The Gaslight Anthem - iTunes Session
Release Date: October 12, 2011
Record Label: SideOneDummy Records
The Gaslight Anthem don’t have to do much to get me to listen to them. In fact, they don’t really have to do anything. I listen to them almost every day even while their band is relatively dormant. An iTunes Session featuring covers of songs by The Who and Tom Petty, along with an old, long-forgotten demo and a couple other gems was a must-buy on the day of release.
Covers of The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” and Petty’s “Refugee” kick off the six-song iTunes Session, and provide two of the more compelling songs on the release. Brian Fallon’s vocals have been nothing but praised since the release of American Slang, and that won’t change after an inspired performance on “Baba O’Riley.” There’s something intrinsically awesome about hearing Fallon’s gritty voice belting out, “Teenage wasteland!” over and over again. The Tom Petty cover, while not quite as familiar to most, is a nice homage to an artist who has undoubtedly influenced this band, but whose influence has been dialed down because of repeated comparisons to Bruce Springsteen.
“Our Father’s Sons” is a forgotten demo from the recording of The ’59 Sound, but a redone version of this song basically makes it brand new again. As usual, Fallon’s lyrics are there, telling a folk-like story for listeners, and while it’s obvious why the track didn’t make The ’59 Sound, it’s a hell of a b-side. The “State of Love and Trust” cover (originally by Pearl Jam) is a nice take on the song, but probably the weakest link on this release.
The two best tracks come last. Fallon takes the soulful vocals he used on the release of The Horrible Crowes’ Elsie and applies them to “Boxer,” the best song on American Slang. While I’ll certainly prefer the original version in the long run, it’s hard to not put this song on repeat. It’s a familiar melody, slowed down extremely, and Fallon sings carefully, as if he doesn’t want to wake you up…but the song takes you away each time. The musicianship can’t be ignored here, either; while Fallon’s vocals are rightfully the focus of many of these songs, the instrumentation on this version of “Boxer” is splendid and it shines on the closing cover of the well-known “House of the Rising Sun” as well. Fallon sings the track as though it was one of his own, and in the end, all this iTunes Session does is raise anticipation for Gaslight’s upcoming 2012 full-length. What direction will this band take? Where will we find Fallon’s versatile vocals on a new LP? This band’s path has been as fun to follow as any, and one thing is for sure: I’ll be listening.
The version I had also had a new version of the Navesink Banks.
Yeah, I looked it up in the iTunes store and it had an interview and Navesink Banks, but that wasn't in the AOL stream and I didn't know what version to review...
How do you think the version of boxer on this record compares to the acoustic one they released for christmas last year? I personally think the new one is far weaker and am annoyed that every review I'm read of the iTunes session doesn't even mention last year's one. (I mean, I can understand that a lot of reviews probably weren't even aware the christmas one existed, but i figure Thomas has probably at least heard it =) )
How do you think the version of boxer on this record compares to the acoustic one they released for christmas last year? I personally think the new one is far weaker and am annoyed that every review I'm read of the iTunes session doesn't even mention last year's one. (I mean, I can understand that a lot of reviews probably weren't even aware the christmas one existed, but i figure Thomas has probably at least heard it =) )
Link. That. Shit. (I probably have it somewhere but I'm lazy)
Gonna have to pick this one up after reading this. Brian fallon can do no wrong - I haven't taken Elsie out of my car since it was released and I seem to like it more every day. Cant wait for the new gaslight!
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
View Artist Profile
View News Articles
Stream the Music
Buy the Album or MP3s
View Profile Picture
View Signature
Posts: 172
View Blog
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author