Reviews (page 9 of 14)
I’m with drugs in this one.
Fahrstuhlmusik.
This is indeed a great album. Sonically, it was to me like chicken pot pie, but in a good sense. Kind of heavy, and kind of soupy, but punctuated with some bright peas and carrots. Very comforting.
Really Fantastic! Five stars.
Really really really liked this. Under the pressure is of course stand out but every song was good in my eyes. Very excited to see them live soon with Sam Fender
A few individual songs I ADORE, but overall it didn't capture me. I'll probably come back to it though, and may like it more.
Not my thing when the vocals sound like this
Groovy. Enjoyed this one more than I imagined I would.
This album was exactly what I needed after a very bad weekend. My best experience with a new album yet, I think.
Very nice but the songs are a bit long. Standout tracks: Under The Pressure, Red Eyes
This was fine. At times it felt between a cross between Bryan Adams and Bob Dylan.
Classic arena rock with ambient dream pop tones, distorted vocals and swirling guitar solos. Sounds like a heavily reverbed Paul Simon collaborating with M83, with some interesting sonic textures, warm and repetitive, strumming and pulsing! A more accessible Bob Dylan style vocals echo in such a way that lyrics are rendered obscure, hooks are incidental. At other times it sounds like Bruce Springsteen being produced by Phil Spector, or a less memorable My Morning Jacket. "Burning" transcends the pleasant pulsing familiarity that otherwise makes this album generic indie rock from the early aughts and twenty-teens, though it does remind me of Dancing in the Dark. Considering I associate the War on Drugs with an internet mediated feud with Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters and Sun Kill Moon (that was mostly Kozelek being an aging curmudgeon and tangentially related to competing performance slots at a music festival where Kozelek complained about the volume of their music), but never felt inspired to listen to The War on Drugs before now.
Soft mild vibes, a good part was just instrumental, occasionally there were some mumbly vocals. Good background music, suitable for post-credit nothingness. 3.5 rounded down for length. Stand-out: Suffering
This was a pleasant surprise. A cool chill album to ease into 2025.
Not unpleasant, I rarely find music unpleasant, but just a bit bland
Poor man’s Bruce Springsteen. This band is close to being great, but something is missing. I can’t put my finger on it, but maybe it’s because I could play drums for this band - so basic. The songs just don’t go anywhere. I want to go on a ride and they don’t do it for me.
никакое
Easy listening rock with some light synth sounds sprinkled within. Highly boring and lame. Not a single song stood out to me. More synth sounds would have made the album a bit edgier. I doubt I will listen to the album again.
Muy bueno. Crea un ambiente de gradualismo lindo mientras pasan muchas cosas
it was okay. the album all kind of sounded the same. 3 stars
I really kinda like this album quite a bit. There is a lot of this album that sounds inspired by that transition 70/80s rock i get vibes of Straits, Floyd, Petty, Springsteen influence with a glimmer of Millennial sheen. One thing this album does well which can be a land mind for be is extendeding an ending a few minutes after the song is done. In the right hands if find it enjoyable and I think they hit that sweet spot. (8.4) ★★★★
A few really good tracks, but most of it is boring and one dimensional. 3.5 stars
I like the overall sound, and I think there's some good tunes here, like "Red Eyes" and "An Ocean Between the Waves", but I feel like it's just too samey overall. By the end, I kind of knew when the next song was gonna sound like before it came on. I thought 4 might be too generous, but knowing the other music that came out in 2014, 4 stars seems appropriate.
A smoggy shoegazey Springsteenish spectacular for a good hour span, this starts off so spiffingly with supercharged widescreen epics like Under The Pressure and Red Eyes. And whilst it is generally strong throughout it does get deeply samey with all the constant smoggy, shoegazey widescreen Springsteenish epics. Still one of the standout releases from 2014 though.
High 4 stars
Psych rock qui prend son temps
I was surprised to see this on here and was originally excited to listen and learn more about the band. While the production is great and the songs are well written and executed, reading more about Granduciel and his view of the album / band has left a bad taste. I like the use of guitar and harmonized melodic sections to confer working through the depressed / anxious states, and the general uncertainty of it all. Difficult to tell at times if it is more prideful or vulnerable and the integrity of the music vs the obsessiveness Granduciel had with it.
Cool.
Started off strong, and I enjoy the Springsteen vibes, but every song is too long, and there's too much ambient noise filler.
Read their pretentious Spotify profile and try to give this more than a 3
Brilliant
Sure it’s not the most groundbreaking original sound, but I enjoyed listening to it a lot. And in the end, isn’t that what it’s about?
This is vibe. 10 out of 10! When I turned on the first track, I thought it was kind of normal, but somehow it doesn't catch on. He didn't turn it off. And then by minute 10 of listening, it hit me like it came from a bong. I've rethought my whole life. It's like a psychotherapy session or a good smoke break.
First album after an almost 2 week hiatus has found me unfocused and unserious. I can’t fairly judge this album as I barely functioned as my weekday self/in my weekday routine today. The vibes were cool, I think I’ll circle back at some point because I enjoyed it more than not, but I think it’s a combo of my brain being at 60% and this album being super chill that it blurred together for me. It’s a nice sound, and I think if I had had coffee before the album I could’ve told you which songs or lyrics I liked, but as it is, and within the constraints of the info I retained from listening, it *feels* cool. I liked what I heard and aside from the double sided coin that is a constant and chill vibe, I have no complaints.
I listened to this album on a car ride on Friday and then three times on an international flight over the weekend. Grant, on that flight I was pretty heavy into Stardew Valley on the switch, but this album did nothing for me. It was fine as background music, but honestly I could discern where tracks started or stopped. Pretty unforgettable, but not deserving of a one.
