The War On Drugs
Nov 11
SLAVE TO THE AMBIENT
Where: Barrowland
When: 9 November 2017
Support: The Barr Brothers
Adam Granduciel (WoD’s creator, heart and soul) has managed to add a new twist to the classic rock template with a drifting melodic sound that is also grandiose and tinged with sadness. As many have noted, it has a Springsteen-like quality even though you cannot imagine Springsteen actually playing any WoD song.
The band play very well tonight – Adam on guitar (but not lead), backed up by his band on guitar, bass, drums, keys, sax. The latter provides much of the dreamy quality in the music. They are all proficient, professional musicians but they, and their leader (clothed like a 90s grunge rocker with lank hair, flannel shirt and jeans), lack true rock star presence. The contrast with Van Morrison, who GG saw two nights ago, is striking – like VM, AG hardly spoke to the audience but whereas the former’s presence dominated and bossed the stage and the venue, AG’s personality didn’t dent Barrowland (or maybe it did, maybe he is just a nice, pleasant guy). And maybe it doesn’t matter as the star was the music which the sold out crowd lapped up.
The first half of the set was dominated by the new album A Deeper Understanding with the second half of the set and the encores showcased their breakout album Lost in Dream. ‘In Chains’ opened the show and with its extended solo it set up the rest of the set – and also demonstrated that the new album follows the hoary motto of ‘it ain’t broke don’t fix it’. Whilst the new songs are generally good it was those from Lost in the Dream that provided the highlights, especially the title track and a sublime ‘Under the Pressure’.
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