Lost In the Dream
by The War on Drugs
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 217 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 203 out of 217
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 217
  3. Negative: 7 out of 217
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. StevenX
    Jul 22, 2023
    7
    OK, so Future Islands and M83 had a baby, limitied it to mostly two chords per song with occasional exceptions, found a less obnoxious singer to front it, and put it on the road. Little things about this album will thrill you, like the languid beauty of the music in "Suffering" that helps you forget that the lyrics that seem more like a rough draft than a peek into Adam Granduciel's, well,OK, so Future Islands and M83 had a baby, limitied it to mostly two chords per song with occasional exceptions, found a less obnoxious singer to front it, and put it on the road. Little things about this album will thrill you, like the languid beauty of the music in "Suffering" that helps you forget that the lyrics that seem more like a rough draft than a peek into Adam Granduciel's, well, suffering. Other little things about this album will perplex you, like the overly-long but luxirious opener "Under The Pressure" saddled with an out-of-tune piano as its main melodic counterpoint. Oh, this is indie, never mind.… Expand
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 25, 2022
    8
    Absolutely breathtaking. Reminiscent of early U2 . The album has a strong 80s feel to it, which is great. Adam's voice is very Bob Dylan-ish, and that's something that i enjoyed deeply. The lyrics are devastating, and beautiful.
  3. Acid3P
    Feb 18, 2022
    9
    Some albums become so ingrained in you that you remember where you first heard them. Lost in the Dream first came to me on a plane. I put off listening to it for a long time because I was put off by the strange band name and had no idea what genre it was. The first two songs totally got me. What great arrangements, layers. Surfaces, repetitive drums and here and there some screaming. ItSome albums become so ingrained in you that you remember where you first heard them. Lost in the Dream first came to me on a plane. I put off listening to it for a long time because I was put off by the strange band name and had no idea what genre it was. The first two songs totally got me. What great arrangements, layers. Surfaces, repetitive drums and here and there some screaming. It was probably my low knowledge of older music at the time, but the unique approach really excited me. Today, of course, I recognize various inspirations from times past, but the love for TWOD's music remains.… Expand
  4. Daybroken
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    If you're reading reviews of this album stop. Go listen to it, this is as close to perfect as is possible.
  5. Paul_Mokeski
    Jan 30, 2017
    9
    It's f*cking bliss dude...............................................................................................................................
  6. longjetty7
    Nov 9, 2016
    7
    Lost In the Dream is an honest-to-goodness feel good album. It has a familiar and immediately engaging sound, and it's easy to get lost in the extended arrangements. There are several great songs on this album, especially Red Eyes and An Ocean In Between The Waves. My biggest complaint is that some of the slow songs kind of drain the energy of the more upbeat songs, but overall, this is aLost In the Dream is an honest-to-goodness feel good album. It has a familiar and immediately engaging sound, and it's easy to get lost in the extended arrangements. There are several great songs on this album, especially Red Eyes and An Ocean In Between The Waves. My biggest complaint is that some of the slow songs kind of drain the energy of the more upbeat songs, but overall, this is a pretty good album that I find myself returning to every once in a while.… Expand
  7. sentend
    May 1, 2016
    10
    Really a transcendent album by The War on Drugs, weaves together a lot of complex ideas and emotions and displays them in an unusually hazy context. An album you can really lose yourself in.
  8. Ricko
    Sep 2, 2015
    8
    Through out "Lost in the Dream" I reminded both of early U2 and Don Henley. The album has a sound removed from current trends in Indie rock music and the results on show are solid. There is a lack of any standout track, in fact the tracks blend into each other quite cohesively. The length of the outro's add to the feeling that the tracks all slip into one another. There is a definite soundThrough out "Lost in the Dream" I reminded both of early U2 and Don Henley. The album has a sound removed from current trends in Indie rock music and the results on show are solid. There is a lack of any standout track, in fact the tracks blend into each other quite cohesively. The length of the outro's add to the feeling that the tracks all slip into one another. There is a definite sound across the record, a similar texture to all the songs. Production wise I think some of the finer details are lost due to the reverb guitars brought to the very front of the mix. It's an enjoyable listen but lacks real killer tunes and more often then not the songs outstay their welcome to warrant regular revisiting.… Expand
  9. mjship11
    Mar 10, 2015
    10
    I haven't been this blown away by an album since Raffi dropped "Bananaphone" back in 1994. Every track on here flows seamlessly and despite its simplicity I never get bored listening to it.
  10. hooner
    Feb 18, 2015
    0
    Just like the Dire Straits album I never wanted...every song sounds the same, goes nowhere and is way too long. Fecking boring to be honest...overrated.
  11. Bananaguy1718
    Jan 20, 2015
    9
    Going into this album, I had only heard that it was a supposedly great indie record. I was surprised to find, however, that it hearkens back to rockers like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, musically like the former, and vocally like the latter. Very intricate, and practically begs for many, many listens.
  12. Jimmor
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    An epic and diverse disc that grows better with every listen. Perhaps the best of the year. The range of emotions and music are unparalleled in rock today.
  13. Muddsjr
    Dec 21, 2014
    9
    I remain fairly unfamiliar with the earlier works of The War On Drugs, however simply this one album is enough to keep me satisfied to a bit. Throughout the entirety of 'Lost in The Dream' you sense an awful lot of melancholy with each song, but sit yourself back and loose yourself in the beauty that this album is.
  14. theBEAT
    Oct 13, 2014
    10
    Beautifully intense brooding, Lost in the Dream is a thought-provoking album that directly addresses the darkness in the night and asks the listener to not only question their current problems, but also discover those that lie beneath the skin's surface.
    BEST TRACKS: Red Eyes, Suffering
  15. kayceeatgee
    Oct 4, 2014
    9
    Had never heard WOD until Under the Pressure a couple of weeks back. Album of the year for me. Ocean between the Waves and Dissappearing are my highlights. Beautiful.
  16. MusicForPeople
    Sep 24, 2014
    10
    The atmospheric, captivating, lush and nearly perfect album by The War on Drugs is all I have been listening to for almost 24 hours, and this follows weeks of listening to the album all the way through already, maybe 20 times or more in that span. Although I don't write a lot of album reviews anymore-as most music fans don't have the intense and obsessive love for it that I do-especiallyThe atmospheric, captivating, lush and nearly perfect album by The War on Drugs is all I have been listening to for almost 24 hours, and this follows weeks of listening to the album all the way through already, maybe 20 times or more in that span. Although I don't write a lot of album reviews anymore-as most music fans don't have the intense and obsessive love for it that I do-especially of so many bands outside the realm of radio, but in this case I felt compelled because I haven't been this blown away by a recording for as long as I can remember.

