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This Charming Man

Every Little Secret (2005)
XOXO Records

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Contributed by: scientistrock
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 11th 2008

This Charming Man was a short-lived band, and this EP is its only recorded output. Every Little Secret doesn’t change any rules or incorporate any new twist on old classics like some of the band’s members would go onto in later efforts, but it does rock pretty hard.

The music seems to take a little bit from American Steel (though that could be the influence of the commandeered line “C’est la vie / Save me” in “There Is a Thunder (Out in the Distance)”). The band combines chuggy guitars favored by groups like Hot Water Music and Dillinger Four, with noodly guitar leads that seem to straddle a line between soul and country music, with the occasional octave chord melody line thrown in for good measure. The bass gets buried under the rhythm guitar, and the drums aren’t really anything to write home about, but the work is solid.

Vocally, the American Steel comparison seems apt again. The singer’s delivery, much like Rory Henderson’s, hits the right emotional resonances quite soulfully during the verses, then gradually the gruffness and shouting increase for the choruses. The background vocals are somewhat trickier. On “Cut the Rope (Before It Hangs Us Both),” the backgrounds are reminiscent of bands like Brand New with their high-pitched harmonies and cleaner delivery.

The lyrics on this release are very mature for a band so young. The songs have a more poetic structure than many in the punk universe. However, sometimes the lyrics seem to name-check other songs a little too much, or at least the name-checks are not incorporated well enough.

This release is solid on its own, and any fan of the bands mentioned so far should at least give this a shot. But if you need more of a reason, this is the previous band of Brian Fallon (of Gaslight Anthem), and any fan of Gaslight should certainly own this.

This will probably become an important piece of “scene” history in the future, but regardless of that, this is a worthwhile CD to own.

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dordon (September 17, 2009)

here you go Dante, 1000 gaslight comments-

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sickboi (July 18, 2008)

When Benny joined, they become TGA. The Alex's joined shortly after. The songs themselves on this record are good, but the recording is terrible, and Brian's voice is fairly monotone. If you are a fan of TGA, this is an interesting listen, but I wouldn't call it essential. For me, a big part of TGA is how Alex R plays, particularly on the new record.

-chris

DMill325 (July 14, 2008)

I'm pretty sure they did change their name to The Gaslight Anthem because on their Purevolume page, they have a song from their demo called "She Coulda Raised the Titanic," which is an early version of "1930." Also, the band members on that page are listed as Brian, Mike, Alex, and Benny. Only Mike is currently not in The Gaslight Anthem.

inspection12e (July 14, 2008)

"Hmmm I was under the impression This Charming Man changed their name to The Gaslight Anthem."

I think when they were signed to Eyeball. Eyeball posted something about them changing their name.

dpassen1 (July 14, 2008)

Anyway to get the lyrics to this? It's not in the CD insert.

TommyPickles (July 12, 2008)

You reviewed, Yay!

ashtraymonument (July 12, 2008)

i don't think thats the case. brian is the only member in both bands

jfk421 (July 12, 2008)

Hmmm I was under the impression This Charming Man changed their name to The Gaslight Anthem.

truebeliever (July 11, 2008)

Lol at the artist being read as "The Gaslight Anthem" when I first put this into my iTunes...XOXO tried to fool us to buy I guess.

TheMike (July 11, 2008)

Punctured bicycle on a hillside desolate.

onegirlarmy (July 11, 2008)

"Cut the Rope (Before It Hangs Us)" is a great song and I always think Gaslight should re-work it as one of their own.

mattramone (July 11, 2008)

This is a fairly strong EP. It's a pretty strong indicator of where Brian was going, but I had no idea he would become as great as he is.

PS - Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight Gaslight

NotPatriotic (July 11, 2008)

I have never heard of this band, but I want to check em out solely because of the band name. "This Carming Man" is my favorite song by The Smiths.

dev (July 11, 2008)

This review just got posted, Dante, give it time!
For the record - OMG Gaslight anthem! *gargle, gargle*
But seriously, good review.

Dante3000 (July 11, 2008)

I give you props for reviewing this album on it's on merits and not as Brian's former band (though you mention it once at the end).
Really surprised there's not 1,000 "OMG Gaslight Anthem!" comments.

Also, I believe XOXO did try to sell this under the "Gaslight Anthem" moniker at some point.
-Dante