It was an enjoyable indie rock album! His voice kind of gave me bob dylan vibes. Nothing super spectacular to make me come back probably.
I actually liked it. Mood music with a few fun melodies. Very dreamlike, per the title.
When your friends ask you to play some background music for the hangout so you put on Lost In The Dream because you’re a chill guy.
I've actually heard of this band prior to starting the list. I was studying at the library in college when I first heard "Red Eyes". I was listening to a random local radio station based out of Portland Oregon on the iHeartRadio website when it came on. I liked it at the time, but never really followed up with the band. They're sound is right up my alley especially at the time. Perfect music to listen to while studying. I'm glad I did a full album, and I'll keep them in the rotation. The War On Drugs has the most mid 2010's sound, and I discovered them in the most mid 2010's way.
I had heard a few from the album before. I found myself really enjoying the album- their sound is mellow and understated but still captivating. I found that sometimes the songs seemed to meld into each other. Still- I found myself enjoying a lot of the songs. Overall- probably 3.5/5, but not quite a 4
This album sounds like when you're at an outdoor stadium concert and it's the opening song and the band really stretches out the intro and there's an anxious lull as you're waiting for the first verse to properly start... that feeling, but extended for 60 minutes. The instrumentation doesn't deliver the spontaneity you'd expect from a jazz band or jam band - The War On Drugs is heartland rock not dissimilar from The Killers albeit with inexplicably greater hype - so the overall sensation is basically akin to edging.
Best band since the 70s. Brilliant. I love this.
No skips. This is the porchetta of albums—so velvety rich! At times Rod Stewart’s full-bodied sound, at others Dylan’s weary lyricism, plus some Springsteen-y sad harmonica. These guys reallllly take the time to let a moment land, which is forgivable when the product is this good.
kinda chill
Very generic, quite inspiring. Every song kind of felt the same.
I just wish the vocals were a little louder on some of the tracks.
Mellow high level background music for me. Like enough words to actually listen to but can also just tune out and enjoy
A modern day dire straits - not a good thing nor a bad thing - needs a bit more war and a bit more drugs
Not feeling this one at all really
I really wanted to like this more. The final track shows the potential.
I love this band. They are kickin it in the background of life, and remind me so much of another band like them, super talented, great songwriting, solid sound of musicians playing tg for more than 20yrs, Turin Brakes/UK - hopefully they'll be on this 1001... so much quality and a soothing sound - War on Drugs are consistent in their sound and I was happy to discover them thru headphones on an LIRR train to Garden City w a friend from 7th grade, years ago (thanks Vicki!) I happily listen to them any day, always glad they're around.
I haven't listened to this before, and I'm hooked. It's so beautifully performed. Emotional. The songs are hypnotic.
Luminous. Intricately detailed. Grandiose. Brian Wilson by way of Springsteen. The craft is undeniable. But it also moves you. This album started a run as impressive as any in the modern rock sphere - such that it is. A true album that ebbs and flows as a single piece. They manage this trick as a live act as well as any band I have ever seen - each crescendo building and retreating, adding layers with each revolution until they achieve lift off - only a few feet off the ground but defying gravity nonetheless.
I enjoyed some things on this album like 3 tracks listed below which leaned more into the indie rock side of things. However, the majority of this album more resembled Explosions In The Sky-esque wonderous film score vibes. While that's not always a bad thing (I do love Explosions), I would have preferred the indie side to have been more relied upon. Not an all-around bad record, just meandered a bit for my liking. Notable Tracks: - Red Eyes - Eyes To The Wind - Burning 5/10
Was cool
Really good album. Easy to put on and play all day.
3/5
Kind of easy listening, doesn't hurt the ears but not memorable either. 3.2
Optimistic indie with infectious melodies.
It's not bad and unlisten-able, but its really boring and nothing I would voluntarily listen to. 2/5
Instantly forgettable - not bad by any stretch but not something I am ever going to listen again, or recognise if it plays.
Don’t think I’ve heard this before. I saw them live and felt like every song was somewhat repetitive and dragged out. I felt similarly about the album. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t vary enough to keep things interesting. Burning is a great song still.
For an 80s kid, this feels like slipping into an old familiar sweatshirt ... preferably with D.A.R.E on the front. One of my favorite Onion headlines of all time is: Stoners Declare Victory in the War on Drugs. Yes, the good guys won, and this album is perfect for driving fast on the highway or ripping down the slope on your shred stick on a bluebird day ... with nowhere to go and nowhere to be ...
With Lost In The Dream, Adam Granduciel and co. have managed to bring Springsteen-esque heartland rock back in style. The more upbeat tracks sound like the perfect accompaniment to a road trip, while the slower cuts lean towards a more somber and contemplative mood. Some of the atmospheric segments may overstay their welcome, but at the same time add to the overall dreamlike vibes of the record. This isn't complicated music, but it does a great job of capturing a feeling of equal parts nostalgia and hopefulness. Highlights: -Under The Pressure -Red Eyes -An Ocean Between The Waves -Eyes To The Wind Lowlights: -Suffering -The Haunting Idle
great atmosphere
Had never heard of them. Enjoyed it...pleasing sound but never dull.
Never heard this album before. First listen is really enjoyable, great chill vibe that still moves and sounds interesting. I certainly hear a lot of 80s influence in the music. Will have to listen to it again to see how it resonates, but a solid album I'm glad I've heard.
This one really grew on me. It’s way more than the sum of its parts. Perfect album for driving through snowy woods.
Really apt album title.
