The Gaslight Anthem

The Gaslight Anthem: 45 b/w You Got Lucky [7-inch]45 b/w You Got Lucky [7-inch] (2012)
Mercury Records

Reviewer Rating: 4

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Contributed by: thepopeofchili-townthepopeofchili-town
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Published on June 1st 2012Although the release of Handwritten, the Gaslight Anthem's major label debut, is still nearly two months away, the band has offered fans an early sneak peek in the form of a two-song 7" that nods to its past, while offering a glimpse at its rapid forward momentum. "45" is an uptempo rocker with .

Although the release of Handwritten, the Gaslight Anthem's major label debut, is still nearly two months away, the band has offered fans an early sneak peek in the form of a two-song 7" that nods to its past, while offering a glimpse at its rapid forward momentum.

"45" is an uptempo rocker with a soaring chorus that would feel much more at home on the group's barn-burning debut Sink or Swim than 2010's commercial breakthrough American Slang. It's vintage Gaslight, if such a term can accurately be applied to a group whose debut came out a mere five years ago. The production is slightly cleaner than we've heard on a Gaslight record before, but it suits the tune perfectly. One listen to "45" will see oneself walking around for the rest of the day singing the chorus of "Ah-hey! Turn the record over! Ah-hey! I'll see you on the flipside!"

Speaking of the flipside, the group presents a cover of Tom Petty's "You Got Lucky" on side B here. The Gaslight Anthem's members are no strangers to Petty, namedropping him in 2008's "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," as well as covering a couple of his songs ("American Girl" and "Refugee") in recent years. This is the first time, however, that one of their Petty covers gets a full-studio treatment. As with most songs it covers, the band doesn't stray too far from the original, but it does swap the song's dated, very '80s-sounding synths for a two-guitar attack.

Longtime fans worried that the Gaslight Anthem's newfound major label status would have a negative effect on its sound can rest easy. If "45" is any indication, Handwritten will be just as energetic and enjoyable as anything we've heard from the band yet.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

deucerider (June 29, 2012)

I have had the privlage of hearing the entire new Lp. Your gonna be suprised it kicks ass and for some one to compare them to Nickel Back you must be a real douch and not know shit about music.

theproblemwithfire (June 3, 2012)

*bands that do

theproblemwithfire (June 3, 2012)

"So it's how "hard" a band "rocks" that determines how good they are?"

Not at all--I just laugh every time I hear someone talking about how something like this or HWM (i've seen both examples lately) really rocks or "shreds". I always associated those kind of descriptions with bands that actually did rock, not just sorta meander through midtempo songs about love or james dean or whatever.

Blackjaw_ (June 2, 2012)

So it's how "hard" a band "rocks" that determines how good they are?

theproblemwithfire (June 2, 2012)

the gaslight anthem rock about as hard as nickleback.

overrated band is overrated.

Mrcips (June 1, 2012)

Love this song very excited for this and the new bouncing souls album

bowlercap (June 1, 2012)

The first time I heard 45, it gave me chills. No song has done that in a really long time. I really hope the album doesn't disappoint.

llmp (June 1, 2012)

Ok, you bastards who are comparing this to Sink or Swim/Charming Man better not be getting my hopes up for nothing!

TVZ (June 1, 2012)

I'm so into this. I know I'm the asshole but they just keep getting better. This is well produced, well written. What more could we possibly want? Hopefully the rest of the album will be sans the cringe worthy lyrics that plague half of the 59 sound.

EchosByron (June 1, 2012)

A light broke in upon my brain
It was the carol of a bird:
It ceased, and then it came again,
The sweetest song ear ever heard

jeffreyonfire (June 1, 2012)

Sonic in Edmonton has been playing 45 fairly regularly. You know... when they aren't playing Black Keys.

Blackjaw_ (June 1, 2012)

Good. Not huge on the lyrics though, but that's always been the case with this band.

mattramone (June 1, 2012)

Eddie and the Cruisers are stoked.

EchosMyron (June 1, 2012)

This band makes the Menzingers look sincere.

hayman (June 1, 2012)

Hey Eazy, it's been on JJJ flat out.

boourns (June 1, 2012)

I'm glad they've gotten over the 59 Sound. It's looking more and more like they've taken the lesson of American Slang to heart. Brian can put the slower jams into The Horrible Crowes (Who I love, but definitely have a different vibe) and they can return to Sink or Swim style playing.

eazyd2 (June 1, 2012)

which radio station hayman?

also the single is cool.

who the fuck is tom petty?

exitenglish1208 (June 1, 2012)

don't care for the cover much but 45 is incredible, and if the rest of the album is comparable color me very excited

hayman (June 1, 2012)

45 has been on the radio over here every day lately.
Great song, looking forward to the album.

thepopeofchili-town (June 1, 2012)

"Live in the studio". I suppose so.

mynameiskyle (June 1, 2012)

Wouldn't Refugee count as "studio treatment" for a Tom Petty song?

threetimesalady (June 1, 2012)

I have on good authority that the rest of the album is as good as if not better than 45. It goes beyond vintage gaslight.. that track is straight This Charming Man and I couldn't be happier.