    The War on Drugs have been compared to Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, Tom Petty and others in the "classic rock" footprint, and they certainly paint with brushes dipped in all of them, but for me it's Dylan I hear most on this record. There's no question that Singer/Guitarist Adam Granduciel has a similar vocal style and tone to Dylan, but it's more than the way his words fill your ears sonically but also subtleties woven into every track on Lost in the Dream that echo the iconic folk rocker. Much of the guitar tonality and noodling/building of solos is reminiscent of Knopfler from Dire Straits as well but this album is in no way derivative; it's original and Iconic, even in its infancy.

    There's a great article about frontman Granduciel in Pitchfork that I linked on my Facebook page describing his ongoing battle with Anxiety and Depression and the fact that this album came amidst such pain and torment is both unfathomable and obvious. "Great art comes from pain", as I've heard so many times and believe undoubtedly, but this record doesn't overtly reflect pain. It's not depressive, but rather uplifting in its sound and often in message. There are dark moments, like the aptly titled "Suffering", but as a whole this brilliant Album serves as an elixir to the melancholy spirit. It's often hushed and dreamy mood is not always uplifting but it's hopeful, pure and inspired. Considering where it's origin was, how the words and music were formulated and brought to life in the shadows, it's even more amazing it became the brilliant and radiant piece of music that it is.