Reminds me a bit of arcade fire or the national, bands that I feel like I should like more. Beautiful instrumentals but I mostly found them boring. I liked the build-up in some of these songs, but I often just struggled through. 3
A very chill and dreamy alternative rock album that was perfect for an evening drive yesterday, but ultimately one I find quite forgettable as soon as it’s over
I’ve never really taken the time to listen to The War on Drugs (even though I love the song “Pain”) and have always felt that I would like them a lot if I did. And after listening to this album, I do! “An Ocean in Between the Waves” really stood out to me, but there’s quite a few great tracks here with some excellent driving guitar riffs and thoughtful vocals. This is a mellow, almost longingly lonely record, but it really encapsulates an “indie” sound that I do enjoy. A great album to listen to while driving, with some definite influence from Bruce & Bob Dylan. A happy new discovery of music I enjoy and an album that I’ll certainly listen to again.
Liked the album opener "Under the Pressure" but it kind of went downhill from there for me. The songs have a dreamy feel to them where all the instruments work together but seldom really stand out. And that's the formula throughout albeit with varying tempos. Additionally, the songs are pretty long averaging around 6 minutes give or take. So if you love this, you are definitely getting your money's worth. I found myself looking forward to the album ending about 45 minutes in... Overall it's not a bad album. There just aren't any songs that moved me. It's a solid 5 out of 10 for me.
Brandon Flowers core
I really like this one. Initially I wasn't getting what it was going for, but then it became obvious it was supposed to be larger-than-life Springsteenian rock but for intimate venues rather than arenas. I do love larger-than-life rock music. Key tracks: Under the Pressure Red Eyes An Ocean Between the Waves
Its fine 3/5
не впечатлил
Great, not listened before, liked it very much.
Fine as background music
I love this album. Incredible guitar work over excellent melodies.
solid album, well produced, vocals feel like blend of Paul Simon and Bob Dylan
Kind of generic dad rock
This album reminds me a lot of Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. album, including all the things that annoyed me about that. A snare drum every 2 beats for 45 mins and mostly samesy music. I will say that this had far more ambient music than I was expecting based on the radio edits of Under Pressure and Red Eyes that I've heard. Overall though, pretty underwhelmed by this album and by most of what I've heard from The War on Drugs in general. An Ocean In Between the Waves is a cool build up of a song.
it was okay, rather long
War on Drugs is one of those bands that I've always been curious about but never took the time to seek out. I guess I've been missing out! They cleared have picked some great influences to emulate and they pull it off well. The likes of Springsteen and Neil Young are here but with a heavy stadium pop/rock sound. I can see taste makers getting very excited about this band and then abandoning them for getting too mainstream. But those are often some of the best bands, able to straddle the line between underground and pop audiences. I also hadn't realised that Kurt Vile was part of this band (though not on this album). 'Lost in the Dream' has been a great find.
Why on earth would you try to sound like Dylan? Why?
Bruce Springsteen combined with Paul Simon. Not as good as either of those, but still really enjoyable
Great guitar sound
I don't think I have heard of this band, but the song Red Eyes sounds familiar. I can't place where I may have listened to it before unless it was a "since you like this music listen to this" addition to the end of queue.
Class
Mélancolique et planant. La cadence de la voix me fait parfois penser à Bob Dylan
Middle of the road album, sounded like 80’s which is not a bad thing. Also vocalist sounds like a more coherent Bob Dylan.
Ah nothing like a slightly better Bob Dylan
eh. Nothing very special. I did like the instrumental bits, track 7 was nice but it all kinda sounded the same. I did like how ethereal it sounded but the tracks have a tendency to just go on and on with no end goal that they're pushing towards they just kind of exist for two unnecessary minutes longer than they should. Also the dude's voice sounded like Bob Dylan on most tracks and sometimes sounded like a mashup of Dylan and Eddie Vedder on "Yellow Ledbetter" cause I could not understand about 90% of what he said. Not a fan of the voice or the unnecessary length but musically it sounded mostly solid.
meh. musically it was nice (enjoyed the piano on several tracks), but it did all blend together. was nice enough as background music. vocally, he reminded me of a hipster Bob Dylan (not a fan).
All time greatest. Just an amazing sound, iconic, ownable. Reminds me of stephanie garges hanging out in oakland.
The fucking shit, ich bin irgendwo, nur nicht hier
At first I thought this was another ONE of those ONE albums on this list. It came around though and really has some tracks of some like modern folk(Americana)vibes.
Got that nostalgia sound to it. A want to go back to better times. They sound like Noah Kahan (I need to listen to that new album of his) and his predecessors like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. I have heard a song of theirs ‘Red Eyes’. Although I probably heard it in some corporate setting I don’t hate it. This album is the perfect encapsulation of not all art has to have deep, layered, opinions and viewpoints, but can just be comforting and familiar feeling. The album is about relations past experiences and lost people and things throughout our lives and those themes perfectly encapsulates this album, not a profound thought but a modest reminiscence. A good one at that. This was a joyful listening experience 7/10.
I've listened 3x in the background and I'm not sick of it yet… but it has also not caught my interest once.
Pretty good, the long songs were good. Some of the more instrumental ones were not that great but enjoyed this one.
Listened to this on my flight, it was very lovely.
7.5/10 - I liked the guitar on a bunch of the songs. Was not expecting it to be as good as it was.
Not usually into this upbeat Americana folk stuff but this was actually pretty good. Enjoyed most of it
4.3 - Okay, there really isn't anything wrong with this album and I really loved listening to it. But I just don't think there is anything challenging in it. It's just really good, but not great.
A very good album, but nothing groundbreaking in the sound palette. Fave Tracks: Under the Pressure, Red Eyes, An Ocean in Between the Waves, In Reverse 4.1/5
喜歡，有搖滾的活力卻又不過分張揚，編曲也很流暢但不流俗。
He sounds a bit like ... Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and so on. Unfortunately, sounding a 'bit like' a genuine artist means that they aren't as good as that artist. I'm not really a fan of Dylan or Petty, but if I want to listen to someone who sounds like them....I'll listen to them!
