American Slang
The Gaslight Anthem
New Jersey quartet The Gaslight Anthem would be the first to admit that they share more than a home state with Bruce Springsteen. However, there’s nothing wrong with being heavily influenced by another artist so long as you still have something of your own to bring to the table, and on 2008’s superb breakthrough The ’59 Sound, The Gaslight Anthem did indeed bring something.
While frontman Brian Fallon’s rugged but sensitive vocals and wordy blue-collar lyricism may have seemed familiar, the fact is that these guys were punks, something that Springsteen never, ever was. Sure, the music was anthemic, but the mix was rattling, rough, raw and thrilling.
Despite coming in shy of 35 minutes and retaining the services of ’59 Sound producer Ted Hutt, American Slang is an altogether cleaner-sounding affair than its predecessor. As such it’s not so much a bad record as a weirdly redundant one: four talented, passionate musicians do a perfectly reasonable job of making a record that sounds a good deal like vintage Springsteen, but fail to really leave their own mark on the music.
The opening title track is heroic, energetic and hopelessly derivative: “I got your name tattooed inside of my arm,” grunts Fallon, manfully, over a selection of backing hollers and coos that sound so similar to any given E Street Band affair that it makes you simultaneously want to punch the air and slap your forehead. It’s a nice song, but classic rock rather than punk and does nothing to transcend or build upon on its glaringly obvious influences. Where The ’59 Sound had a wired mania Springsteen never possessed, listening to American Slang feels a bit pointless when you could whack on Darkness on the Edge of Town instead.
It’s not total homage: the scrappy chant that ushers in the lithe Boxer is great fun, as is the swingin’ The Diamond Church Street Choir. The guitars do hit harder than Springsteen’s, and at the end of the day Fallon has a nice turn of phrase and a great way with a melody. Maybe if this was the first we’d heard of The Gaslight Anthem that would all be enough, but after The ’59 Sound, this feels like a regression.
Reviewed by Steve Muscutt
This is my favorite Bruce Springsteen album. [2]
How can people love The '59 Sound yet call this crap? This is different, but not that different. Both releases are totally awesome, and there is literally not one bad song on here, just like T59S. May be controversial but I think Sink or Swim is their lowest quality release, which says a lot because even that's great.
This album took me a while to get into. At first, I wasn't too thrilled about it. Now, I can't even imagine what life would be like without having heard such a beautiful masterpiece from start to finish.
yet again. huge springsteen influence.
Better than The '59 Sound!
had to listen to it a few times, but now I love it :D
This is my favorite Bruce Springsteen album.
first half is awesome but the rest is just ok.
Listened to the '59 Sound at release and didn't like it. Just bought this now on a whim and I absolutely love it. Could be that I have better taste now than I had then though...
first i prefered the 59' sound - but after some time this one simply got me ;)
i got bored of this album after 617 plays. i prefer the other albums now
This is my favourite. It's a 2010 album but it already has a nostalgic value for me. Last summer was great
I can see why it's considered a grower, but I liked it from my first listen. The '59 Sound is my favorite album ever, but the songs on American Slang also sound very complete and confident, almost elegant. Gaslight can do no wrong.
really dislike this album, but all the people on here saying it's a grower have convinced me to give it a few more spins. thanks guys =)
A grower? This album is everything 59 Sound wasn't (Although 59 Sound was an INCREDIBLE album). This really grows on that, and American Slang for me has been an instant hit, it's like they made this album with a lot more confidence and they've written some genius songs.
they worse album =/ but still a great band :D
You don't think this record is good? I disagree, I personally think it's their best yet.
Yep I would have to agree, it does grow on you i think its the beats and lyrics from there other albums! best place ive seen them was with my sister in Boston in the Middle East Barthat was 3 years ago now, rock on stage!!! Come on Rock City :D
The '59 Sound is so much better. Sadly this is not very good. :(
I love that this is available here
Excellent.
http://onlymusicinmylife.com/
This is such a grower, I thought this album sucked on first listen but now I love it!
American Slang, best album so far this year. Awsome band and ditto songs!
Absolute classic! Best album I've heard in years. We'll be talking about this one for a long time!
Album of the year so far... can't stop playing it!
we did it when we were young!!! =)
'Stay Lucky' is a great song, built for endless radio play.
awesome album! So amazing :D incredible ^^ out of 10 songs, 8 were added to my fav.songs here on last.fm :) that even suprised myself :) pity that the album is kinda "short"... at least as far as I'm concerned ... BUT! Quality > Quantity :) so that's fine by me ^^
Great Album!!!
I love it!
Growers could be, that ghost of Boss of course there and yeah guitarsound is too light, but im an methulhead for over 20years now..
Agree with all the 'growers', didn't click at first, but it's making it's way there
just got it. will listen on the way home. hopefully Rock hard.
listening to it again and again :)
The new album is different but very good too.
Mint, completely different from the other albums.
Took a good few listens but this has clicked with me now, some real gems on here.
First impression: Nice, but still the first one's best! Looking forward to see'm live on saturday!
fuckin' awesome
The band that gaslight anthem has to be
Right on!
HELL YES! i've been waiting 2 LONG years for this!
Awesome......
great album
Stoked for pre ordering this.