 | Tracklist:
1. Baba O'Riley
2. Refugee
3. Our Father's Sons
4. State of Love and Trust
5. Boxer
6. House of the Rising Sun
7. The Navesink Banks (iTunes Download Edition)
Release Date: 10/18/2011 | |
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| Summary: The Gaslight Anthem perform some classic tracks! How did we all miss this? |
December is a month notorious for having under-promoted albums slip by, as music lovers worldwide hurry to compile year-end lists. How that is relevant to the mid-October release of The Gaslight Anthem's 'iTunes Session' EP is beyond me. I mean, it's The Gaslight Anthem... Performing some all-time classic rock tracks. How on Earth did we all miss this? Sure, it's not as if this particular edition of the digital download series requires a great deal of words to sell it, but still... It's recorded by a band who is yet to release anything even resembling sub-par, and all it takes is a cursory glance at that track-list - which contains four interesting covers as well as a few other odds and ends - to be sold. The only other thing that really needs to be mentioned is that this is anything but a cheap radio station recording, since it is professionally compiled, and sounds crisp, clear & detailed.
Undoubtedly of most interest are the four masterfully selected cover versions contained within, and in each case The Gaslight Anthem find that delicate combination of respectfully paying homage to the original, while simultaneously adding their own twist to some clear influences. On The Who's 1971 classic 'Baba O'Riley', The New Jersey quartet come closest to biting off more than they can chew, yet the way in which the dual guitar work stands in for the organ and synth segments is fascinating. The impressive backing vocal hook of 'Refugee' clearly signifies Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers as a strong inspiration, while the seemingly odd selection of Pearl Jam's 'State of Love and Trust' turns out to be a surprising masterstroke. Closing the EP is a cover of 1964s 'House of the Rising Sun', originally recorded by English outfit The Animals. Here, lead vocalist Brian Fallon appears to have swallowed an extra pack of razor blades to bring a dose of the band's punk roots to a true blues-rock classic.
The remainder of the EP almost seems like a bonus, with a stripped down version of 'American Slang' track 'Boxer' recalling Fallon's side-project The Horrible Crowes, while the opposite direction is taken on early cut 'The Navesink Banks' (only available via iTunes) since its climax incorporates a full band element. Last, but not least, comes 'Our Father's Sons', a re-recorded demo from 'The '59 Sound' sessions. It is here where The Gaslight Anthem showcase their lyrical capabilities, with their Springsteen like storytelling proving utterly compelling.
What it all amounts to is another stellar release for this exceptionally talented band. While many will treat it as a stop-gap EP as we await their much-anticipated fourth full-length release (and major label debut), 'iTunes Session' deserves to stand on its own, since The Gaslight Anthem are not too far from their best here. The rhythm section of Alex Levine and Benny Horowitz is as sturdy as ever, Fallon's gravelly vocals captivate, while the lead guitar lines of Alex Rosamilia continuously mesmerize. Yep, it's The Gaslight Anthem... and how dare we overlook any of their stunning work.
Recommended Tracks: House of the Rising Sun, State of Love and Trust & Refugee.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
Ok guys, we need to all be on the same page here... When Gaslight come knocking asking why Sputnik slept on them, we blame them for giving copies to other so-called journalists, who proceed to leak the EP, resulting in the original December-13 release date being brought forward & throwing us all for a loop.
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you rec'd more albums than tracks on this
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories
| | | Album Rating: 4
That's pretty much a given with me.
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i remember hearing about this, but yeah, we as an online music community dropped the ball here.
excellent work as always dave.
Digging: The Dopamines - Vices Digging: The Dopamines - Vices
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Probably all missed it/didn't really care because, you know, iTunes Session....
Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin
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Yeah iTunes session wtf
Digging: John Talabot - Fin
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Thanks Satellite...Although you forgot the "y".
Good point Dev & Jake... Although I thought everyone in the world except me was silly enough to use iTunes, iThis & iThat.
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I don't usually bother with iTunes sessions but The Gaslight Anthem are one of my favourite bands so this was an exception.
Their version of Baba O'Riley might be the best cover of that song I've ever heard.
Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven Digging: The Walkmen - Heaven
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Exactly re: iTunes Sessions Ali.
I was sort of a bit harsh on 'Baba' in the review, but that's more because it's such an awfully difficult song to cover. I really do still enjoy listening to the Gaslight version.
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December is a month notorious for having under-promoted albums slip by, as music lovers worldwide hurry to compile year-end lists. How that is relevant to the mid-October release of The Gaslight Anthem's 'iTunes Session' EP is beyond me.
I love you
Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows
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Had this for ages!
Digging: S. Carey - Hoyas Digging: S. Carey - Hoyas
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Had this for ages!
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Umm, the feeling is kinda mutual Thomas.
But Dougie, you didn't tell anyone... So it doesn't count.
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I love your writing*
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... even my irrelevant opening sentences?
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So I've never actually listened to anything by The Gaslight Anthem...
Fuck me there are too many bands/artists in this world lol.
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
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Had this for awhile as well. Their live version of Baba O'Riley is something else.
Digging: The Smith Street Band - No One Gets Lost Anymore Digging: The Smith Street Band - No One Gets Lost Anymore | | |
I had...THE GREATEST EXPECTATIONS...for this
=P
Digging: Every Time I Die - Ex Lives Digging: Every Time I Die - Ex Lives
| | | Album Rating: 4
Oh Irving, what's going on there? YouTube 'Great Expectations' now!
CTS, see my comment to Dougie.
Oy, I'm the only one who can make puns around here!
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There are too many bands in the world.
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