Quite nice, especially if you liked U2 in 1983.
Virkelig dejligt album. Stor 4'er. Sangeren minder mig om en eller anden, kan ikke huske hvem det er - det er ikke Bob Dylan, det er ikke Dire Straits, men noget lidt i den retning
Mit TWOD hot take er at de plader der kommer før og efter den her begge to er bedre, men jeg kunne lide den bedre end jeg huskede den! Alle sangene er gode! (Men mange af dem behøvede ikke at være så lange, sorry)
I might be biased but.. This album was on my former "sleeping playlist", which I heard in excess of 300 times. Had to hear it on vinyl.... and a few times during the day. So happy this album is on this list. It's just great throughout.
Really enjoyed this on a Monday morning. The vocals, guitar, and keys all worked well together and there's a soothing sound to it all. 8/10 (4/5)
This was a great listen - moody, cool guitar, interesting voice but without being overly weird. A bit too depressing to be on regular rotation for me. I liked the Springsteen style guitar and sax combo
I actually quite like this album. I’ve heard some songs before but didn’t recognise the band name. Reminds me of old school American rock, but has some nice indie synth elements
Listenable
snooze
There's some rousing songs on here but I find it hard to really engage with the music. Still awesome live though.
enjoyed this a decent amount but won’t go back probably
Meh. Didn’t grab my interest at all
Not a bad record. Not much differentiation between songs but they have a nice sound
Not profound, some other reviews are lowk trolling.
4 sterne
Oh, you know, I feel like Eyes to the Wind is like a beautiful, colourful flag flying on a ship of quiet shadows. It certainly has depth. And waves. Echoes.
Not listened to this for a while, it still sounds as good as it did when Joe bought it for me one Christmas :) There's far more atmosphere in this than most rock albums, it's a hazy, often gentle atmosphere, sometimes retro but still modern. With long intros and outros it's quite cinematic and is a great album for a car journey. Some great guitar, his voice often sounds like Dylan but works. It works as a complete album but 'Eyes To The Wind' stands out and I have always loved 'An Ocean In Between The Waves', which sounds like a faster, updated, Americanised version of 'A Forest' by The Cure,. I only just noticed that! One of my favourite guitar tracks this century :)
Incredible start but it does slowly fade, for me. First 2 tracks are excellent music. :)
Ethereal
Under the pressure indeed
Levon gives it an extra star
Love this album. It’s always on my plane flight list of favorites to chill and listen to while traveling. Good mix of 80s production and grooves. Dig it.
Chill rock, mixing styles, nice in the background.
Excellent all the way through but one of the best bands of the last decade. "Under the Pressure" absolutely slays live and there are four or five other excellent cuts here. One rates A Deeper Understanding a slightly better record overall, but this is a strong and thoughtful and engaging listen. No reason for it to have been exed.
Not quite as good as “A Deeper Understanding”, but still a mighty fine album. 4.5 (but rounding up :P)
8/10. Ended very well. Loved the instrumental leads into songs.
Opens like some of the most derivative 80's music I've heard, and doesn't really improve from there. Sounds a bit like Bruce Springsteen with better guitar playing and songwriting, but a lot less edginess.
This was a chill listen for an early day 1 hour road trip on an overcast Saturday. The first couple tracks were probably the strongest, but it flowed well and was just about the right length. Didn’t save anything to a playlist and most likely won’t revisit, but it was above average. 3.5/5
I’ve always enjoyed this album ever since it was released. Over the last decade I found myself returning to it more than enough times to merit high ratings. And yet strangely it’s still hard to hum or distinguish the tracks. Except of course for “Burning” which is an obvious modern day steal of Rod Stewart’s “Young Turks.” Other influences are also obvious, from Dylan and Petty, to The Waterboys and Orbison. Overall the production is progressive, pleasant and chill, but unfortunately a bit too homogeneous. And yet I will probably still find myself returning to this as the mood calls since it is a really good record still.
I love this album and most of what these guys do. Great live show also
A little sleepy for me. Put it on a couple times over the weekend but honestly I don’t really remember much. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Not a very insightful review but perhaps appropriate for how I feel about this. 2.75
Pretty solid but not exceptional. I like how AM recommended a Dad Rock playlist when I started listening. Pretty fitting. Def an enjoyable listen but not a standout so caps out at a 3 for me. 3.25/5
Nice little chill, mostyl instrumental album. Nice one!
very indie, very 2010, very much enjoyed (a song was in Paper Towns, and we know how annoying i feel about that)
Reminds of U2 but softer
These odes to depression and grief don't do much for me. This one was rather well done though.
Sounds a bit like Springsteen if he just took a sleeping pill.
I couldn't figure out who it reminded me of, but I really dug the vibe of this. A little grunge-y new alternative kind of feeling? Will re-visit TWOD for sure after this
I've never really "got" The War On Drugs. They aren't bad just never really clicked with me. I've seen them live at a festival one time and thought they put on a show but I don't really remember anything from them. Anyways 6/10
Loved the sit although most songs sound like identical copies hahaha
General impression: one of my favorites from a decade ago, holds up amazingly Detailed review: I knew I loved this album, but I haven’t revisited it a whole lot since the year it came out for some reason, and going back to it, I was right to love it. Wow, it’s an incredible heartland indie-rock album, one of the best ever made, I think. Almost every song hits, and the best ones, like “An Ocean in Between the Waves” and “Under the Pressure” and “Disappearing” (at least half the tracklist honestly) are totally stunning in sound, production, performance, and songwriting. The words are deeply felt and sung. The guitar solos are the bleeding heart of the album. Everything feels true and right. Deeper thoughts (context): Hasn’t been topped by anything in the genre to come out since. Score: 4.9 (5 for this list) Number of albums left to review: 971 Number of albums from the list I’d consider “must-listens”: 17 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 13
i guess it was fine. Didn't really see the hype on the album
Not for me.