    It's hard to isolate specific songs and speak of them on Lost in the Dream because like so many other great albums, this one is meant to be absorbed completely as one entity. There are gorgeous individual pieces on this record, sweeping, expansive musical breaks, subtle and almost hidden undertones of a variety of instruments and a number of guitar parts that mesmerize and impress. On each track there's something memorable and textured but listening to the Album wall to wall is really the only way to appreciate it and have it fully resonate. If I was to choose a couple standouts Id likely choose "An Ocean Between the Waves", "Under the Pressure", "Red Eyes" and my likely favorite "In Reverse", but for me there's really no low point on this record. It's a ten song lesson in the power of rock and roll when left to the souls interpretation of what emotions should sound like. Anyone with a love of alternative, indie, classic, folk or mainstream rock should be listening to this incredible record. Hell, if you have ears, have at least shed a tear in your lifetime and think guitars are cool you should be listening to this Album. It's that good, without question.    … Expand
  17. exodus9237
    Sep 21, 2014
    10
    Excellent. Clearly better than Slave Ambient, The War On Drugs created an album worth of enjoying. I have to say that at first it may be hard-listening, but once you get the idea you realize is greater, more fun and more complex than it appears at first. The melodies really go according to the title, because it's clear that you are lost in the dream.
  18. nopejo
    Sep 4, 2014
    10
    I listen to this album nearly every day and I never get sick of it. Like an addiction I just want more. I don't know any of today's bands who have taken from the greats of the past and given such a wonderful new interpretation of the music they created, an interpretation and improvisation that actually takes the music to a higher level. This is something special that doesn't come alongI listen to this album nearly every day and I never get sick of it. Like an addiction I just want more. I don't know any of today's bands who have taken from the greats of the past and given such a wonderful new interpretation of the music they created, an interpretation and improvisation that actually takes the music to a higher level. This is something special that doesn't come along very often, not one weak track, I hope there is more to come but if not thank you.… Expand
  19. badgerfan21
    Aug 23, 2014
    10
    In a year of stellar releases (Future Islands, First Aid Kit, Spoon to name a few), this album stands ahead of the rest. Best record I've heard all year. Red Eyes, Ocean and Burning leap out but not a weak song on the album.
  20. Custom_Concerns
    Aug 3, 2014
    10
    I was really in the mood to listen to this album the other day, but my grandma was in the car. I didn't know if she would take to this sort of 80's alternative style, as she generally enjoys 50's rock and some current pop music. Put it on anyway, she loved it. Proof of a solid release.
  21. Daniel_B
    Jul 7, 2014
    9
    Awesome record. Mellow, but not so slow as to be boring. It opens stronger than it finishes (the first two tracks might be the best on the album), but overall it's strong.
    Definitely going to end up being one of my favorites from this year.
  22. MiguelPardo
    May 12, 2014
    10
    The album is awesome, You can hear Bruce Springsteen or Dire Straits without any problem, the best album of 2014 in the 5 months that we have had. 10/10
  23. BlankGarnand14
    Apr 25, 2014
    9
    Beautiful, slow, distant beats wander in the background while Adam Granduciel sings emotionally charged lyrics in the foreground. Takes a bit to get in to, but is an amazing album. Just get past the fact that a lot of the songs include a drum-machine beat. Some amazing melodies to be found here. Best songs have to be "Under Pressure" "Eyes to the Wind" and "In Reverse" but pretty much allBeautiful, slow, distant beats wander in the background while Adam Granduciel sings emotionally charged lyrics in the foreground. Takes a bit to get in to, but is an amazing album. Just get past the fact that a lot of the songs include a drum-machine beat. Some amazing melodies to be found here. Best songs have to be "Under Pressure" "Eyes to the Wind" and "In Reverse" but pretty much all the songs have their unique charm if you pay attention.… Expand
  24. Scooter4849
    Apr 23, 2014
    7
    Very dreamy, but somewhat boring at times. Definitely a step up from there previous work, blending various styles of music such as Psychedelia, Krautrock, Folk and Americana nicely. Not a bad album at all, but it really has nothing on groups like Arcade fire and Tame Impala when it comes to Americana and Psychedelia.
  25. adhamhany
    Mar 31, 2014
    8
    The album has a strong 80s feel to it, which is great. Adam's voice is very Bob Dylan-ish, and that's something that i enjoyed deeply. The lyrics are devastating, and beautiful.

