Customer Reviews

American Slang

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had never heard this band before this release and didn't really expect much. The nuevo-punk name, image, etc made me think it would be lame, warped-tour pop-punk, but that just goes to show that you shouldn't judge a band by their fedoras and tattoos. This is an amazingly good punk rock record that wears its influences proudly on its sleeve and doesn't add anything new to the mix, but does it all extremely well. There's a lot of Springsteen worship on here, and sometimes it feels like a love letter to the Boss, but I also hear The Clash, Thin Lizzy, The Jam, Van Morrison (who was also influential to Springsteen), Against Me, Lucero, The Dropkick Murphies, Lifetime, and Ted Leo. It's anthemic and polished and radio-friendly, but probably won't be on the radio; it will be on some pub jukeboxes, I'm hoping. Lyrically I find it surprisingly adept; the lyricist has a real gift for not overworking a line, and some of the songs really have a heavy chop. Even when the lyrics evoke the band's influences, like a Springsteen-esque dismissal of nostalgia or a song Clash-y enough to actually mention a tommy gun, they still manage to sound fresh. The music tends to involve a lot of choruses and is so super catchy I found myself singing along as soon as the second listen. It's got that whole East Coast blue collar thing, but isn't corny about it like (say) the afforementioned Dropkick Murphies. If anything I just mentioned to you sounded good, I really think you need to check this out. It's one of the best new punk records I've heard in years.

It's hard to find quality Rock N' Roll nowadays, but if The Gaslight Anthem proved anything on their sophomore album, it was that it could still be done. Revisiting it again, it's still as classic and good as the day it came out. Mixing punk & rock influenced by Tom Petty & Bruce Springsteen, The Gaslight Anthem could have been happy in the sound they carved out for themselves. But no, The Gaslight Anthem instead drops most of the punk, and becomes a full on rock band. The results? As Brian Fallon sings at one point, "Who does it better than we do?"

Highlights Include:
American Slang
Bring It On
The Diamond Church Street Choir
The Queen of Lower Chelsea

The only thing that's changed for the band really is the music. They still can craft a great song with excellent lyrics, Brian Fallon can still burn out a note like it's nobody's business, and they can still crank out a memorable hook when needed for a song. So for the music, as Brian Fallon, they've moved away from the 59' inspired sound, and moved on along the rock timeline. This time, they've moved closer to their influences. I could honestly see/hear Bruce Springsteen singing half this album. It has his lyrical sense, it's grandiose feel, and his musical sensibilities. But, The Gaslight Anthem doesn't try to copy it, but rather, pay homage to it. The album is also a lot tighter sound-wise. While you had ballad-type songs, punk-type songs, and general rockers on their last album, it sticks mostly to the rockers. The closest the album gets to slowing down is "We Did It When We Were Young," but it's not as much slow, as it is emphasizing the vocals & the lyrics with a more minimalistic approach for most of the song.

Overall, listening to this album over 5 times now, I can safely say it gets better with each listen. Each song is an all-American story set to the beat of a great rock tune. It may be a short album, but it's a solid one. Maybe not as classic as its predecessor, but it's every bit as good, in a different way. One could say that they're trying too hard, but it is working. If anything, American Slang is proof you can still find Salvation by the radio.

I've purchased some terrific albums this year: New Pornographers, Hold Steady, Drive By Truckers and more... But American Slang is start-to-finish the best I've heard all year. Do yourself a favor, check it out and get it. Amazing rock and roll.

I've followed Gaslight Anthem since they were unknowns. Watched them play in all sorts of dives in the NY area. Next month I'm going to see them again, at Radio City!

I thought "The 59 Sound" was outstanding, this is actually better. I love every song. When a band I like comes out with an album I've been waiting for, I'm usually prepared to be disappointed. With this album, I'm just happy. Happy to see some normal guys from Jersey make an outstanding album!

American Slang is a great record by a great band.
In no way is it disappointing at all when compared to The Gaslight Anthem's previous two albums.
American Slang has much in common with Sink or Swim and The 59 Sound; nothing dramatically different musically or lyrically. This is a good thing though, because The Gaslight Anthem really hit the spot with their style and are as close to perfect as they can get.

Maybe I haven't listened to American Slang enough, but the only non-positive comment I have about this album is that there are no songs that really stick out. I haven't found a single song that is just perfect on this album like Film Noir and Ida Called You Woody, Joe.

Overall, American Slang is a great album. I would definitely recommend it.
If American Slang was the first thing you heard from The Gaslight Anthem, I would definitely check out Sink or Swim and The 59 Sound, both slightly better albums I think.