I had never heard of the band or the album so I had no idea what to expect. I ended up enjoying it so I listened to it a second time. It's not particularly memorable music but it's hitting me right. I like the dreamy, gaze off into the distance quality of it and the distinct 80's vibe. Enjoyable background music that I'd listen to again. 3.75/5
There is a consistent sound through this album that does make the songs indistinguishable to some extent. However I didn't mind listening to it a few times through while working.
Some songs have an 80's vibe that I don't particularly care for, but I can't deny that they're well done. Some of these songs also sound exactly like The Head and the Heart to the point where I had to check Wikipedia to see if there was crossover (the answer is either no or I'm too lazy to find a yes). Anyway, this was a largely enjoyable listen. 3.9
I enjoyed it when I listened to it but by the end of the day I thought I had forgotten to listen to todays album. That is not a good sign.
quite bland
An enjoyable listening experience!!
Pretty good! Passed me by a bit but that’s not uncommon.
This album is completely unremarkable. It has no business being on this list.
I guess there's nothing offensively wrong with this (except for the drums being rubbish and repetitive) It just had no personality, it's like if you asked AI to make Americana
I’m such a big fan of albums with constant 6+ mins songs compared to just loads of 2min songs
I guess it's good but it's kind of boring. Like I wouldn't listen to this on my own. I'm not gonna complain about listening to it at all. Just a tad long and generic.
Not quite what I was expecting from either the band name or the album art, but I enjoyed this. I’m a sucker for this kind of sound and, despite the subject matter, found it oddly relaxing. I’ll definitely listen to this again.
Interesting but overall too much of the reverb. Definitely worth more than one listen. Also I was expecting more war and more drugs.
Really liked and lead singer's voice is a bit reminiscent of Bob Dylan.
Fine but a little forgettable
Really liked it! On a 4 streak lately
Lost in the Dream is the third studio album by The War on Drugs, originally released in 2014. I'm familiar with this band but never gave them a listen until now. I'm digging this. They're obviously pretty inspired by 80s indie rock and even some ambient stuff like Eno. A few of these songs delve into these cool psychedelic ambient passages. The vocal delivery reminds me a bit of Tom Petty. The production is super airy and these tracks have space to breathe. It actually reminds me a lot of Turnover's "Peripheral Vision", which would release the following year. This definitely warrants further listens.
It's a bit long and samey, and he sounds like Bob Dylan
mjög gott
This album washed over me like a warm waterfall. Wistful, wonderful, their use of reverb really tugged on my heart (esp "Burning"). Now I want to see these guys live. My one gripe is that many of the songs sounded similar.
Pretty pretty pretty good. I'd listen again, good commute album.
Didn’t hate it
A few good moments, general vibe was ok, nothing that will change the world. Sounded like a lot of other similar equally generic bands from the last few years though.
Very chill music. Enjoyable in the moment, but a little forgettable. His voice kind of reminds me of Bob Dylan, but better?
The more ambient sounding stuff good. The Dylan-esque tracks shite.
I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about this band and came out being very pleasantly surprised. Disclaimer, at some points it was irritatingly boring HOWEVER I am feeling optimistic today. This was a pretty album that was calming and peaceful and I liked it. His voice sounds youthful- not necessarily young but I like the sound that it brings to the gentle music. I like it a lot!
Opening up an album with a 9 minute song - what is this, peak Genesis? Alas, it is not (and for that we are all the lesser) but off the top it still emerged as a nice soundscape. Through this first song it's a little same-y by alternating between 2 chord sequences virtually the entire time, but altering the mood with different arrangements helps a lot. It's a well-done track but might have been better served as the/an album closer? A lot of David Gray sound to it which is somewhat troubling in that he has an immediately-accessible sound/voice which got/gets old very fast. So those were thoughts just through said first 9 minutes / first song and the rest of the album kind of held up to my last thought there - it just all doesn't go much further in a lot of ways... It all sounds *nice* - very nice. But it washes over me, and each song is far too long for its own good - these would have been much better-served being 3.5-4 minute songs with a clear chorus - actually a rare album where I think they (he?) should have set a goal of being more commercial in terms of appeal. There's a lot of meandering around a simple/nice idea to the point where suddenly 5 minutes have gone by, I'd forgotten what I was listening to, and wow is it the same song? huh. One specific example: I don't love the repetitive "drum" tracks; especially on track 4 "An Ocean in Between the Waves; this could/should have been much more emotional impact on this song - it's good but without a live drummer it fails for me. Also: it's all a little too Arcade Fire meets Bob Dylan for my tastes. TL;DR: It doesn't feel right giving this a low grade because it's so melodic and a lot of care, effort, and talent was put into it. It just left me wanting a lot more and ended up being not edgy or mysterious enough for me to put it in keeper status. It's a nice listen, but that's as far as I can get behind it. 5/10 3 stars.
Decent but not great
Kinda a vibe
Good album. Easy listening.
Totally hypnotic in the feeling it creates. The kind of music you play on a train as you travel across the American plains (speaking as a non-yank who has never done that, but this image has a pulling resonance). Chugging drums and a soaring, nostalgic mood. Loved it.
This was just kind of boring to me. A blend of The Eagles softer rock and Bob Dylan's folk. It wasn't bad at all - it was good to have on as background, but none of it felt memorable or stood out.
