Thursday, March 19, 2009

May I cautiously recommend...The Gaslight Anthem?



...there's another video at the band's website. Someone described them (I paraphrase) as Springsteen if he'd got Hungry Heart recorded by The Ramones. The album (The 59 Sound)I have learned to love, but I had to get beyond the Springsteen references, (music and lyrics) not to mention quotes from actual Boss songs. They do come from New Jersey. Painstaking and wholly admirable choice of guitars, if I may say so. Especially that Les Paul Junior. Or is it a Melody Maker? I'm never sure.

In the end, The Glasight Anthem thing works because it's done with such passion and panache. I know, I said this about The Hold Steady...Anyway. They're supporting Springsteen at Hyde Park and they'll be doing their own gig at T in the Park. See what you think. There's more on YouTube.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

In recent years no shortage of bands have been striving to recreate the Springsteen style of big music, from the Avett Brothers and the Hold Steady to Gaslight Anthem and the Killers. I think theyt are all good and by no stretch just a copy. Gaslight have also quoted Strummer as a huge influence.

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of douche bags.

Anonymous said...

What!! Who! Everyone I suggested or just Gaslight Anthem.....wait not the raders of the Beatcroft I hope!

Someone Said said...

I've heard so many compare this band to Springsteen. They sound more like the Replacements to me.

Tom Morton said...

They only sound like the thin white rock aspect of the E-Street Band. There's no R&B there to speak of. But they're much sprightlier than The Replacements, who were always too lumbered by dope and sounded perpetually knackered.

It's the lyrics that need de-Brucified: Mary's in the back seats of burnt out cars, there's no surrender, no retreat, and Brian Fallon's always waking up with the sheets soaking wet, dreaming of a house up in Fairview, in a style she's trying to maintain...

Right, get me my third vinyl copy of Darkness on the Edge of Town...

Anonymous said...

Tom - you are absolutely right! I forgot to add Grand Drive to my list! As for Darkness it will never be matched but keep your cash till the long promised re-issue comes out!

Douche bags indeed!