Slave Ambient Secretly Canadian****

The War On Drugs are led by Philadelphia's Adam Granduciel, a man who has found a real mojo for the big music on his second album. Whatever about the fine takes on American blue-collar rock that put the band's debut album, Wagonwheel Blues, on many turntables, Granduciel's sense for classic rock's weather-beaten shapes comes alive in a much more vibrant, nuanced and magnificent way on Slave Ambient. But don't simply mistake this for a Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan pastiche: Granduciel tips the hat to such influences when it comes to themes and lyrics, but there are interesting shadows and kinks to the music that turn literate, big-hearted tunes like Your Love Is Calling My Name, Baby Missilesand Come to the Cityinto irresistible grooves. An album that very much sounds like a coming of age. See thewarondrugs.net

Download tracks: Your Love Is Calling My Name, Baby Missiles, Come to the City