Review Summary: This is no '59 Sound, but there's a lot of value in this new direction taken by the band.
From the first time that I heard "The '59 Sound" I fell in love Brian Fallon's melodies and lyrics. This was rock n' roll done from the heart and done right. Fast forward a few years ‘till the release of “Handwritten” and, even I, as much fan as I was, couldn't deny that by that time The Gaslight Anthem were just playing safe in their comfort zone and some change was needed. The newly released "Get Hurt" is the result of such change.
In this effort to shake things up, the band decided to work with a different producer, so they recruited Mike Crossey to guide them. Crossey was responsible for the production of records from bands like Foals, Keane and, most recently, The 1975’s debut. All of this experience with the indie side of rock can be felt throughout some of Get Hurt’s 12 tracks, through the addition of some electronic elements and more sophisticated arrangements never before used by the band.
Though the change in direction was not radical (The Gaslight Anthem’s biggest influence still is Bruce Springsteen [just listen to the title track]), you can hear that Fallon & Co. decided to bring some new influences to the table this time around. ‘Stay Vicious’ first chords sound like something out of “Ten” from Pearl Jam and “Red Violins” reminds me a little of Modest Mouse.
Sonically, the band takes their foot of the gas and restrain their punk-er sound, making songs that sometimes hit hard, but often shift into mellower and pop-er kind of rock. These sudden shifts in vibe give the songs a dynamic feel that works rather well, especially in songs like the aforementioned “Stay Vicious” and its follow up “1,000 Years”, but where the album really shines is with its lyrics. Propelled by his recent divorce, Brian Fallon lays down some really personal and beautiful lyrics, most notably in the incredible ballad “Break Your Heart” a really simple, but emotional song that paves the way for the excellent “Dark Places” that closes the record.
Get Hurt’s biggest problem is that the track arrangement probably should’ve been better realized. The first 4 songs are incredible and burn a lot of energy from the get go, then the album loses traction, only to find it again by the end. I often find myself losing interest by the time “Helter Skeleton” starts spinning, only to find it again for the last two tracks on the album.
It doesn’t take much effort to understand that “Get Hurt” is Gaslight Anthem’s worst record to date, but only because it’s irregular. One must recognize and respect the band’s effort to change things up and sound fresh. Definitely a grower, I think that I will be visiting some of Get Hurt’s songs more and more as each days go by, but probably not as a whole, which is a first for me, regarding a Gaslight Anthem record.
Standout Tracks:
Stay Vicious
1,000 Years
Get Hurt
Break Your Heart
Dark Places
