A Deeper Understanding
by The War on Drugs
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Aug 25, 2017
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 158 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 144 out of 158
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 158
  3. Negative: 9 out of 158
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. DavidWasHere
    Aug 26, 2017
    9
    After falling in love with the outfit's last record, Lost in the Dream, I was excited for this album. And boy do they deliver. Continuing to build on the winning mix of krautrock, Americana, psychedelia, and 80s heartland rock styling of synthrock, A Deeper Understanding is another phenomenal rock album that, nowhere close to Lost in the Dream, builds and continues to take what made theAfter falling in love with the outfit's last record, Lost in the Dream, I was excited for this album. And boy do they deliver. Continuing to build on the winning mix of krautrock, Americana, psychedelia, and 80s heartland rock styling of synthrock, A Deeper Understanding is another phenomenal rock album that, nowhere close to Lost in the Dream, builds and continues to take what made the last album great with long songs that are worth the run time with stellar guitar work and interesting textures and composition.… Expand
  2. thelittlecoon
    Aug 26, 2017
    8
    Really spacey album by the War on Drugs. If you like Lost in the Dream, this is much more of the same and you'll probably enjoy it. That being said it is a slower burn and some songs can get pretty loud and hectic with the guitar at points, more so than any of their previous albums. Still a great listen and definitely one of the top albums of the summer.
  3. jethibea
    Oct 16, 2017
    10
    One of the best albums of the year, for me the pulse of this one just demands for many repeated listens, each more satisfying than the next. Feels more intimate than "Lost in the Dream" but with all of that record's charms. "Pain" may be my favorite TWOD song.
  4. Lisn
    Mar 17, 2018
    10
    Adam Granduciel’s obsession with studio perfection brings such fulfillment to the arrangements of A Deeper Understanding that even though some passages in songs like Strangest Thing might seem chaotic, the absolute harmony is astounding and brings me so much joy.
  5. Daybroken
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    Just perfect. .
  6. Ricko
    Mar 22, 2020
    8
    2014 was by no means a vintage year for albums but at the same time there were a few notable releases. The War on Drugs released one of these in "Lost in the Dream". An irresistable beast mixing Dylan influences with a type of slow highway rock. 2017 saw them follow that album up in some similar style with "A Deeper Understanding". Like its predecessor, it sounds both modern and from a2014 was by no means a vintage year for albums but at the same time there were a few notable releases. The War on Drugs released one of these in "Lost in the Dream". An irresistable beast mixing Dylan influences with a type of slow highway rock. 2017 saw them follow that album up in some similar style with "A Deeper Understanding". Like its predecessor, it sounds both modern and from a time long gone. You could describe it as 21st century heartland rock, a genre that arguably peaked in the 80s and there is a definite 80's feel to this in part but I say this as a compliment. An album like "A Deeper Understanding" is relatively rare these days. You don't get too many 10 track records clocking in over the hour. It takes a committed listener to immerse themselves in a collection of songs averaging over 6 minutes but committment brings its own rewards and this is true on this album. It takes a while to truly enjoy but well worth the time investment. Listen to it through the best speakers/headphones you have as it is one of those records where sound quality really makes a big difference. Highlights for me are "Up All Night", "Strangest Thing" and "Nothing to Find" but this is an album equally more than the sum of its parts.… Expand
  7. brand_stafford
    Sep 5, 2017
    9
    I'd been trying to find some real music for the last couple of months until I heard this. It's what I've been looking for - engrossing melodies, driving rhythms and a sense that it lives both in today and the past. Like the best music it carries me away to new places and opens my imagination to the possibility of sound.
  8. Music_Observer
    Sep 12, 2017
    8
    The combination of fearlessness to sound simple and inventiveness in musical structure was incredibly rewarding, with the many bold melodic formations, creative stretched harmonic loops, and thoughtful, gorgeous builds in sound delivering some timeless music and one of the year’s best albums. My Score: 147/180 (Great) = 8.2/10
  9. krazyyeti555
    Feb 21, 2018
    8
    With 2014's Lost in the Dream, The War on Drugs catapulted to indie-rock stardom, and A Deeper Understanding became a highly anticipated follow up. The band does little to expand off of the well-received formula of Lost in the Dream, but does not come across as derivative of that album and retains its own identity. It will be interesting to see where The War on Drugs goes from here, asWith 2014's Lost in the Dream, The War on Drugs catapulted to indie-rock stardom, and A Deeper Understanding became a highly anticipated follow up. The band does little to expand off of the well-received formula of Lost in the Dream, but does not come across as derivative of that album and retains its own identity. It will be interesting to see where The War on Drugs goes from here, as there likely isn't much more to explore with this current sound. The album, like its predecessor, is a very cohesive and pensive listen, and also like its predecessor, matches the musical atmosphere that its title promises.

    Recommended tracks: "Pain", "Holding On", "Strangest Thing", "Thinking of a Place", "In Chains"    … Expand
  10. StevenX
    Jul 22, 2023
    7
    For the most part, consistency is a good thing (unless you consistenly suck, of course). Musically it can be limiting: if the latest songs sound like they came from the last album's sessions the audience can get bored and confused by lack of growth (unless you're a Motley or Springsteen, in which case either tuneless gas-passing or hiding deep lyrics in bubbly Snoopy-dance music won't beFor the most part, consistency is a good thing (unless you consistenly suck, of course). Musically it can be limiting: if the latest songs sound like they came from the last album's sessions the audience can get bored and confused by lack of growth (unless you're a Motley or Springsteen, in which case either tuneless gas-passing or hiding deep lyrics in bubbly Snoopy-dance music won't be noticed by your salivating sychophants). Adam Granduciel, thankfully, has upped the ante a bit this time out with richer, fuller production and an upped chords-per-minute quotient to balance his continued descent into romantic pessimism. The tracks are still a little too samey to work as well repeatedly at home as well as they do on the highway with the top down, though, and who can afford a convertible these days? One point lost for the new tendency toward wordless singalong sections, not Steve Perry's na-na-na-na-na bullpucky but more of an MOR moan-along-with-Mitch that might be fun at the show but harsh your buzz in headphones.… Expand
  11. apnick
    Nov 5, 2017
    9
    The guitar solos are awesome, especially the back-to-back feedback-laden screamers on Strangest Thing. The recognizable chugging rhythms are there, just little more subdued and personal compared to Lost In The Dream. Overall, it's a great War on Drugs album.
  12. NikiX
    Sep 5, 2017
    10
    I have never been listening TWOD before and came across this album by pure accident. After the first playthrough, ordered tickets for their show in Berlin. That says it all, great great great album!
  13. Nickel56
    Sep 18, 2017
    9
    This is a beautiful and amazing artistic effort. Somehow, its intricate construction, consistent perspective, and gifted musicianship take it beyond genre to a space of truth. I hear so many references and influences, and yet twod take those elements and more to create a sound simultaneously new and familiar. it's mature rock not pop candy and the instruments just rock steady. I'm notThis is a beautiful and amazing artistic effort. Somehow, its intricate construction, consistent perspective, and gifted musicianship take it beyond genre to a space of truth. I hear so many references and influences, and yet twod take those elements and more to create a sound simultaneously new and familiar. it's mature rock not pop candy and the instruments just rock steady. I'm not accustomed to writing a review of anything, and so if I'm falling into old tropes or whatever it may be due to that, but to me, comparisons to earlier albums, or bands that sometimes sound similar, are not useful. 'A Deeper Understanding' is somehow genre-defying and brilliant at the same time. For me the shine lies in its honesty, beauty, and craft. It does what the only the best rock can do -- power a party, give hope, open up emotional space, and simply, matter. It's as good as anything I've heard in a long long time. Let twod take you someplace special.… Expand
  14. zapV
    Jan 31, 2018
    8
    Great album by one of the brightest modern day continuers of classic rock tradition.
  15. Acid3P
    Feb 18, 2022
    8
    Even meticulous production can still move forward. Apart from the great melodics and song construction, I also enjoy those at first hearing unimportant sounds in the background. It's a sheer joy when someone does their job down to the smallest detail. And it's an even greater joy when musicians dare to build their ideas over longer periods of time. When was the last time you heard a catchyEven meticulous production can still move forward. Apart from the great melodics and song construction, I also enjoy those at first hearing unimportant sounds in the background. It's a sheer joy when someone does their job down to the smallest detail. And it's an even greater joy when musicians dare to build their ideas over longer periods of time. When was the last time you heard a catchy 11-minute song like Thinking of the Place?… Expand

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2017
39
#39 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 5, 2017
    70
    Opener Up All Night moves through the formulaic pop gears as smoothly as Don Henley cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway, while Holding On is a slickly realised mid-tempo foot tapper. However, shorn of the novelty factor, such middle-of-the-road material remains better suited to balmy summer nights and drivetime radio than to repeated home listening.
    Read full review
  2. No Ripcord
    Sep 25, 2017
    60
    His lack of nuance from a lyrical standpoint is startling, to the point where it confuses one into thinking that it’s profound since everything else is so carefully considered. It comes from a genuine place, sure, but his overly labored Reagan-era balladry rekindles a musical period that still sounds entirely dated.
    Read full review
  3. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Sep 8, 2017
    70
    Long and loses steam at times, but it delivers.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »