album, released in 2006 as they emerged from the vibrant Los Angeles music scene. Prior to this, they had gained some attention with their EPs, setting expectations high for their first full-length release.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Band of Horses· The National· Modest Mouse
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hair Down 3:43
- 2 Red Wine, Success 2:41
- 3 Tell Me in the Morning 3:42
- 4 Expensive Tastes 5:04
- 5 Rubidoux 4:16
- 6 Sermons vs. The Gospel (demo) 3:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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