Review: The War on Drugs Move into Milwaukee’s Club Garibaldi

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On the short walk from Club Garibaldi to my car Saturday I overheard this conversation between two kids talking about the set The War on Drugs had just played.

“That was the best show I’ve seen this year. Shit, that was the best show I’ve seen in a while.”

“I know. That shit was unexplainably good. Mind blowing, even.”

After hearing this I beamed a little. Now some could argue that the unshakable smile on my face was related to the cheap cost of whisky at country clubs or the fact that I had seen my aunt get married no less than 8 hours earlier, and they would only be half right. I was also on a bit of cloud and in complete agreement about the show.

And I think I am more in agreement with the usually half-ass statement of the show being unexplainably good than anything else. It was in fact, unexplainably good and I’m afraid that any attempt to explain just what made The War on Drugs show one of the best that I’ve seen in a while so damn good would a) not do how great it was justice and b) only make me sound like a madman.

But I’ll give it a try, anyway

While the show was going on, as the band superbly executed most of their new Slave Ambient record, I continuously shook my head in amazement. The band perfectly melded guitar (which was WAY upfront and dancing around the room much like the slinky Sperry clad kids directly in front of the stage) with the pulsating drums, mesmerizing keys, and the unbelievable grooves of bass player Dave Hartley. They crafted such a holistic sound that even when I tried to allow one instrument to take my ears and mind captive, I was drawn back to the center. There was a magnetic energy flowing through Club G that was impossible to escape. Just ask the kids that were snaking and jiving up front.

It was after noticing this early on that the connection with the music on this particular night became… unshakeable.

While I always feel that live music is a good supplement to moods and a good shoulder when you need it, I feel that it oftentimes skims over the surface of that moment like a helicopter. It’s a visitor. It flies above and momentarily takes over your thought process while allowing lasting thoughts or problems to break back in and reconvene.  Two days ago, The War on Drugs set wasn’t anything like that.

The band, masterminded by Adam Granduciel, didn’t just come to Milwaukee to visit. They moved in. Instead of hovering over, they filled in gaps and flooded water thirsty ravines with superb play. They created a multidimensional atmosphere out of thin air. Each note intricately designed to plug a hole or fulfill a need. If you were a fan you might ask what songs they played? It didn’t matter to me. The fact that they played and I was there was all that mattered.

Fact is, The War on Drugs are dominating both of 2011’s best of categories for me and I’ve got a feeling that they’ll be hard to move from those positions.

If you haven’t already, be sure to pick up Slave Ambient. And if your cities on their schedule, clear out some headspace (or don’t)- either way, The War on Drugs are moving in.

photos by: Jennell Jenney