    However, some tracks are not-so-great, and others are a bit longer that they need to be. So i can't really call it a masterpiece, like other users are claiming it to be.
  26. groogas11
    Mar 26, 2014
    8
    Musically, this album is a thing of beauty. The band brings together subtle elements of Talk Talk, Blue Nile and Daniel Lanois (strong 80s vibe) , mixed with the edginess of Tom Petty, Neil Young and Bruce. It's sonically never dull and some of the best new music I've heard in a while. Unfortunately, I'm not sold on his voice, which is Bob Dylan-ish, albeit Bob on a very good day. If I wasMusically, this album is a thing of beauty. The band brings together subtle elements of Talk Talk, Blue Nile and Daniel Lanois (strong 80s vibe) , mixed with the edginess of Tom Petty, Neil Young and Bruce. It's sonically never dull and some of the best new music I've heard in a while. Unfortunately, I'm not sold on his voice, which is Bob Dylan-ish, albeit Bob on a very good day. If I was more sold on his voice and lyrics, this could be a classic. But all that notwithstanding, it's still very very good.… Expand
  27. UpTheDante
    Mar 25, 2014
    9
    'Lost in the Dream' is a title of great aptitude.
    The War on Drugs' latest LP is a gorgeous, fluent collection of reveries, of sprawling, euphoric, Springsteen-aping dreamscapes one can only imagine frontman Adam Granduciel putting to paper. In concurrence with the band's name, this is a psych album devoid of hallucinogen-induced escapism or delirium, relying purely on Granduciel's    'Lost in the Dream' is a title of great aptitude.
    The War on Drugs' latest LP is a gorgeous, fluent collection of reveries, of sprawling, euphoric, Springsteen-aping dreamscapes one can only imagine frontman Adam Granduciel putting to paper. In concurrence with the band's name, this is a psych album devoid of hallucinogen-induced escapism or delirium, relying purely on Granduciel's capacity to deliver emotion subtly and with admirable nuance, and this characteristic alone is worthy of adulation, particularly in a world stuffed full of bands resolutely determined to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Single 'Red Eyes' is charged with immersive and unbounded emotion, while monolithic opener 'Under the Pressure' echoes all dimensions of fuzz-free 70s psychedelia without losing even an iota of its own originality. 'An Ocean In Between the Waves', the album's best and most expansive track, builds intensity slowly and mindfully, beginning with a modest drumbeat and introspective bass line (all of it interspersed with Oldfield-esque guitar noodling) and ending with a bombastic chorus reminiscent of an early Arcade Fire.
    While some may accuse 'Lost in the Dream' of being portentous or dull, and perhaps not being as succinct, eclectic or intricate as albums released from their 70s-echoing contemporaries, there is more than enough substance here to conciliate these concerns and replace them with feelings of relaxation, serenity and, most importantly, happiness.
    'Lost in the Dream' is undoubtedly Granduciel's pace de resistance, and holds its own as a potential candidate for this year's best album so far, standing alone as the best psychedelic LP since Tame Impala's 'Lonerism'.
    The War on Drugs have, since debut Wagonwheel Blues, been haplessly stuck in former member Kurt Vile's shadow; this masterful third effort ensures that their time has come to make a bold step out of it.    … Expand
  28. Juliang
    Mar 23, 2014
    10
    The last album I was this excited about was "Funeral" by Arcade Fire -- a bonafide classic. This album is perfect for a long drive along the American countryside. Perfect for a run around the park. Perfect for an afternoon with friends playing cards. Perfect for a morning commute. Whenever you need something to lift up your spirits and make you believe in the power of music and rock 'nThe last album I was this excited about was "Funeral" by Arcade Fire -- a bonafide classic. This album is perfect for a long drive along the American countryside. Perfect for a run around the park. Perfect for an afternoon with friends playing cards. Perfect for a morning commute. Whenever you need something to lift up your spirits and make you believe in the power of music and rock 'n roll, this album will be there for you.… Expand
