Low-key kings of ’90s alt-rock, the Afghan Whigs have been on a tear since reuniting in 2011. The band’s two post-reformation albums — 2014’s “Do to the Beast” and “In Spades,” which arrived in May — seethe with R&B-saturated roars, distortion-fuzzed guitars, and antique-sounding orchestration. “In Spades” especially is haunted by macabre-sounding vibes: Strings and horns dart and quiver through many songs, including the elegiac “Toy Automatic” and spare “Oriole,” while the elegant opening salvo “Birdland” has stuttering arrangements that sound like chamber-jazz.
As anyone who’s seen the Afghan Whigs in recent years will testify, this ever-present studio ferocity comes directly from the band’s stunning live shows.
