Led by Adam Granduciel, Philly’s the War on Drugs delivers a fresh take on Americana songwriting, with walls of electric and acoustic guitars, a definite Bruce Springsteen/Tom Petty vibe, especially in the vocals, and some clever Brian Eno-esque studio trickery. It's ethereal and down to earth, and inventive and recognizable all at the same time.

Philadelphia's War on Drugs have seem to come out of nowhere with an album that’s been in constant rotation on my stereo for the past month. Wagonwheel Blues is an amazing debut, and every time I listen I find different things that I love. At various moments I hear Dylan, Springsteen, the Walkmen, Animal Collective...the list goes on. It’s the perfect amalgamation of classic rock and modern day indie, with the songs to boot. And there’s no throwback or retro here, just all around great rock music. "Arms Like Boulders" opens the record with a wailing harmonica, a wall of guitars, and a Dylan-esque vocal delivery. It is one part-roots rock, one-part indie, and one truly great song. "Taking the Farm" (which we recently featured as our Download of the Week) is a distorted, barnstorming romp of a tune. Easily one of the best songs that I've heard all year, it’ll have you have you jumping around singing, and is sure to put a little spring in your step. Any time "Buenos Aires Beach" comes on the stereo, everybody here at OM immediately thinks of the discordant pop stylings of Animal Collective. I can hear it, but come on...can you be in any better company? Not a bad reference, at all! "There Is No Urgency" starts with a wall of noise, then kicks in like a lost song by NY's very own the Walkmen while "A Needle in Your Eye #16" has a slight Velvet Underground feel, with a repetitious melody and some killer, witty lyrics. Damn, does this album have a bad song? Well, to tell you the truth… not a single one! The War on Drugs have given us one of the best debuts of the year. Keep an eye on these guys, they are reaching for the stars! [JS] (6/18/08)