  29. kyle_aaronson
    Mar 23, 2014
    8
    Absolutely gorgeous. All I could think of when listening was Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan with a new age Chromatics/Real Estate spin to it. It's pretty obvious where his influences are coming from, and pretty impressive how he can blend American Rock with Shoegaze. That being said, the album lacks a little bit of variance in a way, but it's something that's great to listen to whileAbsolutely gorgeous. All I could think of when listening was Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan with a new age Chromatics/Real Estate spin to it. It's pretty obvious where his influences are coming from, and pretty impressive how he can blend American Rock with Shoegaze. That being said, the album lacks a little bit of variance in a way, but it's something that's great to listen to while reading or studying.… Expand
  30. pkindieboy
    Mar 22, 2014
    10
    Great songs, pacing and sequencing. Really nice production, and... it's not loaded with ballads. I love this band for lots of reasons; Granduciel's voice, the languid guitar-work and propulsive rhythms. Album closer 'In Reverse' is gorgeous. Probably going to be album of the year for me.
  31. Bridgester
    Mar 20, 2014
    9
    I'm not one for long soliloquies about every nuance in an album. I just know what I like in a band, an album. This, my friends, is a special album. It is really effing good.
  32. Matielli
    Mar 20, 2014
    9
    Lindo, intenso e muito emocional, o novo album de The War On Drugs é realmente fascinante. Com faixas que vão das mais calmas até outras mais elétricas, a banda mostra um trabalho incrível em seu terceiro album, mostrando ser um dos melhores discos do ano.
  33. Velocijoey
    Mar 19, 2014
    6
    A tribute to older style rock, Lost In The Dream loses my attention due to it's overly long songs and lack of progression in such a long span of time. Lyrically, this album is a winner but lacks the chord progression or instrumental value from song to song. If this album would've been released in the 80s, this would be an instant classic. Sadly, being stuck in a generation we're no longerA tribute to older style rock, Lost In The Dream loses my attention due to it's overly long songs and lack of progression in such a long span of time. Lyrically, this album is a winner but lacks the chord progression or instrumental value from song to song. If this album would've been released in the 80s, this would be an instant classic. Sadly, being stuck in a generation we're no longer in can harm a production. Base reviews off of originality, not nostalgia.… Expand
  34. WxJim
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    This is album a masterpiece, and it will easily going to go down as one of the best of the year, perhaps even one of the best of the decade. My rebuttal to some of the criticism I see here can be summed up by saying that no, these songs are not simple; they are complex and don't always follow a traditional formula. I don't see this as a problem. You can hear how much careful thought wasThis is album a masterpiece, and it will easily going to go down as one of the best of the year, perhaps even one of the best of the decade. My rebuttal to some of the criticism I see here can be summed up by saying that no, these songs are not simple; they are complex and don't always follow a traditional formula. I don't see this as a problem. You can hear how much careful thought was put into each and every song, as subtle changes in background keyboards or synth tones heighten emotion at just the right times. If the slow build of 'An Ocean in Between the Waves' doesn't get a rise out of you by songs end, I'm not too sure what song possibly can or will. Each song here will take you on a journey if you let it. Give this album a listen, you will not regret it.… Collapse
  35. ckary
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Let me start by saying something I have most certainly never said before: I love The War on Drugs.

