 | Tracklist:
1. Great Expectations
2. The '59 Sound
3. Old White Lincoln
4. High Lonesome
5. Film Noir
6. Miles Davis & The Cool
7. The Patient Ferris Wheel
8. Casanova, Baby!
9. Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
10. Meet Me By The River´s Edge
11. Here´s Looking At You Kid
12. The Backseat
| Ranking: #31 for 2008 | |
|
On 136 Lists
|
| Summary: The Gaslight Anthem create something huge. |
Just what would you get if you threw Reinventing Axl Rose and Born to Run into a blender, closed your eyes, and hoped for the best? Ladies and gentlemen, introducing The Gaslight Anthem with The '59 Sound. The most personal, honest, and catchy sing-a-long of 2008. Why this band has slipped under the radar until now will remain a mystery to me, as well as many others I'm sure, but with The '59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem look set to receive the success that's long due to these New Jersey leather-clad punks.
With a sublime talent for story-telling at the forefront of their arsenal, the band attack on many fronts. Lead singer Brian Fallon shares the vocal qualities of many punk contemporaries with a distinct rough edge to his voice that serves as a perfect imperfection. It's when these rough vocals sing the lyrical stories that Fallon writes, the music becomes relatable. Anyone singing along, at the top of their lungs, regardless of ability, can feel like it's their song. "I saw tail lights last night and I dreamed about my first wife." Fallon sings, "Everybody leaves and I'd expect as much from you", in opener "Great Expectations" creating the relatable feeling of abandonment in nothing short of a true working mans song. It's the same reason many listeners flock to Against Me!'s Tom Gabel or Hot Water Music's Chuck Ragan, the vocals deliver an honesty that is unquestionable.
The album seems most successful when it delivers the driving, anthemic atmospheres that made Springsteen so famous, perfectly exemplified in songs such as "Miles Davis & The Cool", "The '59 Sound", and "High Lonesome" consisting of huge choruses and loud, echoing vocals. However, they aren't a one-trick pony and prove this by succeeding with songs such as "Film Noir" that combines blues, punk and a catchy chorus, "Even Cowgirls Get The Blues", a bluesy number with a folk-tinge, driven by a delicious riff and the only real slow song on the album, "Here's Looking at You, Kid" which captures the essence of rock n roll dreams and opportunities lost in a slow-burning lament with drums at the backbone.
The two best songs on the album, however, would be "Great Expectations" and "Old White Lincoln". Determined, upbeat and catchy, "Great Expectations" builds an irresistible melody that suits perfectly for an opening track. From the first strummed chords, if this track doesn't hook you in, there's an unlikely chance the rest of the album will. "Old White Lincoln" is an uplifting ode to a loved one, with a notable chorus that imprints itself into your memory, as Fallon sings "You and your high top sneakers and your sailor tattoos. Your old '55 that you drove through the roof." over the backing "Ooohs".
There really isn't too much to critique the band on other than the fact that some listeners may find the tracks all too similar for their liking, as many of the tracks do share a certain atmosphere which can easily be mistaken as repetitiveness, although just as easily labeled as continuity and flow in the songs. Overall, this is an album that deserves to be played from start to finish. If The Gaslight Anthem don't break out of obscurity with this, it's going to take a goliath of an effort to do so, because this is an absolutely remarkable release that is sure to take critics by surprise. 2008 lists watch out. There's a new contender in town.
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4.5
Ok so I haven't reviewed in ages so this definitely isn't one of my best. I just had to get this out though because I haven't found an album that's inspired me enough to write about it since...well, since my last review. Helpful criticism is welcomed.
Album rules.
stream: www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthemThis Message Edited On 08.15.08
Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music | | |
Definitely needs a rewrite, but you've convinced me to pick this up.
Digging: Kate Miller-Heidke - Nightflight
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Yeah, wrote this during the half hour before the Sweden v Germany quarterfinal olympic match came on o/.
| | |
Who won?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Half time. 0-0. HEJA SVERIGE.
After you've listened to the stream of this, tell me what you think.
| | |
For sure, man. I've been told time after time to listen to these dewdz.
| | | Album Rating: 5
I've been addicted to this since it leaked.
Digging: Love American - Disquiet Digging: Love American - Disquiet | | | Album Rating: 5
great review, and i totally agree with it, although your idea of this "taking critics by surprise" is a little unfounded, as there's been a ridiculous amount of hype behind these guys in both the press and on the internet (practically the whole userbase at punknews.org has been furiously whacking over this band for a good year now, and kerrang put them on the cover without any prior mention in the magazine). still, one of the few bands who deserve said hype.
review gets my vote for sure, and i might actually review this myself soon, after a few more listens. it's currently bordering on a 5 for me, i figure a week or two of further listens will decide...
| | |
review is swell
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I actually had no idea about the hype, grimbo, although I'd heard about the Kerrang cover but wasn't sure if it was true. I figure this'll probably get up to a 4.5 for personal enjoyment within a week or two.
| | | Album Rating: 5
This is too damn catchy!
| | | Album Rating: 4
Pretty great after a listen.
| | | Album Rating: 4
grimbo, I'd like to read a review by you on this one. This rating is likely to go up. This and The Loved Ones' Build and Burn are reviving pop punk / rock for me.
| | | Album Rating: 4
This is some good stuff. I enjoy Sink or Swim a little more at this point but that could change after more listens.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Initially, I was still favouring Sink or Swim but after a few more listens this really grew on me. Just wait.
| | | Album Rating: 4
I'll take it over Sink or Swim so far.
| | | Album Rating: 5
wicked good album. i love new jersey right now.
| | | Album Rating: 3
I was thinking of reviewing this after i listened to the stream a few times a couple of days ago, but i dont think i like the album enough to do so. To me its an average pop-rock record with a few really good songs (especially Old White Lincoln and Ferris Wheel), and a load more average ones that sound very similar. It has quite a cool 50s vibe to the sound which i like, but i think in the end theres too much reverb on everything. Overall, its quite good but not great in my opinion. I saw them on the front of Kerrang the other day, and though I was surprised I can see why, its accessible catchy music that non-metalhead Kerrang readers will like.This Message Edited On 08.18.08
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Fair enough but I think the reverb is essential in putting across that cool 50s vibe you were talking about and, at least for me, it doesn't get overwhelming.
| | |
I enjoyed Sink or Swim so I'll check this out. Great review too.
| | | |
|
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us
