The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten

Xavi6

Just over a month to go for the 2012 album I'm most excited about.

Three superb records behind them so hopefully they continue that trend, and the first single "45" fills me with confidence -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oST77VRHXt0

Temaz

Excellent band, loved American Slang.

SilverScreen

I loved The '59 Sound and American Slang wasn't too bad either. The new single has me pretty excited now for the new album.

theteal

I can't wait for this, I'm just gutted I missed the gig in koko last Monday because I decided to come back to dublin to watch the soccer with the lads. . .best decision ever!

Dinner

Really looking forward to this. Here's a video on the making of the album as well as clips from Handwritten, Here Comes My Man and Too Much Blood.

theteal

Tickets for the Brixton gig in the bag

FortuneChip

Haven't listened to these in a while, sounds great!

littlebows

Love these guys, hope they come to Dublin soon!

Prettyblack

I'll get it as I really liked American Slang, but don't you think the songs are sounding a little similar now?

I mean, I like 45 - it sounds like a GLA song - but it does use those same four chords. I'm interested to see if there's anything different in the album, or if there's something like the "Elsie" material by the Horrible Crows.

part time punk

Prettyblack wrote: »

I'll get it as I really liked American Slang, but don't you think the songs are sounding a little similar now?

+1 .. saw them in the Olympia maybe about 18 months ago and felt this. seemed more noticeable in concert than on cd.

Prettyblack

I'd say they are good live though! (never seen them - and would probably go if they were playing)

littlebows

Saw them in the Olympia in 2010, they were amazing live! Noticed they have announced some UK gigs, no mention of Dublin yet.

Sarah_12

I didn't realise they were releasing a new album! Very exciting! I saw them play in The Academy a few years ago, i went not really knowing much of their stuff and I loved them, they are amazing live, hopefully they come again soon, that'd definitely be a gig worth investing in!

Xavi6

Prettyblack wrote: »

I'll get it as I really liked American Slang, but don't you think the songs are sounding a little similar now?

I mean, I like 45 - it sounds like a GLA song - but it does use those same four chords. I'm interested to see if there's anything different in the album, or if there's something like the "Elsie" material by the Horrible Crows.

I don't think it's just 'now' that they're sounding a little similar, they always have, but for me that's one of the best things about The Gaslight Anthem. They have a fantastic knack for writing a catchy, proper rock song and they stick to it unlike a lot of other bands who chop and change. If it ain't broke etc.

I love The Horrible Crowes album but can only assume that Fallon wants to keep The Gaslight Anthem as The Gaslight Anthem, which is perfectly fine by me.

Plus, as long as they throw in the "We Did It When We Were Young" there's enough diversity to keep me happy.

TheWraith

Really can't wait for this album, saw them in Koko a few weeks ago, one of the best gigs I've ever been to!

theteal

TheWraith wrote: »

Really can't wait for this album, saw them in Koko a few weeks ago, one of the best gigs I've ever been to!

i hate you :mad:

ghostdancer

BF was on Phantom FM a few weeks ago and said they'd be playing Dublin later in the year.

really looking forward to Handwritten, 45 is a belter of a song

Vokes

Very much looking forward to the upcoming album. Heading to the Brixton gig in Oct too!

Temaz

7/10 in this months Uncut magazine.

ghostdancer

6 track previews here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/thegaslightanthem

flyswatter

Xavi6 wrote: »

I don't think it's just 'now' that they're sounding a little similar, they always have, but for me that's one of the best things about The Gaslight Anthem. They have a fantastic knack for writing a catchy, proper rock song and they stick to it unlike a lot of other bands who chop and change. If it ain't broke etc.

I love The Horrible Crowes album but can only assume that Fallon wants to keep The Gaslight Anthem as The Gaslight Anthem, which is perfectly fine by me.

Plus, as long as they throw in the "We Did It When We Were Young" there's enough diversity to keep me happy.

There's always two ways of looking at things, many would criticize a band for that as it kind of displays a lack of inventive creativity or any real progression.

On the other hand, a lot of fans won't complain if they just stick to writing the same type of songs as long as they are at least half decent.

MightyMighty737

It's streaming online from tonight.

Only a few songs in but I'm surprised by how good it is. The only album I liked of theirs right from the start was SoS. I like American Slang now, but I don't think T59S had any longevity about it. The reverb on that album is extremely annoying.

ghostdancer

link to the stream:
http://www.npr.org/2012/07/10/156551726/first-listen-the-gaslight-anthem-handwritten

Xavi6

Just gave it a first listen and it's solid, not outstanding, but then again American Slang took ages to grow on me.

Howl is a superb song and probably as close to a typical Gaslight song as you'll get, along with 45.

I'm sure by the time my pre-order arrives next week I'll love it.

ghostdancer

National Anthem and Desire are my favourites i think, will probably change after i give it another listen though :pac:
excellent album overall though.

Dinner

National Anthem is easily one of the best songs they've done.

Mulholland Drive and Mae are fantastic as well

Xavi6

Yeah Mulholland Drive is now my favourite, cracking song. Followed by Handwritten and National Anthem.

It really is a superb album after a few listens.

Xavi6

Got my preordered copy this morning via iTunes

The bonus cover of Nirvana's Sliver is brilliant!

theteal

I imagine it's out in Ireland today? UK releases are always the Monday. . .why did I move here?!?!?! :mad:

ghostdancer

it used to be Fridays here, and Monday in the UK anyway. don't know if that's still the case.
going to go to the local music shop at lunch but i doubt they'll have it anyway.

Dinner

I got mine last night too.

I'm not mad on Sliver though. I would have prefered something else. The version of You Got Lucky is very good though.