Snoozefest
Once again I’m left bemused by why someone felt strongly that this warranted a place on this list. Perhaps it was close to a publication deadline and they wanted to take a punt on something new with a mildly evocative name. Sadly the music is as bland as rich tea biscuits with one or two moments of vague interest.
This is just Bob Dylan singing Bruce Springsteen songs with reverb. It is fine, it is very chill but nothing ground breaking or that memorable. Low 4.
Another odd album! At times this had a beautiful chill vibe with very atmospheric dream pop sounds. Then it kicked up a gear and we got an awful Bruce Springsteen impression!
Pretty good
Cool. Chill.
i wasnt very enticed by the sound. normally hard for me to get into albums that are predominantly long songs.
Really well made Indierock album by an artist I hadn't heard about before. The songs are easy to listen to and the whole album sets a mood with the first song and gets you stuck in it for the whole album. Definitely some songs I will listen to again.
Perfection
Banger
5 - absolutely incredible, every track, I’ll find this sometime later in life when I really need it and it’ll get me down and up again. Last song gives me duck worth vibes and I’m sure there’s more to it
They rock! They are the kinks, enough said.
Fantastic. Love these guys. Great find
Weird and dull, never provoked any kind of emotion beyond boredom
Decent background music
Meh. Too jam-band-y for me.
not for me - 2
Atmospheric, empty but full, echoes. I like the sounds on this album, reminds of "The Division Bell" (positive connotations)
Depressed Bruce Springsteen.
Loved how long the songs were and had like this big musical bridges that sounded like improvisation.
Pretty good
Really enjoyed, all songs quite similar and relatively forgettable, but very chill yet upbeat and would slap on repeat in the background quite happily
added in the favs
Very very enjoyable vibesy music! Really enjoyed this one
Ok. Klinkt oprecht best prima Muzikaal leuk, zang is het standaard indierock. Maar jezus, waarom moet elk nummer zo achterlijk lang zijn? Zo goed is het allemaal niet? En ik vind het ook echt allemaal veel te standaard indierock stuff. Daarnaast klinkt elk nummer echt precies hetzelfde, een beetje variatie had fijn geweest! War on drugs? Ik sta aan de kant van de drugs eerlijk gezegd. FAVO: Suffering
1/5 would not listen again
Beautiful, atmospheric, sad.
Maybe it’s just that I’m in the mood for this, because I am also finding myself in a position where I am isolated, depressed, and just feeling weird about myself, but the long enveloping soundscapes of Lost In The Dream really appealed to me. The best way I can think to describe it is like an Americana version of Disintegration. And anybody who knows me knows how I feel about Disintegration
Such a great album with an ethereal sound but really great instrumentals. Great coming back to this.
A little disappointed not gonna lie. Saw the genres indie and rock and got… not what I was expecting. Very soundscape-y, using lots of non instruments. Didn’t care for the vocals too much. 2.5
This is like spacey, somewhere between cocaine high and weed low. If you know who Arcade Fire is and like them, I think you’d like this. I found myself searching for a little more from them as I continued to listen. The album could be a soundtrack for mostly anything in life. Long road trip? Pool Party? Showering? Sex? Cleaning the house? Yep, this will do it. I have no choice cut due to each song just carrying off of the one before it.
Great album loved this band
Very fun album. Unique modern sound. 3.6 stars
Such a great album!
Pure genius!!
Really enjoyed this selection. Surprised I had never heard of The War on Drugs.
6/10…indie / indie rock
3 it was ok. Reminded me of a spacey bob Dylan/dire straits. A little too samey throughout
fuck the eagles
More like the Snore on Drugs ha ha ok let’s hear the next one
Pretty slow and boring, quite monotone vocals
My favorite album of theirs. I love their sound.
Not at all clear to me what puts this in the Top 1000? It starts promisingly enough on Under the Pressure, and even Red Eyes is ok in a kind of “meh” way, but really, there is nothing ground breaking, genre busting, innovative, or even just that catchy to anything here. Although reading their Spotify bio (written by themselves), they seem to think they are pretty good. I tend to disagree.
And then man invented Flaccid Rock. It was at some point in the mid 2000’s, no one knows the exact trigger, where many youth and bands that once might have been described as alternative made a choice. They decided that rebellion and innovation weren’t for them and that the expression of youthful angst and frustrations once borne out in rock and roll or punk were best expressed through the medium of middle of the road 80s style pop and rock. Sadly, as of 2024, this has yet to find a cure. This lot seem to have decided that a crap Bob Dylan impression over some Bryan Adams/Springsteen style tunes with some contemporary sounds/production, and to add a bit of excitement they ‘get a bit louder, albeit playing the same thing, at the end of the song’ is the way to go. It definitely isn’t. Christ this album was about as dull as it comes.
It's indie and atmospheric and melancholic so I should like it, but it didn't grab me at all. Perhaps it's because the album started off well then all the songs sounded the same - no memorable melodies, the basics of songs e.g the drumming was the same, so it became just a dull, boring and too long album after around fifteen minutes.
Understated atmospheric and melancholy with exactly the right vocal effects perfect for the voice. A masterpeice.
This record is a slow-burn, filled with sweeping guitar work and lush synths. It has a driving, atmospheric feel, like Springsteen meets My Bloody Valentine, but way more introspective. There’s a sense of longing in the lyrics, and the songs drift by in a dreamlike haze. The production is rich, but nothing feels rushed. It’s patient, letting the sound breathe and grow.
This is pleasant. It sounds so much like a Bruce Springsteen album and it's easy to get along with. Never heard of this group before this project, but I'm happy this one came across and I had a chance to experience it.
