I've been a fan of Gaslight Anthem since the release of the 59 Sound in 2008. It's the kind of musical quality I listen to and think 'why isn't this band huge?'. It's very different to the usual music you hear in the charts. It's the kind of music which has been finely crafted and not shunted out by the record company to make a quick buck.
Of course the Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty comparisons will be in thick and fast. But it's more than that. The sound varies greatly, from the loud stadium rock of American Slang to the sincere soul inspired ballad of We Did It When We Were Young. The lyrics tell a story, which is what Brian Fallon is an expert at. It's more than just a song about love and loss, It's clearly from past experiences. Which are what work best.
Other stand out songs include Boxer with an extremely catchy chiming bass line and guitar riff. And the upbeat feel good song Diamond Church Street Choir which show Gaslight Anthem have not strayed from their roots. The post punk sound such as Old Haunts and the fast paced punk sound of Orphans offer variety. Which manages to expand on their previous album.
Through the years their music has matured and become better and better. I thought it was difficult to top the 59 Sound, but this album is as good as, if not better. fans of the Gaslight Anthem will adore this album like I do. If your not a fan of the Gaslight Anthem, I feel sorry for you. You're missing out on pure quality.
Recently I've been under the impression that music is more about business. Companies find a someone who can sing, give them a song and watch as they bring in millions and millions. This is the opposite, It's excellent song writing talent coupled with a sense of ambition. To me their's nothing else quite like this band around at the moment.