Review: The Afghan Whigs - Do to the Beast
[Sub Pop Records; 2014]
Rating: 7/10
By Sarah Weingarten, Contributor
Key Tracks: “Matamoros,” “Algiers,” “Lost in the Woods”
Do to the Beast is The Afghan Whigs’ comeback album. The band was formed in the late ‘80s, and hasn’t released a new album since 1998. Comeback albums are typically not very good, and are typically bought by longtime fans desperate for new material.
But Do to the Beast supersedes that notion. It’s not dated, not awful and not just for longtime fans. But it’s not good enough to undo 16 years of silence.
Only two of the four original members returned for Do to the Beast, but The Afghan Whigs recruited five new members to accompany them. The five accompanists give this new record the push The Afghan Whigs needed to successfully propel them into an updated sound.
“Algiers” doesn’t sound like typical Afghan Whigs, with its soft tones and western tinge. The Afghan Whigs are a long way off from their known ‘80s garage punk. The beginning of “Algiers” sounds much like the beginning of “Cell Block Tango” from the musical *Chicago*. Go listen to the two back-to-back and it will be obvious.
The lyrics in “Algiers” are all about love, loneliness and dreams, so clearly The Afghan Whigs haven’t softened with age: “Dream, dream your sins away / Sing your dreams away / You’re holding back, still holding back Algier.”
“Matamoros” is edgier and dirtier than other tracks, featuring more of the typical Afghan Whigs sound. The break mellowed out The Afghan Whigs’ sound, but also matured it.
A wailing guitar solo in “Matamoros” is wedged in between overtly suggestive and angry lyrics: “I'm over you / I tell you why / Your kiss is poison” and “I cut you down / I stitch you up / You play the fire with me.”
Do to the Beast ends with gusto. The final track “These Sticks” starts slow, with the help of a mesmerizing guitar that reminisces on the ‘70s. The track builds and becomes darker with the help of heavy, intense drums. Brass instruments are eventually thrown into the mix.
After the lyrics “Tie these sticks around my heart / Be here when it blows apart / They’ve seen love / But let’s pretend that it’s easy, easy, easy to forget,” the song climaxes into a loud symphony of various noises.
For a comeback album, Do to the Beast is impressive. It shows growth and maturity but also hints of the old The Afghan Whigs. But Do to the Beast is not going to be the album of the summer; it will be the album for the rest of this month.
A 16-year break is just too long for a band. And if a band is coming back from that many years of silence, their album better be of Nevermind status or very close to it. Do to the Beast is a good comeback album, but it isn’t strong enough to undo 16 years.
