Review Summary: Heart-felt vocals, raw emotion, infectious punk melody and a new spin on a classic sound
When one can listen to an album hundreds of times and it still sounds as good as the very first listen, Then that is a true accomplishment for any artist. In 2008 “The Gaslight Anthem” did just that with “The 59 Sound”. Imagine if Bruce Springsteen fronted Social Distortion. Well, that would sound similar to “The Gaslight Anthem”. While The band get’s many Springsteen Comparisons, they have developed their very own, classic sound.
Front-man/ guitarist Brian Fallon’s vocal style may be where the Springsteen comparisons come from. His vocals are gritty, soulful and delivered with passion much like that of “The Boss”.You can hear an awful lot of Springsteen but also a bit Joe Strummer or Mike Ness. Unlike Springsteen, Fallon Delivers his vocals in an authentic punk-rock style. You can hear just what he is feeling when he sings. Chances are you may be feeling the same thing or have at some point.
For me, it is Fallon’s vocals that make the album. The melodic punk sound of the guitars and the fiercely rhythmic percussion are just the perfect backdrop. This album does not really fit into one particular genre as you get bits of soul,classic rock, emo, punk, motown etc. That's a good thing because it could attract a wider audience.
The song's subjects focus on Love, Lust, Loss, hurt ,fun and many other topics that showcase what it means to be alive. Fallon is true a story-teller at the core. Most of his song’s are in fact in story format. He has a wonderful way of drawing you into the song within the first few lines.
Example
“So the ambulances came
They took your pulse and packed up your things
And the papers read
Some boys forget what the heartache brings”
Like Springsteen you also have stories of girls, cars and ferris-wheels. You get sort of 1960’s feel throughout the album and in this case it works well.
Let’s not forget: At the time of the release the punk scene was heavily occupied by pop-punk such as “Forever the Sickest Kids” or “The Academy” so this album was sort of a breath of fresh air. It stood-out as a unique album for the time period but in reality was really just a new spin on a classic sound.
Must Hear Tracks
Great Expectations
59 Sound
High Lonesome
Film Noir
Casanova,Baby!
