Many listeners saw hope on the horizon of American rock music after hearing The Gaslight Anthem just a few short years ago. But before putting Brian Fallon and the New Jersey boys at the helm, they may want to give the band's newest record, American Slang, a listen.
On their debut LP, Sink Or Swim, the sound that was created was a relatively unique one, melding characteristics of mid-90s post-punk with an utterly American Jersey-rock tone. With its sophomore effort, The '59 Sound, the band was able to fashion virtually flawless anachronism in what was surely an effort to emulate Springsteen and their hometown heroes.
But this antiquation that made The '59 Sound so attractive is exactly what pulls American Slang down. The hero worship that inspired the previous album has turned into an irritating brand of self-imitation.
There are moments worth digesting strewn about the record. The runaway guitar that leads the way through the rockabilly Stay Lucky is impressive. The double tracked, multi-octave vocal on We Did It When We Were Young helps to create the somber atmosphere warranted by the songs lyrics.
But all in all, this record is a bore.
Though only a short way into their career, the whirlwind of critical praise that has swept up the band unfortunately puts every bit of effort they make on the cutting board ripe for merciless media scrutiny. The Gaslight Anthem has unwillingly put itself in rock purgatory until it decides which direction its sound is going.
With their innate ability to write hometown jams expressing every emotion conceivable within the city limits of the small town consciousness, combined with their knowledge of everything Springsteen, the band has two open options to pursue for its place in history.
It can continue to produce gramophonic records like The '59 Sound, dripping with nostalgia for a happier time, and have a thrilled culture look at them as the unanticipated East Street descendents.
Or it can keep producing some good singles with more okay records. Though far less attractive in the moral sense, Plan B still gives them security for decades to come. Produce enough random good tracks and it won't matter how many mediocre records come with it - you can tour America's great landscapes forever (sorry to insult your formula, Tom Petty).
3 Culture
Andy Collier
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