I love Blue Dahlia. It seems a strange one, at times it wants to be really fast but then seems like it wants to slow right down.

theteal

i'm going to get this one from amazon on monday. i like extra tracks. the wait is killing me though

theteal

Savage price on that link in my previous post. Deluxe edition is cheaper than the standard on amazon Great album and I'm sure it'll grow on me more. Happy days!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Got the deluxe edition today. Really like Mulholland Drive and National Anthem.

HMV have a few of their old ones on 2 for €12 if anyone needs to complete their collection.

Turtyturd

Finally got it and about to give it listen. A big fan of all their stuff but hopefully this is a bit closer to Sink or Swim than the last two albums.

Temaz

I am in love with this band!!

theteal

Turtyturd wrote: »

Finally got it and about to give it listen. A big fan of all their stuff but hopefully this is a bit closer to Sink or Swim than the last two albums.

it's really not. i hate to say but i'm having a very hard time liking some of the songs. songs 1-3 are savage, i would nearly go as far to say as i hate the 4th song. the rest has it's ups and downs if a little over-produced

i'm hoping it'll grow on me more as i am a big fan

Turtyturd

theteal wrote: »

it's really not. i hate to say but i'm having a very hard time liking some of the songs. songs 1-3 are savage, i would nearly go as far to say as i hate the 4th song. the rest has it's ups and downs if a little over-produced

i'm hoping it'll grow on me more as i am a big fan

Yeah Sink or Swim it aint, 1930 is probably my favourite GLA song and this lacks anything like that, Howl probably being the closest. It seems like a continuation of American Slang, although even that had up tempo songs like Orphans.

I think the album will grow on me as American Slang did, '45' is the 59 Sound/American Slang of the album, the only song that a lot of people will know when they go on tour. 'Keepsake' for me is easily the strongest track on the album, closely followed by 'Handwritten' Don't care too much for 'Here comes my man'. 'Too much Blood' is another stand out, and is very similar to a Horrible Crowes track. 'National Anthem' is a good track although with a few dodgy lyrics.

It will take a couple of more listens before I make up my mind, although I really want to like it.:pac:

Dinner

They did say all along that if you were expecting it to sound like Sink or Swim or even the other two that you'd be disappointed. I think I remember reading that with American Slang they felt that they'd found 'their sound' so it was always going to be built more on that than Sink or Swim.

As for the record itself, I really like it. It has some outstanding songs that are up there with the best they've done like Mae, Mulholland Drive, Howl and National Anthem. Some songs like Keepsake and Too Much Blood did take a bit longer to grow on me and I think it will be the same with Desire too.

But for me at least, the song that steals the show isnt even on the record itself. Blue Dahlia has become one of my favourite all time TGA songs. In a small way that worries me. My favourite song on American Slang was She Loves You which was a bonus track too. Now we have Handwritten where my favourite song is Blue Dahlia. I can't help but wonder what other gold had been cut from past albums...

Xavi6

The album has grown on me massively over the past few weeks, overall I think it's brilliant. Mulholland Drive is still the standout but Here Comes My Man is a highlight for me too with the way it's written from a female perspective.

As said, 45 is the Amercian Slang/59 Sound of this record and it definitely stands up to them in terms of quality. Handwritten is along the same lines really and is just as good imo.

I heard Biloxi Parish live about 18 months ago and thought it was good, and the final album version is great as well.

Yesterday I played all four albums through one after the other and didn't even think about skipping a song. Just a consistently excellent band.

hynesie08

I really want to love this album, I think the songs are some of their strongest and the album sounds brilliant but it just hasn't grabbed me the way 59/as did. I think I may need to hear the songs live or give it a week off to truly get it but still a really good album.

ReacherCreature

I was a bit 'meh' about the album on the first time around but I sat down and gave it a proper listen and now I'm loving it. I've played it through about six or seven times and it's just really good. One or two songs I wouldn't be mad about but it's rare for me to play an album the whole way through.

Don't understand the dislike for Here Comes My Man. It's a fun song.

When I'm finished Handwritten, I listen to Live at Park Ave, then onto American Slang and over to The '59 Sound. I really cannot get into their first album at all. Nevertheless, cracking band and they deserve much more exposure.

hynesie08

hynesie08 wrote: »

I think I may need to hear the songs live

Watched their lollapalooza set, listened to the album again. I'm in love.

Temaz

National Anthem is the stand out track for me.

ghostdancer

hynesie08 wrote: »

Watched their lollapalooza set, listened to the album again. I'm in love.

here's the set for anyone who hasn't seen it:

Great Expectations
45
Old White Lincoln (with a part of "Dear Chicago" by Ryan Adams)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Howl
The Diamond Church Street Choir
Handwritten
The '59 sound
American Slang
Too Much Blood
Here's Looking at You, Kid
The Backseat (with a part of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2)

Xavi6

An interesting article, and when I say "interesting" I mean something written by a clueless wanker -

http://www.vice.com/read/i-thought-nickelback-was-the-worst-band-on-earth-but-its-really-gaslight-anthem

ReacherCreature

That guy has some serious hate about him. He's incredibly bitter/boring/annoying etc.

He hates the band largely on their influences, clothing and his comparison that TGA are like Nickelback. The main reason that review/rant/opinion piece is absolutely baseless is that the only Gaslight Anthem song he heard was "45". If he listened to their entire discography I'd engage him but he's a tool.

flyswatter

Can't believe he dissed PRS guitars :eek:

ghostdancer

i can't understand how he thinks 45 sounds like Nickelback

Decade of Decadence

Any word on anIrish gig?

theteal

Decade of Decadence wrote: »

Any word on anIrish gig?

i don't think so, t'would be a great excuse for an impromptu trip home . my tickets for brixton arrived last week, gonna be savage