I remember when this album came out and cannot believe it’s been 10 years! This album is awesome and very a very different feel. 5/5
It's ok... typical Indie with a couple of good moments. If I were to listen to it a few more times it might grow on me more. On one listen, it's ok.
I had no expectations or idea what this would sound like. I definitely wasn't expecting modern rock that was clearly inspired by Dylan and Tom Petty. This was a really enjoyable album. From start to finish they did a solid job of making the music interesting and easy to listen to. There were a couple songs that probably could have been cut but not enough to not make this a good album. I will definitely be coming back to this as well as diving deeper into this band. These are the kinds of albums I love coming across since I never would have found this on my own.
Couldn't listen the whole album, but the songs I know are fantastic.
Good alternative band, with good music. Voice reminds me of Tom Petty.
I've never been able to get into this band like I did Kurt Vile, who deserves an album on this list much more than they do. No wonder he left the band to do his own thing. Superficially it sounds similar, but I'm quite bored by this as it ends up all sounding like one long song if you're not paying close enough attention. It doesn't help that they average 6 minutes per song. I hear nothing interesting in this that makes me want to go back and listen again. It's not that it's terrible, it's just not quite anything?
Very good rock and roll album. Hard to define to be honest, but it was good! Had a bit of a deep dive, and there’s some excellent stuff by them!
Man did this put me in a mood. Very atmospheric, it has a weird 80's tone to it in places, "An Ocean Between The Waves" has a very Don Henley, Boys of Summer vibe to it, just dark. Interesting album for sure, the song runtimes are on the long side for me, but it kept my interest.
Dreamy pop rock. This isn’t an original thought but this album reminds me of Dire Straits. Love Under the Pressure! What an album opener
Not my type of music but was pretty good 7.3/10
There are times I really like this album and then there are times I think it sounds really off. I do like them as a live band and prefer the live drugs album vs. the studio stuff.
Longer tracks that leave room to breathe and explore the atmospheric soundscape. Album hit me on the perfect day, although I feel I would have enjoyed anyhow. Gives me Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen vibes.
Element of lots of bands influence on this. Couldn't quite get into it but was good to hear
Such a vibe tho
Surprisingly good
Boring. Production too wishy washy
Didn't grab me
mid album nice soundtrack 👍👍
Very chill I like the instrumental in disappearing
I've always loved this one. Seminal for me when it came out. You can really lose yourself in the rich textures of the songs that all build to a frenzied crescendo. A little too long for a 5, I think there's some filler, but the bones of the album are perfect.
wunderbarer gitarren-rock-pop mit melancholischem touch.
Cooler Sound mit starker Stimme
3.4
I don’t like the fucking Eagles.
Hey, who gave Bruce Springsteen all the heroin?
I'm sorry, but this album completely bored me out of mind. Also half the songs are way too long for my tastes (at least with their outros). I'm sure it's good if you like ambient-80s-style rock music.
Oh LORD it's so boring, why are the songs so long, why are the drums the same. It's like melancholic music for the depressing scene in a netflix soap for teenagers, real head in hands because I didn't get invited to the prom vibes. The saving grace was the change in tone in the middle of most of the songs, but was this genuinely pleasing or freeing from the endless prison the songs had become.
some of it is like listening to a secret Arcade Fire album in an unproblematic way, some of it is like Bob Dylan But Worse.
This was pretty good, though I didn’t really like the singer's voice and the tracks were all similar to one another. It’s somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I like this kind of melancholy, atmospheric style, and I wouldn’t mind listening again. Favorite track: Red Eyes
I don’t believe you need a hook to make good songs, but this album certainly may make you crave one… these reverb pieces go in circles and leave me felling like I have listened to nothing.
There's being inspired by The Boss and then there's trying to be The Boss. Big difference not recognised here.
War on a Drugs sounds like of Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen collaborated with the Flaming Lips or something. Cool ethereal sound, but very personal lyrics. Good stuff
I think this is an album that takes longer than a day to truly appreciate, but man oh man does it have promise. Some of the musical riffs were spectacular on the first listen through, then I caught a couple more awesome ones on the second listen. Who knows what I'll find on the 10th listen?
Boring but also real good? I feel like this is the kind of music I would make if I had the ability/time/motivation/ideas/self-belief
I enjoyed this having only really listened to a few of their singles but I now realise TWOD mostly don't do 3 minute singalongs. I love songs that start quieter and build and this is full of them, it's quite shoegazey when a song like "An Ocean Between The Waves" descends into a wall of sound. This definitely one for a quiet moment and turning the headphones up loud. Shades of Neil Young with the occasional harmonicas and noodly outros, and vocals remind of Bruce Springsteen. Big ticks for my taste The only reason I wouldn't give 5* is that it goes on a bit but I was in the kind of mood for that when I listened, so 5 it is!
I really liked this
Yep, this is certainly indie rock from the mid 2010s. There are some nice bits in the more upbeat songs, but the whole package is repetitive and overlong.
Red Eyes
#329. I don't know if this was intentionally made to sound like if Tom Petty made new wave, but that's what I'm getting from it. I know I should hate this, but for some reason I don't. 4/5: weird Song added to playlist: An Ocean In Between The Waves I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
I like it it's gotta a certain vibe but it's a bit repetitive.
Good album, felt a bit harsh giving 3 stars so went to 4 but that’s a bit generous. Will listen again as think this could be a ‘grower’
Chill, but a bit boppy. Feel like I know their music even though I don't, so familiar.
Solid indie rock. Under The Pressure, Red Eyes, and An Ocean In Between The Waves.
