A Deeper Understanding

A Deeper Understanding
Studio album by The War on Drugs
Released August 25, 2017
Genre
Length 66:13
Label Atlantic
Producer Adam Granduciel
The War on Drugs chronology
Lost in the Dream
(2014)		 A Deeper Understanding
(2017)
Singles from A Deeper Understanding
  1. "Thinking of a Place"
    Released: April 22, 2017
  2. "Holding On"
    Released: June 1, 2017
  3. "Strangest Thing"
    Released: July 18, 2017
  4. "Pain"
    Released: August 3, 2017
  5. "Up All Night"
    Released: August 15, 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

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic81/100[3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
The A.V. ClubA−[5]
The Guardian[6]
The Independent[7]
NME[8]
The Observer[9]
Pitchfork8.7/10[10]
Q[11]
Rolling Stone[1]
Uncut8/10[12]

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 28 reviews, indicating universal acclaim.[3] 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."[4] On the same site, in a readers' poll by users it was ranked as the #1 album of 2017.[13] 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."[10] Michael Bonner of Uncut Magazine described it as "some of the richest, most compelling and least lonely-sounding music of Granduciel’s career".[14]

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."[15] The album's title has been influenced by Kate Bush's song with the same name.[16][17]

It was nominated for International Album of the Year at the 2018 UK Americana Awards.[18]

At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, A Deeper Understanding won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.[19]

Accolades

Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Drowned in Sound Favourite Albums of 2017
96
Exclaim Top 20 Pop & Rock Albums of 2017
9
The Independent The 30 Best Albums of 2017
29
NME NME's Albums of the Year 2017
39
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2017
11
RIOT Mag RIOT's Albums Of The Year 2017
9
Stereogum The 50 Best Albums of 2017
6
Uncut 75 Best Albums of 2017
2
Vinyl Me, Please The 30 Best Albums of 2017
12

Track listing

All tracks written by Adam Granduciel, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Up All Night"6:23
2."Pain"5:30
3."Holding On" (Granduciel, Robbie Bennett)5:50
4."Strangest Thing"6:40
5."Knocked Down"4:00
6."Nothing to Find"6:10
7."Thinking of a Place"11:10
8."In Chains"7:20
9."Clean Living"6:28
10."You Don't Have to Go"6:42
Total length:66:13

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
Belgium (BEA)[55] Gold 15,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[56] Gold 25,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hermes, Will (August 24, 2017). "A Deeper Understanding". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Jones, Chris. "The War On Drugs: A Deeper Understanding – rehashing the psychedelic Americana formula". The Irish Times. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Reviews and Tracks for A Deeper Understanding by The War on Drugs". Metacritic. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Donelson, Marcy. "A Deeper Understanding – The War on Drugs". AllMusic. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. ↑ Gerardi, Matt (August 25, 2017). "The War On Drugs' biggest album thrives on its smallest details". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  6. ↑ Mumford, Gwilym (August 24, 2017). "The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding review – the expansive sound of love and loneliness". The Guardian. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  7. ↑ Gill, Andy (August 24, 2017). "Album reviews: Queens Of The Stone Age – Villains, The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding, and more". The Independent. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  8. ↑ Beaumont, Mark (August 24, 2017). "The War On Drugs – 'A Deeper Understanding'". NME. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  9. ↑ Snapes, Laura (August 27, 2017). "The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding review – deeper but not darker". The Observer. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Richardson, Mark (August 25, 2017). "The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  11. ↑ Segal, Victoria (September 2017). "Medicine Man". Q (376): 104.
  12. ↑ Anderson, Jason (September 2017). "The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding". Uncut (244): 24.
  13. ↑ "The 2017 AllMusic Readers' Poll".
  14. ↑ Bonner, Michael (August 29, 2017). "The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Uncut Magazine. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  15. ↑ Goller, Josh (August 10, 2017). "The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  16. ↑ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11913341
  17. ↑ https://www.pressreader.com/uk/classic-rock/20171201/281878708682932
  18. ↑ http://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-section/music-news/robert-plant-to-receive-lifetime-achievement-award-at-uk-americana-awards-2018/
  19. ↑ Atkinson, Katie (28 January 2018). "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  20. ↑ "Drowned in Sound's Favourite Albums of 2017". Drowned in Sound. November 22, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  21. ↑ Exclaim Staff (29 November 2017). "Exclaim!'s Top 20 Pop & Rock Albums, 10 to 1". Exclaim. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  22. ↑ "The 30 best albums of 2017". The Independent. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  23. ↑ "NME's Albums of the Year 2017". NME. November 23, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  24. ↑ "The 50 Best Albums of 2017". Pitchfork. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  25. ↑ "RIOT's Albums Of The Year 2017". RIOT Mag. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  26. ↑ Stereogum Staff (December 5, 2017). "The 50 Best Albums of 2017". Stereogum. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Uncut's 75 Best Albums of 2017". Uncut. November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  28. ↑ "The 30 Best Albums of 2017". Vinyl Me, Please. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  29. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  33. ↑ "The War on Drugs Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 201735 on the field besides the word "Zobrazit", and then click over the word to retrieve the correct chart data. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  37. ↑ "The War on Drugs: A Deeper Understanding" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Lescharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The War on Drugs". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  41. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  42. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  46. ↑ "Top 100 Albumes — Semana 35: del 25.08.2017 al 31.08.2017" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  47. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  48. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  49. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  50. ↑ "The War on Drugs Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  51. ↑ "The War on Drugs Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  52. ↑ "The War on Drugs Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  53. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten Albums 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  54. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2017". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  55. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2018". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  56. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – War on drugs – A deeper understanding" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter A deeper understanding in the "Artiest of titel" box.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.