Music Banter - View Single Post - Lost In The Dream [2014]

Watmoo · 03-19-2014, 10:30 AM

I'm new here! I guess this will be my introduction.

Rating:
9.3

Lost In The Dream
Artist – The War On Drugs (2014)

Let’s all face it, about six years ago, The War on Drugs was punched in the nuts. The loss of Kurt Vile was a sure an indicator of decline — an indicator of grave trouble — or perhaps even death. But six years and two albums later — all signs of health indicate that Adam Granduciel and The War on Drugs are better than ever. Wagonwheel Blues was certainly something of classic, but one could make the case that the band has actually gotten better. As far as ‘rise-from-the-ashes’ stories go, this one is exciting — Lost In the Dream is one of year’s best albums.

My experience with the album is one of unparallel suspense. Each track finds ways to be hesitant — to suspend reality — before ultimately unveiling some rolling groove. Because of this, it’s hard to think of the album as a series of tracks — but rather — a series of emotions — which seem to appear at random times during each track. There is the lofty happiness that hits the road on tracks like Red Eyes (which we’ve known about for some time) and Burning (which has fantastic depth). But there is also struggle and sadness — which you find in Lost In the Dream.

Lyrically, the album is chilling, joyful, nostalgic, quiet, and profoundly reflective. In many ways it is also sad. Granduciel seems to sing of a world that cannot be reached. At times it is hard to tell if this world is a dream of the future or if it is the happiness of his past. Either way, it seems that he doesn’t know what to do next — which is just the easiest thing to relate to — I’d be hard pressed to define a more universal feeling.

The songs are long. There are hardly any choruses. There are pieces — flavored moods — parts — subtly different — each layered with strange sounds that you have not heard before. It is wonderful. Poignant notes indicate the transition between these highly varied segments. The segments seem to twinkle like stars and creep into existence like the static of a radio. Again, it is wonderful.

The beginning of the album is energetic — full of motion. But it soon slows down — becomes something much more emotional — starts to remind you of things from your own past. It has that magical quality — it is hard to listen to without thinking of something else — without doing a little reflection of your own. To call it ‘captivating’ would only glaze the effect.

Occasionally, we begin to describe music as beautiful. Sometimes this is just a reflection of talent or genius. But other times, it is because the music is soft and delicate — genuine — heartfelt — it sings you to sleep at night — it’s easy — and it makes you remember that the world can be a sweet and harmonious place. When you fall into the swirl of this album, you’ll quickly realize that beauty — it is readily apparent.

-Watmoo

03-19-2014, 10:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Watmoo Groupie Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 7	Lost In The Dream [2014] – The War On Drugs I'm new here! I guess this will be my introduction. Rating: 9.3 Lost In The Dream Artist – The War On Drugs (2014) Let’s all face it, about six years ago, The War on Drugs was punched in the nuts. The loss of Kurt Vile was a sure an indicator of decline — an indicator of grave trouble — or perhaps even death. But six years and two albums later — all signs of health indicate that Adam Granduciel and The War on Drugs are better than ever. Wagonwheel Blues was certainly something of classic, but one could make the case that the band has actually gotten better. As far as ‘rise-from-the-ashes’ stories go, this one is exciting — Lost In the Dream is one of year’s best albums. My experience with the album is one of unparallel suspense. Each track finds ways to be hesitant — to suspend reality — before ultimately unveiling some rolling groove. Because of this, it’s hard to think of the album as a series of tracks — but rather — a series of emotions — which seem to appear at random times during each track. There is the lofty happiness that hits the road on tracks like Red Eyes (which we’ve known about for some time) and Burning (which has fantastic depth). But there is also struggle and sadness — which you find in Lost In the Dream. Lyrically, the album is chilling, joyful, nostalgic, quiet, and profoundly reflective. In many ways it is also sad. Granduciel seems to sing of a world that cannot be reached. At times it is hard to tell if this world is a dream of the future or if it is the happiness of his past. Either way, it seems that he doesn’t know what to do next — which is just the easiest thing to relate to — I’d be hard pressed to define a more universal feeling. The songs are long. There are hardly any choruses. There are pieces — flavored moods — parts — subtly different — each layered with strange sounds that you have not heard before. It is wonderful. Poignant notes indicate the transition between these highly varied segments. The segments seem to twinkle like stars and creep into existence like the static of a radio. Again, it is wonderful. The beginning of the album is energetic — full of motion. But it soon slows down — becomes something much more emotional — starts to remind you of things from your own past. It has that magical quality — it is hard to listen to without thinking of something else — without doing a little reflection of your own. To call it ‘captivating’ would only glaze the effect. Occasionally, we begin to describe music as beautiful. Sometimes this is just a reflection of talent or genius. But other times, it is because the music is soft and delicate — genuine — heartfelt — it sings you to sleep at night — it’s easy — and it makes you remember that the world can be a sweet and harmonious place. When you fall into the swirl of this album, you’ll quickly realize that beauty — it is readily apparent. -Watmoo Last edited by Watmoo; 03-19-2014 at 11:10 AM.