The Gaslight Anthem - ‘american slang’
June 23rd 2010 08:47
Is it too cliched to say this is quite the possibly the most anticipated release of the year? But I suppose I am a massive fan so for me it has been. Two months ago the band released online the title track and lead single ‘American Slang’ and I’m pretty sure I’ve listened to it a thousand times already waiting for this very day. The day the album was available. And like a school girl at a Justin Bieber concert, I couldn’t be more excited.
The Gaslight Anthem wear their hearts and influences on their sleeves. They’ve never hid away from their love of Bruce Springsteen and this album has the Boss’s trademark sound all over it. Expanding and progressing from ‘The ’59 Sound’ the band move towards old rock n roll mixed with folk sediments. The punk influences have faded with maturity and the band have settled into a sound that is most suitable for Brian’s voice and lyrics. Alex’s guitar work weaves around the words telling it’s own story and is the key to The Gaslight Anthems sound.
Opening with ‘American Slang’, a tale of learning from your father but never having the chance to tell him how influenced you were by him. The track is very much in vein of “The ’59 Sound” record. It’s catchy as all hell and kicks off the album perfectly. A habit they have developed successfully. ‘Stay Lucky’ is a reflective tale of youth, which becomes the central theme to the whole album. A fast paced number with a sing along chorus. ‘Bring It On’ slows it down telling the tale of a past love with reference to Miles Davis again. (see ‘Miles Davis & The Cool’ from “The ’59 Sound”) ‘Diamond Church Street Choir’ is a finger clicking smooth jazz number that could be sung from any seedy jazz club in New York in the 50’s and 60’s. ‘Queen Of Lower Chelsea’ again reflects on the characters youth and the hardships of the working class. The guitar riff reminding me of The Clash, another influence on the band.
‘Orphans’ and ‘Boxer’ will please fans of the first album “Sink Or Swim”, rock n’ roll anthems with gang style backing vocals, with ‘Boxer’ sure to be a great live song. ‘Old Haunts’ returns to reflective tone of youth and growing up. Brian sings “don’t sing songs of the good times/sometimes you should just let them go”. ‘The Spirit Of Jazz’ is another anthem of youth and past love set to the background of New Jersey. Closing track is almost gospel in sound. ‘We Did It When We Were Young’ really sum up the theme of this record, remember the past as it’s shaped the future but don’t let it hold you back.
Brian’s lyrics are often repetitive with theme. And while the famed character Maria is not present on this album, there is still the pop culture references that sneak in, even dropping a reference from their own song ‘Here’s Looking At You, Kid’ with the line “they cut me to ribbons”. This album seems to be a bit more personal than other releases. Musically, you cannot fault the band. The rhythm section lay the foundation for Alex’s guitar work and Brian’s vocal range has extended even more compared to the last album. Sure, some people will be on the message boards and forums criticizing this album. It always happens now days, but despite the fact I am a fan, this is another great album from one of the best bands to come around in last few years.
The Gaslight Anthem wear their hearts and influences on their sleeves. They’ve never hid away from their love of Bruce Springsteen and this album has the Boss’s trademark sound all over it. Expanding and progressing from ‘The ’59 Sound’ the band move towards old rock n roll mixed with folk sediments. The punk influences have faded with maturity and the band have settled into a sound that is most suitable for Brian’s voice and lyrics. Alex’s guitar work weaves around the words telling it’s own story and is the key to The Gaslight Anthems sound.
Opening with ‘American Slang’, a tale of learning from your father but never having the chance to tell him how influenced you were by him. The track is very much in vein of “The ’59 Sound” record. It’s catchy as all hell and kicks off the album perfectly. A habit they have developed successfully. ‘Stay Lucky’ is a reflective tale of youth, which becomes the central theme to the whole album. A fast paced number with a sing along chorus. ‘Bring It On’ slows it down telling the tale of a past love with reference to Miles Davis again. (see ‘Miles Davis & The Cool’ from “The ’59 Sound”) ‘Diamond Church Street Choir’ is a finger clicking smooth jazz number that could be sung from any seedy jazz club in New York in the 50’s and 60’s. ‘Queen Of Lower Chelsea’ again reflects on the characters youth and the hardships of the working class. The guitar riff reminding me of The Clash, another influence on the band.
‘Orphans’ and ‘Boxer’ will please fans of the first album “Sink Or Swim”, rock n’ roll anthems with gang style backing vocals, with ‘Boxer’ sure to be a great live song. ‘Old Haunts’ returns to reflective tone of youth and growing up. Brian sings “don’t sing songs of the good times/sometimes you should just let them go”. ‘The Spirit Of Jazz’ is another anthem of youth and past love set to the background of New Jersey. Closing track is almost gospel in sound. ‘We Did It When We Were Young’ really sum up the theme of this record, remember the past as it’s shaped the future but don’t let it hold you back.
Brian’s lyrics are often repetitive with theme. And while the famed character Maria is not present on this album, there is still the pop culture references that sneak in, even dropping a reference from their own song ‘Here’s Looking At You, Kid’ with the line “they cut me to ribbons”. This album seems to be a bit more personal than other releases. Musically, you cannot fault the band. The rhythm section lay the foundation for Alex’s guitar work and Brian’s vocal range has extended even more compared to the last album. Sure, some people will be on the message boards and forums criticizing this album. It always happens now days, but despite the fact I am a fan, this is another great album from one of the best bands to come around in last few years.
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