A Deeper Understanding (2017)

A Deeper Understanding is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band The War on Drugs. It was released on August 25, 2017, through Atlantic Records. The album was mixed by engineer Shawn Everett. The album won Best Rock Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

Reception

A Deeper Understanding received acclaim from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 81, based on 33 reviews, indicating universal acclaim. According to Marcy Donelson of AllMusic, A Deeper Understanding "reclaims and explores the distinctive soundscapes, vastness, and haunted psyche of Lost in the Dream, and that in itself is significant." On the same site, in a readers' poll by users it was ranked as the #1 album of 2017. Mark Richardson of Pitchfork noted similarities with mid-'80s rock, stating it is "also a fascinating study in influence; it’s hard to think of a band with more obvious touchstones that also sounds so original." Michael Bonner of Uncut Magazine described it as "some of the richest, most compelling and least lonely-sounding music of Granduciel’s career".

In a less enthusiastic review for Slant Magazine, Josh Goller noted "the album's lyrics, however, can’t match this same level of musical precision, and Granduciel too often repeats the same vague sentiments using threadbare imagery." The album's title was influenced by Kate Bush's song with the same name.

It was nominated for International Album of the Year at the 2018 UK Americana Awards.

At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, A Deeper Understanding won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.

Personnel

The War on Drugs

Robbie Bennett – Prophet 12 (tracks 1, 7), piano (2–4, 8, 10), celeste (3, 9), backing vocals (4), Hammond Organ (9), Rhodes (9), Baldwin Organ (10)

Adam Granduciel – vocals (all tracks), LinnDrum (1), samplers (1), Yamaha CS-5 (1), piano (1, 2, 4, 5, 7–9), electric guitars (1, 3, 5, 8–10), Wurlitzer (1, 4, 5, 7, 10), Mellotron (1, 5), Hammond Organ (1, 6), E70 Organ (2), Nashville guitars (2), acoustic guitars (2–4, 6–10), lead electric guitars (2, 4, 6, 7), vibes (2, 5, 7), celeste (2, 7), Juno 106 (2, 7), synthesizers (3, 6), bass guitar (4), Korg Trident (4), harmonica (4, 6–10), percussion (4, 8), Arp Solina (4, 8, 9), Prophet 5 (4, 9, 10), PolyKorg (5), drums (6, 8), Vox Jaguar (7), Roland Juno-60 (7–9), organ (8), tape loops (8), Vox Organ (9)

Charlie Hall – drums (1, 2, 7, 8), percussion (1, 2, 7, 10), backing vocals (4), electric guitar (4), vibes (8)

Dave Hartley – bass guitar (1–4, 6, 8), glockenspiel (3), acoustic guitar (4), backing vocals (4), fretless bass (5, 7, 10), Höfner bass (9)

Anthony LaMarca – electric guitar (2, 4, 8, 9), slide guitar (3), backing vocals (4), drums (5), acoustic guitar (7)

Jon Natchez – baritone saxophone (1, 2, 8–10)

Additional musicians

Patrick Berkery – drums (3, 9), percussion (3, 8, 9)

Michael Bloch – electric rhythm guitar (3, 7), electric guitar (6, 9)

Meg Duffy – slide guitar (3, 9)

Max Hart – Prophet 6 (3), Oberheim Expander (3), pedal steel (7)

Otto Hauser – drums, percussion (10)

Darren Jessee – drums, percussion (4)

Michael Johnson – Arp Odyssey (1, 10)

Josh Kauffman – amplified voice (8), electric guitar (8, 10)

Parker Kindred – percussion (9)

Sterling Laws – drums, percussion (6)

Lucius (Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig) – backing vocals (2)

Carter Tanton – acoustic guitar (5)

The Dove & The Wolf (Louise Hayat & Paloma Gil) – backing vocals (7, 10)

• Technical
• Adam Granduciel – production, recording
• Shawn Everett – recording, mixing
• Nick Krill, Daniel Schlett, Nicolas Vernhes, Gabe Cox Wax and Jeff Zeigler – additional recording
• Greg Calbi – mastering at Sterling Sound Studios
• Artwork and design
• Adam Granduciel – art direction
• Rob Carmichael – art direction, design
• Shawn Brackbill – center booklet photograph
• Dusdin Condren – photography