The third album from The War on Drugs revels in washed out textures, tasteful feedback, and other shoegaze hallmarks. It really sounds a lot like their album cover. However, the Philly-based band veers away from My Bloody Valentine and closer to the Bob Dylan side of the road on Slave Ambient.By Basement DJ: The Doctor
With plenty of "road" songs illustrating rootlessness in America, TWD champion a special, burnout-approved brand of Americana. Front man Adam Granduciel's relaxed vocals compliment the psych-folk shimmer of the guitars and dreamy piano hooks. Slave Ambient functions well as a nighttime companion piece to Kurt Vile's release from earlier this year: Smoke Ring for My Halo (Vile is actually a founding member of TWD, though absent on Slave Ambient). The War on Drugs is currently touring North America and will continue at least through December.
Recommended if you like: Kurt Vile, Washed Out, Eels
Focus Tracks: "I Was There", "Brothers", "Blackwater"