The Gaslight Anthem

Peyton Manning · 04-01-2009 2:18am #1

Thought this band deserved their own thread. I know theres a fair few fans on here from the "Album of the Year" thread so heres the place to wax lyrically about them! The 59 Sound is probably my second favourite album of the year, absolutely incredible. MTV2 have started playing Old White Lincoln so I expect them to gather mainstream media attention quite soon.

Aside, anyone going to their gig in March? Should be fantastic :cool:

lordgoat · 04-01-2009 8:19pm

To me these are watered down killers. Nothing special. They'll prob make a nice noise like the kooks et al and then follow them.

monkey9 · 04-01-2009 9:07pm

Yeah, they're a real mixture of The Killers and The Boss. The album is a real grower though

eclectichoney · 05-01-2009 8:06pm

The lyrics are miles above what the killers could write tbh. It's a very good record, but yeah, very Bruce-inspired

theteal · 05-01-2009 8:14pm

the 59 is really good but i've found myself listening to sink or swim more over the last few weeks, either way i've not been excitedly looking forward to a gig so much in a long time - i really can't comprehend the kooks comparison, man they suck, not even remotely similar style or background

dceire · 06-01-2009 1:14am

I dont think there the second coming or anything but there a good band with some fine tunes. Have heard comparisons made to the killers but i think they've more depth to them especially in the lyrics department but they definitely have the whole jersey bruce thing going on, which isnt a bad thing!

mathie · 06-01-2009 1:02pm

eclectichoney wrote: »

The lyrics are miles above what the killers could write tbh. It's a very good record, but yeah, very Bruce-inspired

Really?
I find them to be an embarrassing rip-off of the Killers and whoever the Killers ripped off in the first place.

Lyrics like these are practically libel / slander or whatever you're having.

"And Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
Always kinda sorta wished I looked like Elvis
And in my head there's all these classic cars
And outlaw cowboy bands
I always kinda sorta wish I'm someone else"
- The Gaslight Anthem - High Lonesome

lordgoat · 07-01-2009 12:45pm

mathie wrote: »

Really?
I find them to be an embarrassing rip-off of the Killers and whoever the Killers ripped off in the first place.

Lyrics like these are practically libel / slander or whatever you're having.

"And Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
Always kinda sorta wished I looked like Elvis
And in my head there's all these classic cars
And outlaw cowboy bands
I always kinda sorta wish I'm someone else"
- The Gaslight Anthem - High Lonesome

Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand and said she's like to meet a boy who looked like Elvis- Round here

Amazotheamazing · 08-01-2009 10:23am

Is that not the point of it though? They are deliberately referencing songs they grew up with, pretending to actually be the people the various other bands were writing about?

kerash · 08-01-2009 3:40pm

Heard them for the first time today - I though I was the only one who thought they sounded like the killers...until I came here:pac:
I prefer the killers:D

Xavi6 · 09-01-2009 3:24am

Fook me it's like The Killers mark II!

Tbh I like the album and it's what I expected 'Day & Age' to sound like. Alas it's in fact a crock of shite.

Definitely listenable, cheers for the recommendation.

Mr. Frost · 09-01-2009 3:34am

Watered down Killers? Don't think so!

From what I've heard, they sound a bit more raw, and actually decent. The Killers sucketh!

Peyton Manning · 10-01-2009 6:14am

Tbh, the only comparison I meant when I mentioned the Killers was the sound of the lead singer, especially in Old White Lincoln.

lordgoat · 10-01-2009 4:35pm

Mr. Frost wrote: »

Watered down Killers? Don't think so!

From what I've heard, they sound a bit more raw, and actually decent. The Killers sucketh!

You do know who the killers are right? There is not a big jump from the killers to these and vice versa. Vocally and musically.

Mr. Frost · 10-01-2009 5:23pm

lordgoat wrote: »

You do know who the killers are right? There is not a big jump from the killers to these and vice versa. Vocally and musically.

Vocally, not musically. Not from what I've heard.

eclectichoney · 10-01-2009 5:29pm

The killers could never come up with lyrics on a par with these though:

"Mary, I worried and stalled every night of my life.
Better safe than making the party.
And I never had a good time, I sat my bedside, with papers and poetry about Estella.
With great expectations, we had the greatest expectations.

