Aaron Frank has read more Daniel Pinchbeck than you.
First off, I have absolutely no idea how the War on Drugs show this Saturday night isn’t already sold out. This is how you treat people, Los Angeles? War on Drugs release one of the best albums of the year, team up with rising star Carter Tanton and hard rock heathens, Purling Hiss, and they can’t sell 250 tickets on a Saturday night?
Fine, fine. Maybe the hard-sell isn’t the most effective technique. But for two slow drip coffees from Intelligentsia, you’d be a fool to miss this show (ed. note. to be fair, you would certainly not be a fool if you instead saw Anika, PB Wolf, and Blank Blue).
The War On Drugs are touring in support of their acclaimed second full-length, Slave Ambient. Released in August, Ambient expands on their folk-rooted classic rock aesthetic already established on 2008’s Wagonwheel Blues, with moody effects layered over upbeat guitar melodies. Part traditional and experimental, Ambient is one of the most singular but familiarly engaging rock records in recent memory.
Carter Tanton, who doubles as a member of Lower Dens, has also garnered recent notice from the excellent two leaked tracks from his forthcoming, Freeclouds. Tanton’s rollicking singer-songwriter style blends nicely against the backdrop of the darker lyrics and arrangements; yet he still easily connects with listeners via his hooky choruses. Freeclouds drops November 15th. If it’s anywhere near as good as the recent LPs from Lower Dens and The War On Drugs, you should sacrifice ordering a few of those overpriced drip coffees.
Download:
MP3: The War on Drugs-“Come to the City”
MP3: The War on Drugs-“Baby Missiles”
MP3: The War on Drugs-“The History of Plastic”
MP3: The War on Drugs-“Comin’ Through”
MP3: The War on Drugs-“Takin’ the Farm”