    It's fairly uncommon for an album to blend together elements of indie rock, heartland rock and post rock in such delicate and thoughtful doses. Adam Granduciel has made a marvelous and fragile record here; the meshes of ambient sounds echoing troubled thoughts and depressed emotions are    Let me start by saying something I have most certainly never said before: I love The War on Drugs.

    It's fairly uncommon for an album to blend together elements of indie rock, heartland rock and post rock in such delicate and thoughtful doses. Adam Granduciel has made a marvelous and fragile record here; the meshes of ambient sounds echoing troubled thoughts and depressed emotions are very carefully juxtaposed with solid rhythmic accompaniment and distant, emotionally gut-wrenching lyrics.

    It's a harrowing listening experience for anyone who claims to be jaded by the state of music these days. Rock may be dead, sure, but it's albums like Lost In the Dream that feel like it's ghost is coming back to haunt us. You can hear the distant, faded likes of Springsteen, Dylan, Bowie, and Eno; so many revolutionary sounds recycled into a truly unique and refreshing outing that will most likely cause you to dust off the repeat button - at least, for the upbeat rockers like "Under the Pressure", "Red Eyes", and the album's dramatic climax, "Burning".

    The album has bluesy, soulful moments; the dreadfully beautiful "Suffering" is a work in creatively depressing balladry that is gently bolstered by beautiful guitar, piano and saxophone pulses that gently interpolate in and out of consciousness. The brevity and true sincerity of the lyrics in this track is breathtaking - although, most of the tracks on the album have this quality.

    "In An Ocean Between the Waves" is a near powerpop-esque rock-out that shares the depressed esteem of the rest of the album, despite conflicting itself with introspective lyricism of hope and, just maybe, a reality that simply got... lost in a dream. If "In An Ocean Between the Waves" were a party, "Disappearing" would undoubtedly be the hangover. The synth-poppy rhythm and carefully placed piano runs and guitar licks fall back, perhaps, to the 80's, with late-song guitar jabs that are reminiscent of the desperate balladry that shaped the core of true love songs of that era. It's swept away by "Eyes To The Wind", which sounds a bit like Seger, if you use your imagination enough (which this album undoubtedly encourages).

    "The Haunting Idle" is somewhat avant garde; and, surprisingly, one of the more generic pieces on the album. It leads into "Burning", which is toe-tapping, horribly depressing, beautifully destructive and gleefully rejuvenating all at once. Granduciel rounds off the album with the title track - an emotionally distant, folky "I told you so" kind of track - and finally "In Reverse", which almost feels like the album has completely given up on its own pathetic existence, only to rise up for one last fanfare, with all of the energy it has left to muster.

    If you go into a listening session with this album expecting something like Duke_Challenger was (I would love to see his record collection...), you won't get much out of it. Allow me to rephrase that... if you go into this with as much unfounded skepticism as Duke_Challenger, then you shouldn't be listening to indie music, anyways, or most music that requires brain activity to fully appreciate. If the instrumentals are paramount and the lyrics are a distant second that must be accompanied by 'qualified' music based on whatever standards he is referring to, then my taste in music is shot. Pavement - my favorite band of all time and a seminal act in indie rock - managed to make an astounding catalog largely on shoddy, lo-fi instrumentation that fit their mood, with amazing lyrics to boot. I guess by your standards, I should be burned at the cross for appreciating such an obscure and fascinating art form.

    Hell, Bob Dylan's early instrumentation efforts typically sounded like a sack full pots and pans being thrown against a wall. It's not like his legendary contributions to music never influenced wonderful, brilliant minds to come such as Adam Granduciel, right? If that's the standard we are to hold music to - more importantly, indie music - then screw music. I'll call it "educated noise" from now on.

    If it sounds anything like The War on Drugs, I'll sacrifice such a trivial label if it means the closed minded among us won't have anything to do with it.

