CD of The Week

Philadelphia rockersThe War On Drugsare back after almost four years with the follow-up to their debut album Wagonwheel Blues, which was a hefty blend of Americana classics and roots rock elements. The unmistakable Bob Dylan homage bestowed by frontman Adam Granduciel in that album gets a slight facelift on Slave Ambient in order to let his natural voice shine through with less of a rasp and quaver and more of a croon that likens that of Tom Petty. The same core roots components are all still present, with harmonica, simple driving beats, light guitar riffs and uplifting piano, but there is also this underlying drone that persists throughout the album, making it one cohesive musical piece.

Slave Ambient follows its name to a T with a feel-good, easy-going vibe that flows continuously from one song to the next. “Best Night” and “Brothers” provide the perfect openers to set the album’s mood. In addition to other stand-out tracks like “It’s Your Destiny” and “Baby Missiles,” the album also includes a few complementing tracks of pure ambient instrumentals. “The Animator” provides a foggy and eerie prelude to “Come to the City,” and then there is the reprise for the latter a few tracks later. “Come for It” is very similar and much shorter, and then “Original Slave” (so named most likely to reflect its use as a slave background track and inspiration for the album) contains the same drawn out harmonica and the rapid sixteenth note snare drum trills that echo frequently throughout the album. “Blackwater” was an old song that was reworked and provided the perfect finishing touch to Slave Ambient.

The War On Drugs kick off a national tour with a record release show at Johnny Brenda’sthis Thursday, August 18th.