I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.
Everybody leaves and I'd expect as much from you.
I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my old life.
Everybody leaves, so why, why wouldn't you?"

Mr. Frost · 10-01-2009 5:33pm

eclectichoney wrote: »

The killers could never come up with lyrics on a par with these though:

"Mary, I worried and stalled every night of my life.
Better safe than making the party.
And I never had a good time, I sat my bedside, with papers and poetry about Estella.
With great expectations, we had the greatest expectations.

I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my first wife.
Everybody leaves and I'd expect as much from you.
I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my old life.
Everybody leaves, so why, why wouldn't you?"

Yeah the Killers' lyrics are kinda dumbed down a bit, or something!

GSpoon · 06-03-2009 2:05pm

There is no comparison with the Killers.. First album was the only decent one. Saw the Gaslight Anthem live this week and i was blown away. The Killers lyrics are so mainstream and totally dumbed down.. dont get me wrong i like the Killers but The GA are definately ones to watch...

ADTR · 24-03-2009 7:07pm

I don't really care for The Gaslight Anthem, but I in no way see The Killer's comparison. They are one of the worst, most over rated bands to come along in quiet some time.

Beeinmybonnet · 10-04-2009 12:25am

When I first heard them, I thought they were a rip-off of the Killers. But the album grew on me - went to see them recently in the Academy and was an excellent gig - the lead singer was a really sound guy and his voice was excellent live.

Driver 8 · 11-04-2009 5:22pm

I wouldn't insult them by comparing them to either

Placid_Casual · 11-04-2009 5:34pm

Mr.S wrote: »

their like a mix between Kings of Leon and The Killers, class band:)

Talk about damning with faint praise!

Where on earth are people getting The Killers comparisons from? They're both influenced by Bruce Springsteen (but the Gaslight Anthem much more so) and, um, that's it. There's nary a synth to be heard on any Gaslight Anthem song I can think of.

Anyways, the album's good but nothing special.

Xavi6 · 11-04-2009 5:57pm

Your man's voice sounds very much like Brandon Flowers in a number of songs.

Driver 8 · 11-04-2009 6:15pm

Only the Killers songs where Flowers is doing his faux-Springsteen voice

Placid_Casual · 11-04-2009 6:47pm

They do have slightly similar voices, though the guy from The Gaslight Anthem's is much stronger.
But musically, I just don't hear much similarity to The Killers, apart from maybe a few songs off Sam's Town. Certainly nothing off Hot Fuss (haven't heard the most recent Killer's album).

Driver 8 · 11-04-2009 7:00pm

As far as I can tell, it's not a similarity to the Killers per se, it's a mutual similarity between The Gaslight Anthem and The Killers circa Sams Town to Springsteen.

Xavi6 · 11-04-2009 7:03pm

It is very much a 'Sam's Town' comparison alright.

HIB · 06-08-2009 1:52pm

Anyone else think they sound a bit like The Cure?

Kersmash · 06-08-2009 2:00pm

I love these guys, they're my favourite band atm. Saw em at Oxegen and they were unreal. I love the way Brian Fallon, the singer, is constantly smiling. Always gives the impression he's actually enjoying himself. I think the Killers comparison comes purely from the sound of his voice. I much prefer Gaslight anyway. I think they're gonna be massive.

Temaz · 30-11-2013 10:52pm

B side album out at the end of January 2014

'The B-Sides' tracklisting is:

'She Loves You'
'The '59 Sound' (Acoustic)
'State of Love and Trust' (Live)
'Tumbling Dice'
'The Queen of Lower Chelsea' (Acoustic)
'Songs for Teenagers'
'Great Expectations' (Acoustic)
'Antonia Jane' (Acoustic)
'American Slang' (Acoustic)
'Boxer' (Acoustic)
'Once Upon a Time

'
Read more at http://www.nme.com/news/the-gaslight-anthem--2/74147#s3aQAZed71cilsDF.99

Turtyturd · 01-12-2013 2:47pm

Love the band but that is a dire set list....think there is also a live dvd of their gigs in London earlier this year out soon too.

SilverScreen · 01-12-2013 5:43pm

The number of acoustic versions makes it look like they're just scraping the barrel for a cash-in job. News of a new album in 2014 is good news though. Hopefully they'll be back here for another couple of dates.