I was very impressed the first time I heard the Gaslight Anthem and their The 59 Sound album when it first came out. I had that album playing at least once a day for almost 2 months straight when I first bought it. It was just exciting to hear a fresh new rock and roll band that reminded me of great rock bands from the past, but in their own way kept it fresh and new. These guys are talented song writers and they didn't disappoint me with the new American Slang album. They seem like they have progressed on their song writing abilities while still taking some things here and there from their inspirations (Springsteen, The Clash). The lyrics have matured a little more too. This was definitely a step forward for this band as far as progressing their sound goes, but still keeping a lot of what I loved about the 59 sound. I think The 59 Sound was a little easier to grab a hold of quicker and a had some better choruses throughout the whole album, but that shouldn't take anything away from this album. It will keep you interested for awhile and brings a little something new to the Gaslight Anthem sound not to mention it has some pretty rocking songs on it. It's simple, if you enjoyed The 59 Sound you will surely like this album, if you have never heard these guys before, if you enjoy good old American Rock and Roll with hints of blues and punk chances are pretty good you will like these guys.

Personal favorites for me on this album: American Slang, The Diamond Church Street Choir, The Queen of Lower Chelsea, Orphans, and Boxer.

I'm really impressed with this effort from Gaslight Anthem. It's hard to discover good rock music nowadays but it feels good to know that I've found GA, and hopefully they'll be making quality music like this for a long time. I've listened to this CD more than 5 times and it just keeps getting better.

Once again, The Gaslight Anthem creates a flawless album that begs to be listened to again and again. The '59 Sound made GA my NEW favorite band and American Slang made them my favorite band period. Admittedly, I held off on doing a review b/c after my first listen to the album, I was slightly disappointed. The '59 Sound caught my attention and heart strings immediately. But I held off b/c I had a feeling that my great expectations (pun intended) were getting in the way of how the album truly was. And after repeated listens, I am hooked. Going away from the 50's inspired sound that weaved together punk and Americana, American Slang weaves motown with punk and Americana. It makes for an interesting hybrid and GA pulls it off to perfection. The storytelling and big choruses abound and one immediately relates to the tales of heartbreak, growing up, redemption, and love and lost love. Fallon has the gift for pulling you into the song and feeling what he is feeling. American Slang is just another example that there is still hope for American music. For me, standout tracks include American Slang, Bring It On, The Diamond Church Street Choir, The Queen Of Lower Chelsea, Orphans, and Old Haunts. But as usual with GA, there are no bad tracks. This is a great step forward for Gaslight Anthem and I am anxiously awaiting whatever they do next.

I have been a huge, massive Gaslight fan for a few years now. Their sound run fairly Springsteen-punkish I like to say, with a litany of references (in sound or lyric) to everything from 50's R&B to the Cure. But American Slang has a different feel entirely. It honestly took me a few listens to get used to but once I did, I have grown to appreciate the variety that Gaslight can produce. Think of the sound difference (another Springsteen reference I know) but to the sound of The Boss from the 70's into the 80's. He changed. Gaslight is starting to show a musical range that surpasses most bands from modern music's ability to even comprehend. If you like Gaslight, grab American Slang! You won't be disappointed!

The latest from The Gaslight Anthem, "American Slang" (SideOneDummy Records), is set for release in the U.S. and Canada on June 15th, and around the world that same week. Produced by Ted Hutt (who produced the band's acclaimed second album, "The '59 Sound", "American Slang" heralds a dramatic leap forward for The Gaslight Anthem.

The Gaslight Anthem is Brian Fallon (vocals/rhythm guitar), Alex Rosamilia (guitar), Ben Horowitz (drums) and Alex Levine (bass). This band from New Brunswick, New Jersey have built a solid fan base already and are poised to breakout worldwide with "American Slang".

"American Slang" wastes no time reaching into your heart and grabbing your attention. The first three tunes, which include the title track, "Stay Lucky", and "Bring It On", are modern rock perfection with big chorus hooks, compelling lyrics, and driving instrumentation. Fallon's voice has just enough scratch and howl to be convincing as a rock and roll purist, but not so much that he would scare pop rock fans away - think Bruce Springsteen if he were a punk rocker. The band's punk influence is clearly evident in the punchy guitars, Fallon's occasional snarl, and the band's emo-styled harmonies, but I would not call them a punk band. "American Slang" is straight-up modern rock for the smart music fan. Additional highlights on the record include the driving anthem "Orphans", the insightful "Old Haunts", and "The Spirit Of Jazz".

Gaslight Anthem has burned the midnight oil on this one - their music is alive and kicking, boisterous yet reflective. The band's contagious energy simply bursts out of their music. The first single off the album, the title track "American Slang," is currently streaming on the band's Facebook and MySpace pages.

Best tracks: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9
Bill's Music Forum review