tangelO

The [other] War On Drugs

I feel it necessary to post my impressions of the War On Drugs Barrel of Batteries EP in anticipation for the soon-to-be released Wagonwheel Blues album. The new album will be available from Secretly Canadian on June 19. I am really looking forward to this release, and blame my obsession on the free download of the Barrel of Batteries EP. There is not a better business model in existence - once I get a taste of something I like, I am hooked. So far I haven’t seen any information about a pre-release, but I’ll keep you informed.

The Barrel of Batteries EP starts off with a quick and light ambient diddy called Set Yr Sights. It provides a quick bit of foreshadowing for the rest of the EP, but doesn’t really give out any clues to the second track, Arms Like Boulders, which initially caught me off-guard. I was expecting something a little more relaxing (ambient!), but the song reads more like a rocked-out bandstand Bob Dylan with the Byrds backing him up. The song builds on it’s own riffs in true ambient fashion, but plays down the electronic side of the band’s repertoire.

The EP continues in this feel for the remaining songs, giving a more electric feel to Pushing Corn and the more carefree Buenos Aires Beach. The little instrumental tracks are a nice interlude, and definitely makes me curious to hear what the upcoming album might sound like in its entirety.

You can check out an additional review at Berkeley Place here.

Secretly Canadian has made one track available for download off of the upcoming album, so I am also posting it here in the hopes you will also check it out. It is definitely a little heavier in the bottom-end than the EP, with better overall sound quality. Keep your eye out for this one!

And again, you can download the Barrel of Batteries EP in its entirety here.

War On Drugs - Taking The Farm

War On Drugs - Arms Like Boulders

Thanks, Secretly Canadian!

In your neck of the woods:
05/21/08 Cleveland, OH - The Grog Shop w/ Blood On The Wall
05/22/08 Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick w/ Blood On The Wall
05/23/08 Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle w/ Blood On The Wall
06/07/08 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
08/08/08 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
08/09/08 Venlo, Netherlands - Zomerparkfeest
08/15/08 Crockhowell, Wales - Green Man Festival