Turtyturd · 01-12-2013 7:52pm

SilverScreen wrote: »

The number of acoustic versions makes it look like they're just scraping the barrel for a cash-in job. News of a new album in 2014 is good news though. Hopefully they'll be back here for another couple of dates.

Yep seems like a label thing....for me a b-sides album should at least have original songs on it. Most fans will have this type of stuff already, and very few new fans will pick up a b-sides album.

The Gibzilla · 02-07-2014 10:20pm

New track from the upcoming album. It's a nice change from what they usually do. It's definitely one that sticks in your head after a couple of spins. Nice work, lads!

Just stumbled across this one too. I prefer "Get Hurt," but this will keep the fans who prefer the "traditional" Gaslight Anthem sound happy.

Dinner · 03-07-2014 7:52pm

I'm loving Rollin' and Tumblin'! "All my friends wanna get into heaven and all I keep thinking is I wish you were here" is a hell of a line! But really, that's not a surprise anymore.

I'm not really feeling Get Hurt that much yet. I'd say it'll grow on me as I listen to it. They usually do, but I can see myself preferring the familiar sounding songs.

Here's the track list in case anyone's missed it:

01. Stay Vicious
02. 1,000 Years
03. Get Hurt
04. Stray Paper
05. Helter Skeleton
06. Underneath The Ground
07. Rollin' And Tumblin'
08. Red Violins
09. Selected Poems
10. Ain't That A Shame
11. Break Your Heart
12. Dark Places
13. Sweet Morphine (Deluxe)
14. Mama's Boys (Deluxe)
15. Halloween (Deluxe)
16. Have Mercy (iTunes)

Based on the name alone I've got high hopes for Break Your Heart and Selected Poems. Helter Skelton seems like something Matt Skiba would call a song, so it'll be interesting to see how that turns out.

Turtyturd · 21-07-2014 11:56am

Dinner wrote: »

I'm loving Rollin' and Tumblin'! "All my friends wanna get into heaven and all I keep thinking is I wish you were here" is a hell of a line! But really, that's not a surprise anymore.

I'm not really feeling Get Hurt that much yet. I'd say it'll grow on me as I listen to it. They usually do, but I can see myself preferring the familiar sounding songs.

Here's the track list in case anyone's missed it:

01. Stay Vicious
02. 1,000 Years
03. Get Hurt
04. Stray Paper
05. Helter Skeleton
06. Underneath The Ground
07. Rollin' And Tumblin'
08. Red Violins
09. Selected Poems
10. Ain't That A Shame
11. Break Your Heart
12. Dark Places
13. Sweet Morphine (Deluxe)
14. Mama's Boys (Deluxe)
15. Halloween (Deluxe)
16. Have Mercy (iTunes)

Based on the name alone I've got high hopes for Break Your Heart and Selected Poems. Helter Skelton seems like something Matt Skiba would call a song, so it'll be interesting to see how that turns out.

Get Hurt seems to be another step towards The Horrible Crows. Wasn't too pushed on Rollin and Tumblin but it's been stuck in my head all weekend.

Is Halloween the same track that was on the extended version of Handwritten? One of the best songs the band has ever written IMO and should be a proper album track.

Dinner · 28-07-2014 8:02pm

Turtyturd wrote: »

Get Hurt seems to be another step towards The Horrible Crows. Wasn't too pushed on Rollin and Tumblin but it's been stuck in my head all weekend.

Is Halloween the same track that was on the extended version of Handwritten? One of the best songs the band has ever written IMO and should be a proper album track.

Yeah it's the same one. Definitely one of the best songs. The best ones always seem to sneak out as B Sides or as extras like Misery, She Loves You and Blue Dahlia. Their choice of songs for albums could use some work!

On another note, new song out today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2edphSNRPY

I'm really liking this one too, especially the change of pace between the verse and chorus

Turtyturd · 30-07-2014 10:24pm

I have come away after listening to each song going 'I am not sure what I think about that' only to find myself humming it later in the day. The songs are damn catchy.

I think Rollin and Tumblin will be a great opener for their gigs.

Robotito · 02-08-2014 9:20am

Any chance they will add an Irish date or two to their European tour in October/November?
Saw them in the Olympia in June last year and they were amazing

drugstore cowboy · 06-08-2014 1:24pm

The whole album is fantastic! The band sound so fresh and energised.