It’s a 4 I got this baby on vinle but it’s a first listen. I like it it will grow on me
No. 245/1001 Under The Pressure 4/5 Red Eyes 4/5 Suffering 3/5 An Ocean In Between The Waves 4/5 Disappearing 3/5 Eyes To The Wind 3/5 The Haunting Idle 3/5 Burning 4/5 Lost in the Dream 3/5 In Reverse 3/5 Average: 3,4 Sounds like the musicle child of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
I've always found this band to be very MOR. It's like they were specifically designed for boomers who are in the "why dont they make REAL music anymore" camp. Being influenced by Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Tom Petty, etc is fine and all, but I'd question whether this is original enough to be included in this book. "Burning", for ex, is way too reminiscent of Dancing in the Dark. The first two songs are quite good though, and the production is great. Just unoriginal and very repetitive.
Honestly neat album. Probably should give it a relisten
Great vocals and the album that I have on Vinyl. Always good to listen
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background I'm being harsher on this album than it really deserves, but if you're going to give me long songs, at least change up the drum beat every once in a while. I just couldn't escape it. There may have been interesting lyrics, occasional dynamics and guitar weaving in and out... but the incessant drum pattern. Can I buy a drum fill for $200? I also don't hear anything new or interesting here that would make it essential. Album sounds well produced, I just wouldn't put it on this particular list.
I listened to this, and my first thought was that this is just some old '80s MOR Don Henley bullshit. Looked at the reviews and found I was not alone. It's not bad, it's just not interesting, and there certainly doesn't need to be an hour of it - every track could be 25% shorter and nothing would be lost, and then this would clock in at a far more reasonable 45 minutes.
Under Pressure Red Eyes An Ocean in Between the Waves Eyes to the Wind
You know how sometimes something comes up and you think why have I never listened to them more? And then you listen and there is the answer. Kept thinking this sounds like Springsteen, who I’m not a great fan of, but without the occasional banger. And it’s a bit like Arcade Fire but without the appeal. This just trundled by unengagingly
++: Under the Pressure, Red Eyes, The Haunting Idle +: An Ocean in Between the Waves, Disappearing, Eyes to the Wind, Burning, In Reverse +-: Suffering, Lost In the Dream 7,7/10
Lost in the Dream I’m very aware of The War on Drugs, but I’m not sure if I’ve actually heard any of their songs, although they are the sort of band they play on 6 Music. I was expecting something similar to The National, perhaps a bit plodding and indie-serious, but I found it more rewarding than that National album we had. While it does share some of the same earnestness, it’s more interesting, musically, melodically and atmospherically. While the subject matter isn’t the happiest, there are a lot of upbeat melodies and a relatively joyous vocal delivery. There’s no doubt many of the songs share a similarity to each other, rhythmically many of them are almost identical, just at different tempos, but on repeat listens I started to notice some nice details in the instruments, and some great little pop hooks, like the piano figure and slide on Under the Pressure. Red Eyes really sounds like something, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Again Suffering sounds very familiar, but is a very pleasant tune. An Ocean in Between the Waves in the second half sounds quite like The Chain to me, but again, is a lovely nice song. I really like the 80s percussion and bass sounds on Disappearing, again a nice track. Eyes to the Wind, another very nice track, sounds quite Jackson Browne to me. Big Springsteen vibes on Burning, particularly the yelps, which are very reminiscent of State Trooper Although all 10 songs are worthy of inclusion, some judicious editing of their lengths would probably be welcome. Although I get the atmospheres and drone like grooves they are building, there are a lot of extended echoey and reverby outros (I don’t think Under the Pressure needs to be 8 minutes for example) so the whole record feels a little long at an hour. Lost in the Dream is also another very tasteful and nicely done track, the harmonica back in the mix is really lovely. And In Reverse is another very nice song, with a well crafted atmosphere and some very nice little musical moments and hooks. Looking back, it seems as though every track reminds me of someone else, but I don’t think that's a negative, sometimes it just works to borrow some good bits from some great artists and mix them all up. I liked this. I don’t think it’s quite in the Wilco or My Morning Jacket bracket for atmospheric songscapes and textures or variety and inventiveness, with many of the songs on here tending towards being nice, tasteful and pleasantly catchy, rather than emotionally or musically dramatic and affecting. But that niceness has its place, and in this case it’s very well done, with more than enough musical subtlety, nuance and skill to stop it being anywhere near bland, and I’d definitely listen again, perhaps when autumn comes. It’s on the cusp of 3 and 4, but I’ll go 4 as it’s a very nice album. 💉💉💉💉 Playlist submissions: All would be fine, but I did like Burning and An Ocean Between the Waves in particular. I’ll go Burning.
Elk nummer voelt alsof ik vanaf een strand richting de ondergaande zon vlieg en i love it
Ooh, I like this. I've found a new band to listen to. I hear a definite Bob Dylan influence, especially on 'Eyes to the Wind'.
This album captured something really beautiful
Really loved this. What a great vibe. Mellow and somber in all the right ways but melodic and beautiful. A 5/5 for sure
Pleasant, mellow, liquid grooves...but didn't quite grab me ... 3
Didn't know them - few great songs on that album
Very nice band. Good songs performed very well.
A pleasant listen but nothing all that remarkable. I love Under The Pressure and Burning but most of this just blends together and a lot of the songs go on for a tad too long. An easy listen but one I don't think I will revisit a lot.
The least shocking record I have ever heard. I can respect the artistry and mature songcraft/sound design but it could not speak to me personally any less than it did.
Looks like this is the best this band has to offer, and it's not much. Derivative as can be, inde elevator music. Pales in comparison to their peers.
probably not good
I swear it's all the same guitar and the same rhythm.
.5. Pleasant general sound
I never listened to this, other than Red Eyes, when it was new. Sleepy at times, but overall pretty solid. Very clear Springsteen influence.
I liked the first half of this album more than the second half.