The War on Drugs- The Metro, Chicago, IL 3/23/14

It is a rare sight at a show when the headlining performer comes out, tunes all of his own guitars, and checks the band's equipment while stage hands help set up, but this is exactly what Adam Granduciel, lead guitarist and vocalist of The War on Drugs, did Sunday night before he and his band took the stage at the sold-out Metro in Chicago.  Granduciel is riding a wave of critical accolades over the past week since Lost in a Dream, the band's third LP came out. Simply put, Lost in a Dream is one of the best records I've heard, not just this year, but of the past decade (up there in terms of my personal enjoyment with Bon Iver Bon Iver, and Sufjan Stevens Come on Feel the Illinoise).  With the band about a week into their tour, I was curious to see how this album would translate live, and made the journey south on the toll road, literally to the land of the Cubs (we parked across from Wrigley Field) to see this performance.

Despite Granduciel's laid back appearance, donning a Jeff Tweedyesque blue denim jacket, t-shirt, and jeans on stage, he was quite the meticulous musician who frequently checked guitar tuning even after prepping the guitars himself before the show started to ensure optimal sound.  The fans at the show were equally seemingly laid-back while and simultaneously intense, focused on their concert experience.  There were no "we're here to rock" selfies being taken, and from my vantage point on the floor, very few fans left their spots to use the bathroom, let along get refreshments, during the band's two-hour set.  Everyone was glued on the stage and the performance, and for very good reason.

Backed with a bass player, keyboardist, drummer, horn player, and synthesizer/multi-instrumentalist, The War on Drugs came out sounding like a well-oiled machine.  The band started the night with the concluding track off of Lost in a Dream, "In Reverse," a reflective number that is often reserved for the set-closer.  In somewhat of a surprise move, they then launched into the opening song off of Lost in a Dream, "Under the Pressure."  The songs juxtaposed each other nicely.  Next came the mid-tempo "I Was There" off of 2011's acclaimed Slave Ambient record. From there, Granduciel and the boys segued this tune into the uplifting alt-country rocker, "Eyes to the Wind," which was introduced with Graduciel promising the capacity crowd that "spring will come to Chicago."  This is one of my favorite tracks off of Lost in a Dream and was played very solidly with great interplay between the musicians especially during the jam portion.  Other stand out tracks in the set included, the rocking "Burning," which in tempo and composition reminds me of an updated version of Bruce Springteen's classic "Born to Run" aimed at the millenial generation.

The War on Drugs- "Burning"

"Little Missiles," another stand-out song from Slave Ambient, was also great and featured a bluesy harmonica jam from Granduiciel which in some ways echoed the more classic 1960's era Bob Dylan material.  Perhaps the overall show highlight was the title track, "Lost in a Dream." This number came across simultaneously gut-wrenching and hopeful, making it more powerful live than even on the album.  The song resonates with me personally as a track about anxiety, uncertainty, and the fact that love ultimately will triumph over all.  I'll admit to getting goosebumps upon hearing this song live, just as I did the first time on the record.

Instead of taking a break for an encore, Granduciel told the crowd they would keep playing until they were told they had to be done.  The result was an energetic robust show, which the singer told the crowd was the best of the tour, citing Chicago as his favorite place to play.  This show was about as emotionally intense as any I've seen in quite some time, with respectful fans hanging on every  The War on Drugs is an act that is not to be missed on this tour, and a band who sonically I feel is just getting going with perfecting their craft.  

The War on Drugs- "Come to the City"

Setlist (compiled by Will Piper, Dave McMillan and Kevin Gonring)

In Reverse
Under the Pressure
I Was There
Eyes to the Wind
Suffering
Red Eyes
Burning
City Reprise #12
Baby Missiles
Lost in a Dream
-slight break... band decided to forgo traditional encore and just play as many tunes as they could in their time
Mind Games (John Lennon cover)
An Ocean Between the Waves
Disappearing
The Animator
Come to the City
Brothers (slow-tempo version)
Black Water Falls

Album Review: The War on Drugs- Lost in a Dream

Adam Granduciel, the singer-songwriter behind the Philadelphia-based quintet, "The War on Drugs," delivers a remarkably reflective and distinguished album in the band's third full-length release, Lost in a Dream.  From the opening track, "Under the Pressure," to the album's finale, "In Reverse," Granduciel and his band mates create a sonic landscape that blends modern production with stripped-down, genuine, soulful Americana arrangements.   Pairing these arrangements with Granduciel's reflective lyrics and stellar guitar play creates an extraordinary record that, in its own way, embodies a microcosm of modern America in 2014, blending together electronic soundsc with roots rock to create something fresh. Simply summed up, Lost in a Dream serves as a reminder to us all that despite all of the modern inventions and innovations, (hash tags, selfies, text-speak, tweets, etc.) we are essentially human beings longing for acceptance, belonging  and a sense of purpose.

From "Under the pressure, like the arrival of a new day" to "like a light that's drifting, in reverse I'm moving," Granduciel book ends his opus with a sense of reflection and contemplation.    Along the way, tunes such as the uptempo "Red Eyes," the sweeping "An Ocean Between Waves" the hopeful "Eyes to the Wind" and the arena rocking "Burning" draw you in to appreciate the journey.  As many other critics have commented on, Granduciel's effort echoes influences from exceptional singer-songwriters who achieved their peak success in past eras-- most notably, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, and even to an extent Jeff Tweedy.

Lost in a Dream is an album that is enjoyable both as a whole piece as well as in its respective parts.  Each of the tunes stand alone as songs, but put together create a more conceptual composition.  To quote a fellow musician and fan, Kevin Gonring, "Granduciel's meticulousness in his keyboard and synthscape, as well as what he's running his guitars through creates an overall aura on the record."  This aura keeps the themes consistent throughout the album.  Lost in a Dream in many ways is an album full of slight sonic nuances which keep you coming back for more after each listen.  

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