when i originally heard of The Gaslight Anthem, almost two years ago, i wrote them off because they played punk music. i hadn't lived long enough to know that punk does not mean emo music. The Gaslight Anthem might work the warped tour mall-punk circuit, but they're not of it. instead, they belong to an older breed of punk band, one we don't see too much anymore: The Clash, The Replacements, and fellow Jersey knuckleheads Bouncing Souls. these bands might be emotional, but they're about a million miles removed from emo, especially in the way that term gets tossed around now. these are the guys who sing in full-throated groan-man bellows, who cover old country songs, who keep the hair-grease industry afloat.
The '59 Sound, the Gaslight Anthem's sophomore effort, comes steeped in retro signifiers: pinball, Audrey Hepburn pearls, your hightop sneakers and your sailor tattoos. the quiet-to-loud dynamics aren't forced, the ooh-ooh backing sighs trickle in at the exact right moments and the church bells on the title track sound like god. these songs are simple, mostly, but they're executed perfectly. Brian Fallon, lead singer, and guitarist Alex Rosamilia do this thing, mostly on the quiet bits, where their guitars wrap twinkly harmonies around each other, getting loose and intricate without being showy about it. and when the guitars turn into chorus-firepower, it just kills because it's been so long since we've heard anyone pull that off with such panache. if you've got even a tiny bit of a soft spot for that bruised-growl retro-punk, The '59 Sound is an answer to a prayer. The Gaslight Anthem's third album American Slang hits stores this Tuesday. don't miss out.
The '59 Sound, the Gaslight Anthem's sophomore effort, comes steeped in retro signifiers: pinball, Audrey Hepburn pearls, your hightop sneakers and your sailor tattoos. the quiet-to-loud dynamics aren't forced, the ooh-ooh backing sighs trickle in at the exact right moments and the church bells on the title track sound like god. these songs are simple, mostly, but they're executed perfectly. Brian Fallon, lead singer, and guitarist Alex Rosamilia do this thing, mostly on the quiet bits, where their guitars wrap twinkly harmonies around each other, getting loose and intricate without being showy about it. and when the guitars turn into chorus-firepower, it just kills because it's been so long since we've heard anyone pull that off with such panache. if you've got even a tiny bit of a soft spot for that bruised-growl retro-punk, The '59 Sound is an answer to a prayer. The Gaslight Anthem's third album American Slang hits stores this Tuesday. don't miss out.
