The War on Drugs - I Don’t Live Here Anymore

Rock – Released October 29, 2021 – 10 songs, 52 mins

REID

My Dad was not a big music guy. He was a casual, classic rock, radio listener and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. My earliest memories driving to and from every hockey arena on the Avalon peninsula in Newfoundland would be best captured with the two of us singing Hotel California or New Kid in Town by The Eagles. Those were the days. Recommending music to him was a rarity. It just wasn’t us. But I made an exception with this week’s band. 

Fresh off their 2018 Grammy award winning album, A Deeper Understanding, The War on Drugs returns with a new ten song compilation, I Don’t Live Here Anymore. The six man band from Philly waste no time getting back to their strengths with Living Proof. Incredible song. The acoustic guitar, keyboards and Granduciel’s vocals offer a slow build to a beautiful pay off and guitar solo. It may be my new favourite by them. They roll right along with great song after great song. Harmonia’s Dream, Change, I Don’t Live Here Anymore and Wasted are standouts. A song or two may drag on a little longer than I’d like but there are minimal low points otherwise. Occasional Rain is also a great close out. I Don’t Live Here Anymore will likely be nominated for major music awards and end up on many 2021 year end lists.

I’ve always thought of The War on Drugs as a modern twist on classic rock. Their music is very well composed and calculated. Adam Granduciel’s lyrics tell stories, in a voice that reminds me of Don Henley and those drives to the rink. 

Favourite Song - 8.8/10

Overall Rating - Living Proof

LUNDI

The War on Drugs, rock legends in the making (and yes that’s a statement not a question) are back with their fifth studio album I Don’t Live Here Anymore to build on their discography of crisp, technically mastered songs you just want to get lost in. 

Lead Singer/Songwriter/Producer Adam Granduciel has perfected his craft. Each subtle guitar riff, synth line, or piano melody is placed so strategically that it powers the record, it rewards every listen. The War on Drugs are in a league of their own thanks to Granduciel’s musical genius-like ability. 

I Don’t Live Here Anymore refines everything the band has done to date and while it doesn’t do much to stray from its predecessors, that in itself is actually a feat given the current music landscape. TWOD continue to zig while everyone else zags. How many successful albums could you truly take from the 2000’s and drop into the 80’s without missing a beat? Something about that is just so impressive as it’s damn near impossible to find another pure rock band making music today that isn’t propped up by 80-90’s success that has the streaming power and arena headlining ability of TWOD. It’s a perfection of tiny elements collected together to build grand rock ballads that almost never miss the mark. 

On the surface, Anymore appears to follow the TWOD standard with a lyrical focus on the grand romantic life of Granduciel however when the overwhelming synths and guitars take a backseat to Adam’s vulnerability there are faint signs to not only his personal relationships but also his love for music, his band, and where they all come together. In particular the titular track hits all these notes and has the ability to make you forget about real life for a few minutes. 

Layers and layers of instruments with perfectly timed execution of each. The songs on Anymore build with each verse showing off what effort and thought went into the album. It would be a long list of excellence to point out every enjoyable moment, but it’s better experienced for yourself. 

The War on Drugs are the best commercial/mainstream rock band making music today and frankly it’s not close. I Don’t Live Here Anymore further cements that fact. Find a highway, pop this album on and go for a long drive. You won’t regret the decision. 

Overall Rating: 8.6/10

Favourite Song: I Don’t Live Here Anymore

ROZ

Despite Lundi’s best efforts, The War on Drugs has been a band that I have always meant to get around to listening to and never have. The release of I Don’t Live Here Anymore has made it impossible for me to procrastinate any longer – it's finally time to give these guys the shot that they deserve.

I Don’t Live Here Anymore perfectly treads the line between having an old age classic rock feel and being new age rock at the exact same time. It has moments that seem handpicked out of a decade long past (Change, I Don’t Wanna Wait) while at the same time creating new ones in tracks such as Living Proof (the guitar coming in at the four-minute mark transported me to a different plane of existence), Harmonia’s Dream, and Rings Around My Fathers Eyes (some of the most beautiful lyrics I’ve ever heard on a record). There were definitely some weaker moments (both Victim and Old Skin could have been left on the chopping block, leaving a tighter 41-minute album in their wake), however the album quickly tucks away its weaker tracks by placing stronger ones on either side and around them; a feat that can only be attributed to the fantastic arrangement skills displayed by the production team – something that can’t go without distinct appreciation.

This album has definitely grabbed my attention and considering the bands last outing won a Grammy, it looks as though I have some crate digging to do. Even if this style of rock music isn’t your particular taste, the songwriting alone on I Don’t Live Here Anymore warrants giving the album a full listen. I really can’t see you ending up disappointed… but if you are, then at least you’ll know where to send the hate mail.

Overall Rating: 8.2/10

Favourite Song: Living Proof