Posted: Wednesday 20th August 2008

Reviewed by Andrew Jones

The arrival of Philadelphia's The War On Drugs has caused some real excitement in alternative rock circles of late, due in no small part to their acutely successful marriage of the experimental electronics so beloved of the current US underground with a particularly convincing take on classic American rock n' roll songwriting. Whilst this union of the experimental with the established is nothing new, The War On Drugs' sound is successful because this versatility goes deeper than mere pastiche, instead showing a real creative engagement with the music that inspires them.

At times sounding like electrified Dylan taken to a logical psychedelic conclusion, they are a clear example of musicians wearing their influences unashamedly on their sleeves. They hijack retro rock n' roll conservatism for their own ends though, which means that the resultant music is all awash with tape drones, delay loops and shimmering reverb, unified by a vital chemistry that sees these diverse elements working together, ultimately making The War On Drugs a pretty enticing new footnote in post-Sonic Youth Alt-rock.

This evening's performance gives fans a chance to see exactly how this distinctive sound is achieved and whilst the band sound-check there is a wide variety of interesting noise emanating from the assemblage of beat-up Casio keyboards, heavily electrified acoustic guitars, samplers and drum machines.

Once the four piece are happy with their eclectic set-up, an introductory tape-loop of swirling ambience is triggered and the band charge headlong into the life-affirming Springsteen-isms of their first single Needle In Your Eye. The Dublin Castle is instantly submerged in their distinctive sound (as heard on their recent debut album Wagonwheel Blues) with frontman Adam Granduciel's effects-drenched Bob Dylan holler providing a focal point that reaches out from within the depths of psychedelic fuzz and sepia-toned drones which their songs inhabit. At the conclusion of this opening number guitarist Kurt implores the soundman to increase the delay through his microphone, pointing at Adam's mic-stand and adding ‘I'm jealous!!'

This childlike glee with which the band approaches these wayward musical tendencies is perhaps one of the most endearing aspects of their music. Not for them the navel gazing sonic negativity of the self-consciously experimental noisemakers that make up much of the modern US underground scene, instead the music this evening is thankfully as uplifting as it is sonically dense and possesses a singalong, toe-tapping musicality that may well see them reach the kind of audience that escapes many of their musical peers.

Other highlights tonight include the even more Bruce-Springsteeny Taking the Farm, (also high point of Wagonwheel Blues) and Arms Like Boulders in which the antiquated sampling keyboard at the centre of the stage emits a disembodied sound of distorted harmonica.

Tonight's gig at The Dublin Castle is an exciting introduction to a band set to grace many more stages around the UK and with an upcoming support slot for the Hold Steady in October likely to give them further exposure still, The War On Drugs surely possess both the musical credibility and accessibility that will ensure an exciting future.