#2 War on Drugs - Q's Top 20 Albums of 2014
The War on Drugs wins the #2 spot on this year's countdown.
Our countdown of the Top 20 albums of 2014 continues with Adam Granduciel -- a.k.a The War on Drugs -- and his album Lost in the Dream.
The quest for perfection can often drive a musician mad, especially in the age of modern recording technology and endless digital tweaking and twisting with no fear of the tape wearing thin. And for the tortured genius behind our number 2 album of the year, this quest was all consuming.
- Related: The War on Drugs brings dreamy vibe to Q (note: this post features an archival interview)
For nearly two years, Granduciel worked painstakingly at his new record. When he finally decided to proclaim it finished, his project had claimed a long term relationship and flared his crippling anxiety. It's an album that wears its pain on its sleeve, but by doing so it celebrates the important darkness that makes us human.
With songs that call back to the greats like Petty, Dylan, and Springsteen, it looks to the past while still sounding fresh. These are songs that are built for the highway of life, with echoing guitars, pulsing drums and seemingly endless riffs that fade off into the sunset.
It's a powerful, emotional and devastating record. On his quest for perfection, The War on Drugs came awfully close.
Click here to continue browsing our annual countdown of Q's Top 20 Albums of the Year -- a list of 20 must-hear records from 2014 compiled by director Brian Coulton and producer Mitch Pollock. All month long we'll bring you the list, and special web extras, as we journey from 20 to one.