Turtyturd · 07-08-2014 6:57am

As with when I first heard the songs released on youtube I am not sure what to think of the album. The out of flow lyrics seem to be popping up a lot, and there seems to be a real Southern Rock (unintentional Alkaline Trio reference) or gospel vibe off a lot of the songs.

Not liking the version of Halloween though.

Edit: Have Mercy is the 'why isn't that on the actual album?' track for me.

Dinner · 07-08-2014 8:50pm

Turtyturd wrote: »

Edit: Have Mercy is the 'why isn't that on the actual album?' track for me.

Yep, surprise surprise, a Gaslight Anthem B side/bonus is better than most of the album tracks. It's becoming their 'thing' now.

Having said that, I haven't listened to the whole thing yet. Kinda liked 1000 years and really liked Have Mercy. Not so keen on Stray Paper. Think I'll hang on the few days now before I go through the rest.

Disappointed to hear about Halloween. Is it very different to the versions that are already out?

Edit: **** it's out tonight! I thought it was the 12th...

RoboAmish · 07-08-2014 9:12pm

Goddamn, I hope this baby hits iTunes at midnight. I'll be staying up anyway- has proven to be a hit and miss strategy in the past.

Turtyturd · 07-08-2014 9:59pm

Dinner wrote: »

Yep, surprise surprise, a Gaslight Anthem B side/bonus is better than most of the album tracks. It's becoming their 'thing' now.

Having said that, I haven't listened to the whole thing yet. Kinda liked 1000 years and really liked Have Mercy. Not so keen on Stray Paper. Think I'll hang on the few days now before I go through the rest.

Disappointed to hear about Halloween. Is it very different to the versions that are already out?

Edit: **** it's out tonight! I thought it was the 12th...

Not majorly different and if I had heard this version first I would probably be saying the one I like isn't as good.

Not pushed on 1000 years (yet), I think the first half of the album is patchy with stay vicious and get hurt being the stand out tracks. From Rollin and Tumblin on though it's really good, especially Dark Places.

Dinner · 08-08-2014 8:23pm

Turtyturd wrote: »

Not majorly different and if I had heard this version first I would probably be saying the one I like isn't as good.

Not pushed on 1000 years (yet), I think the first half of the album is patchy with stay vicious and get hurt being the stand out tracks. From Rollin and Tumblin on though it's really good, especially Dark Places.

Oh man, I know what you mean about Halloween. Don't think I like that at all. Just sounds weird... The whole backing vocals sounds wrong compared to the other version.

I'm only going through it for the second time there now. 1000 years is starting to sound out. The chorus is really catchy! Not entirely sure about Stray Paper/Helter Skeleton/Underneath the Ground at all yet. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the vocals are too quiet on some songs too.

The whole divorce thing puts a different slant on the whole album though, older songs always seemed to be about girls from his youth.

Turtyturd · 11-08-2014 11:09am

Having given it a few more listen Stray paper, Helter Skeleton and Red Violins are the weakest parts of the album for me. Am really liking Selected Poems, and Ain't that a shame (although it could do with another chorus).

I had listened to it once or twice before reading the interview where he talked about his divorce, but like you said once you know about that it really gives it another dimension.

Dinner · 15-08-2014 6:28pm

So I'm quite a few listens in now and have a fair idea of it. I think my least favourites on it are Stray Paper and Get Hurt. Stray Paper just hasnt really gown on me, and I really don't like the chorus of Get Hurt.

I wasn't mad on Helter Skeleton initially, but I'm all over it now. It's up there with Have Mercy, Ain't that a Shame and Selected Poems as the best songs for me.

I was going to come on and have a rant about that stupid pre-show soundcheck thing, but I see they've already pulled the plug on it. Just as well to be honest $125 is crazy money for an unfair idea.

Xavi6 · 05-04-2022 3:06am

Aaaaaaaaand they're back! My favourite band of the last 10/15 years and as much as I love Brian Fallon's solo stuff, The Gaslight Anthem are a different beast.

Good read here on how it all came about, so keen for a new album.

Brian Fallon Explains Why The Gaslight Anthem Have Reunited (uproxx.com)

The Gaslight Anthem

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