    10/10    … Expand
  36. WishfulThinking
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Great Album. Don't really understand the criticism of the songwriting.. There is something to be said about lyrics that are direct and simple. They become even more powerful when they are mixed in such nuanced sound and atmosphere. That kind of contrast is what I believe makes the songwriting very good. Also, Adam Granduciel is truly a master in the studio.
  37. Mattydigs
    Mar 18, 2014
    5
    Duke pretty much said it all. Really bad songwriting here! No progression, just atmosphere. Atmosphere does make a song, it only should better an already good song.
  38. adl66690
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Album of the year so far, and one of the best records I have heard in the past decade. Too early to tell, but this could have Yankee Hotel Foxtrot-esque staying power. It's that good. I don't make that comparison lightly. Like that record, this a rare work that beautifully and tragically creates invokes an American landscape that is at once personal and physical/geographical. Don'tAlbum of the year so far, and one of the best records I have heard in the past decade. Too early to tell, but this could have Yankee Hotel Foxtrot-esque staying power. It's that good. I don't make that comparison lightly. Like that record, this a rare work that beautifully and tragically creates invokes an American landscape that is at once personal and physical/geographical. Don't listen to the poster who gave it a 0 and called it absolute garbage. That person clearly doesn't know what terms like instrumentation or chord progressions actually mean, and they are clearly confused about the concept of originality. Apparently originality ALWAYS means choruses and NEVER sounding like other artists. In fact, they don't seem to know what music is at all. According to that reviewer's logic, no great record was EVER original, and originality in music is virtually impossible. Originality can be the ability to further the evolution of music, and this record's originality comes from its ability to build off artists like the Boss while offering a fresh vision of americana that creates a bridge to the ambient sounds of Sonic Youth and the motorik rhythms of Krautrock artists, for example.… Expand
  39. indiegalaxy10
    Mar 18, 2014
    10
    Lost in the dream is a beautiful , emotionally rich and epic album ;The War on Drugs , consolidates as the rock band of the moment, a vivid moment. Adam Granduciel goes more personal and melancholical with the ten gorgeous tracks, tracking the power of our lives in this eternal life. It's their best album and maybe one of the best of the year.
  40. Duke_Challenger
    Mar 18, 2014
    0
    Absolute Garbage!

    This album is nothing but overly long song after over long song, where each song has little to no development at all. Where are the new chord progressions in each song? Or did people suddenly decide that music should just consist of one chord progression throughout a song, while the singer rambles on. I might have heard some choruses in some songs, but I am not    Absolute Garbage!

    This album is nothing but overly long song after over long song, where each song has little to no development at all. Where are the new chord progressions in each song? Or did people suddenly decide that music should just consist of one chord progression throughout a song, while the singer rambles on. I might have heard some choruses in some songs, but I am not sure.

    On top of this, the songs sound like Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible" which in turn sounded like Bruce Springsteen. So, why reward an album with critical acclaim that is for 1) Not Original 2) Repetitive 3) Boring.

    When the only strength of a song is its lyrics, that is a problem. The merit of music is supposed to be based on the instrumentation, and if that is good, then the lyrics can be examined to see if the song is truly great. However, it seems a lot of critics these days put lyrics first and instrumentation second. If it sounds like a tribute to classic music, then they love it. If it sounds original, some may love it, but some may not get it.

    I'd take a horrible sounding original song any day over a pleasant sounding unoriginal song.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Album of 2014
29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2014
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jun 24, 2014
    90
    One man’s suffering becomes our communal celebration, so to speak. It's a fine role for one of the year's best albums to play.
    Read full review
  2. Austin Chronicle
    May 1, 2014
    67
    Lost in the Dream matches last year's Wakin' on a Pretty Daze from Vile riff for riff.
    Read full review
  3. Blurt Magazine
    Apr 18, 2014
    80
    Granduciel’s songs envelop you. As soon as you understand the lyrics for one song, another song buries words in hushed reverb.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »