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Slave Ambient
by
Slave Ambient Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: The Philadelphia-based group releases a second album of Americana roots-rock.
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Top Track

Best Night
I've been wandering by your room and nothing's coming out like a spirit through the wind I keep flying in a dream you point a [knife] in another... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Uncut
    Aug 18, 2011
    100
    Something's happening wherever you turn on tracks that are dense with detail and brilliant accumulations of incident, but never overwrought or too busy, sheer grace their common link. [Sep 2011, p.80]
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  2. Blurt Magazine
    Aug 16, 2011
    90
    Once again, The War on Drugs have crafted an album of the year, built not upon flash or novelty, but a new take on traditional rock and roll that is always pushing forward.
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Aug 19, 2011
    85
    Hopefully Slave Ambient will do for The War On Drugs what Smoke Ring For My Halo did for Kurt Vile and place Adam Granduciel as one of the musicians with serious talent and songwriting acumen in modern indie rock.
  4. Clash Music
    Aug 15, 2011
    80
    It's classic Americana rock at its best, combining musical echoes of Springsteen and Dylan but crafted with a poet's eye for detail. Dreamy, infectious, and full of hope. A powerful antidote to all those who say the best days of American classic rock are well over.
  5. Filter
    Aug 22, 2011
    76
    Similar to its other releases, the band masters even the several lyric-less shorter tracks serving as musical intermissions scattered sporadically throughout.
  6. Dusted Magazine
    Aug 17, 2011
    70
    More often than not, Slave Ambient offers a sound that's equally familiar and new, simultaneously meeting expectations and evading them. It's an album whose immediate accessibility cloaks a deeper, subtler series of rewards.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Aug 15, 2011
    60
    With a little more time to perfect their style, the War on Drugs would be well-positioned to win converts for both camps, and also their own.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. pandachrist
    Sep 1, 2011
    10
    A lot of great bands have put out records this year. This album is hands down, my favorite! If you are a fan of Kurt Vile, I can't see you notA lot of great bands have put out records this year. This album is hands down, my favorite! If you are a fan of Kurt Vile, I can't see you not adoring this. It's very different yet you can tell they have played together for several years and their influences rub off on each other in so many different and amazing ways! Fantastic band puts out a fantastic record!… Expand
  2. MooziikMaster
    Aug 19, 2011
    9
    July and August have been pretty boring music wise. This is the best thing I've heard this summer. It kind of reminds me of a cross betweenJuly and August have been pretty boring music wise. This is the best thing I've heard this summer. It kind of reminds me of a cross between Cut Copy and Kurt Vile (check them out!). Considering all of the crappy pop music this year, this album shows that maybe there is hope for music. The same goes for albums like Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes, No Color by The Dodos, Kiss Each Other Clean by Iron & Wine, Whokill by tUnE-yArDs, etc. Very experimental, very moving. Good job.… Expand
  4. musicmaster2273
    Aug 17, 2011
    8
    This album has to be the best new album I've listened to in the last couple of weeks. Their first album seemed kind of shaky and overlyThis album has to be the best new album I've listened to in the last couple of weeks. Their first album seemed kind of shaky and overly experimental, but this album does the first one justice. The electronics and rhythmic guitar make this a overall worthy musical experience. Adam Granduciel has shown that there is still rock and roll alive in the 2010's, it just has a new, more modern sound.… Expand
  5. j30
    Nov 23, 2011
    8
    This record kind of reminds me of Urban Hymes by the Verve, without the catchy grooves. Being catchy doesn't necessarily mean it's bad orThis record kind of reminds me of Urban Hymes by the Verve, without the catchy grooves. Being catchy doesn't necessarily mean it's bad or good. In this case, it's very good.… Expand
  6. Martim_Durao
    Aug 19, 2011
    8
    Well, all i can say is that they are the new Stone Roses. How great is that? I say it is very great to experience experimental grooves thatWell, all i can say is that they are the new Stone Roses. How great is that? I say it is very great to experience experimental grooves that are so well mixed-up and with a purpose.… Expand
  7. MCRR
    Apr 21, 2015
    7
    A strong soporific album with easily identifiable influences, namely; The Boss, Dylan and The Waterboys, Kurt Vile's influence clearlyA strong soporific album with easily identifiable influences, namely; The Boss, Dylan and The Waterboys, Kurt Vile's influence clearly remains. This is 'slacker-rock' meets modern rock with a little shake of late 80's indie. A well delivered slice of sound providing the listener with a refreshing breeze of ambience, Slave Ambience.… Expand
  8. Ricko
    Jan 7, 2022
    7
    I listened to this retrospectively, having come across the band in the late 2010's. While relatively underdeveloped, "Slave Ambient" has a lotI listened to this retrospectively, having come across the band in the late 2010's. While relatively underdeveloped, "Slave Ambient" has a lot of the hallmarks of what is now their established sound. It's a strange album in that there are songs without traditional song structures. I can't recall a single chorus once it's finished but when your listening to the record it is quite immersive.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best Album of 2011

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