Slightly unhinged review of the past twenty years.
The War On Drugs was formed back in 2005 by Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile. Vile left a few years later after the release of their first album to concentrate on his solo career. Since then with several albums, numerous live performances, and personnel changes have resulted in a huge worldwide following.
‘Live Drugs Again’ is the second ‘live’ album they have released. This however is a compilation of twenty years work which has been cleverly and sympathetically edited together. Sometimes on live albums, too much time is wasted on introductions and applause, but it has been cut to a minimum without diminishing the live appeal. At nearly an hour and a quarter in length and with some tracks well over ten minutes it’s very easy to feel the atmosphere they generate. Full appreciation and time are given to the quality of the musicians with a fair share of pretty epic instrumentals.
Many of the tracks including ‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’ Are extremely anthemic and sound perfect for the big venues while others such as ‘Living Proof’ feel far more intimate. Granduciel is renowned very much as a wordsmith and with songs such as ‘Old Skin’ comparisons with early Bruce Springsteen are very easy to make. The phrasing and tone of voice in ‘In Chains’ are very reminiscent of Tom Petty. High praise indeed but easily justified. Granduciel comments that “Live Drugs Again chronicles the evolution of songs from the studio to stages all over the world, documenting our continued growth as a live band. This series these versions and some of our favourite moments on stage will live on.”
With so much material to choose from there is certainly something for everyone to enjoy, especially those who have been with the band from the beginning. As with the band’s back catalogue, this definitely an album worth checking out.
