Rating: NNNN
The entire indie rock world’s seemingly in love with Bruce Springsteen at the moment, so it’s about time punk got in on the action. To Gaslight Anthem’s credit, they’re actually from New Jersey, which they reference frequently, and look like they drive pickups and work in scrapyards, so they must be the real deal.
It even sounds like producer Ted Hutt tried to mimic Jon Landau’s production, since singer Brian Fallon sounds like he’s singing through vintage mics. It works incredibly well, though, as Gaslight earnestly blast through 12 tracks of melodic punk that recall fellow Jersey punks Bouncing Souls and Florida emo gods Hot Water Music. (Chris Wollard adds some gruff backups on The Patient Ferris Wheel.) The Boss, a noted Against Me! fan, should really hear this.
Gaslight Anthem take over Sound Academy Friday (October 3).
