awesome!

haven't listened to this, but the score is for the band now. kind of a joke version of what they used to be to me. See: Against Me!

i just started really listening to this record and it rules. Better and more diverse sounds than the previous one what was it called?

another solid, but its not enough to stay in my rotation

Bruce Springsteen.

I would love to see one mention of The Gaslight Anthem in a magazine, an online review, anywhere, that doesn't mention Bruce Springsteen.

Best record of 2010.

To renvolpi: Listen to the '59 Sound and tell me how much distortion you hear compared to this. It's about equal.

This band is bland. I think a lot of the appeal is due to their nostalgic 1950's vibe, which is refreshing, but Social D did it better. They are like Social D with no caffeine and no calories, but hey, as long as they are buddy-buddy with Springsteen they are going to be in our faces.

I loved the 2 first albums. On this one there is this lack of distortion that is very irritating! Bring the Distortion and the energy back please! A very dull album in general.

I really can't get into this band at all. Never understood all the love for them

I would encourage everyone to listen to this on CD or vinyl (and give it 4 or 5 spins, too) before forming an opinion on it. TGA have been my favorite band since I was introduced to them three years ago, and even as a huge fan, I'll admit I was a little disappointed by this album when I first heard it shortly after it leaked. It wasn't until I bought it, put it on in the car, and read the lyric sheet (undoubtedly Brian's best work yet) that I really fell in love with this release. These are not the same songs of nostalgia for Elvis, 1950s Hollywood Romance, or the first time you heard The Clash. They are much darker, and touch on topics that I, being only 21, am not sure I full appreciate yet (although the raw emotion is something anyone with a soul can latch onto). In fact, the entire lyric sheet reads almost like a novel, which enhances the cohesive nature of the record. Aside from that, the balance is far better on CD, something that is sorely lacking on any torrent you might download and initially put me off about the record. Simply put, everything Ted Hutt touches turns to gold, and he is the perfect producer for this. Alex Rosamila's catchy lead guitar is an obvious standout (though it took a while to grow on me), but it's Brian's gritty, driving rhythm guitar that gives American Slang much of the same punk/slightly-hardcore sound as Sink or Swim, even though at first listen its more Rock and Roll than punk. Benny and Alex Levine also make great contributions that i can't really explain since I simply don't have the technical musical knowledge. To sum it up (if you're even reading any more), I think this is the record that Gaslight have always wanted to write since the beginning, only they finally have the skill, cohesiveness, and resources to do it.

also at Dedricthere I started listening to them when I was 17 and for a while they were my favorite band so yeah I think people my age can appreciate it

Its a good album, just not as good as the '59 sound or really any of there other works

Album of the year so far.

boring band is boring

garbage pure and simple. way to go guys....

Very good album.

its a little too pop

If you tack on the itunes bonus track "She Loves You" to the end, listening to that back to back with "We Did It When We Were Young" can result in massive angst.

weird, because when i first heard sink or swim i thought "if i was hearing this for the first time while i was in HS, this would be my favorite band". i can appreciate them as good song-writers, but somehow those songs don't hit me in the right way and i rarely feel compelled to listen to them.

Actually I am 17 and I love every single song this band has ever released.

I quess that you have to be older for some songs to really strike home,but every person,no matter how old or young,can relate with most of their songs.

To me, Gaslight Anthem is probably a band you don't "get" until your late 20s (or at least your mid 20s). It's definitely nostalgia driven and I wonder if a 17 year old can get exited by this band ? I think you need to haved lived a little for it to really hit home.

@crimsnondartboard: Thanks for the reply. In fact, being italian I just don't get'em. I mean I obviously have some trouble understanding the lyrics, but even when I do, nothing changes. Like, when I heard the title "Old white lincoln" I thought it had something to do with the president. Fuck did I know it was about a car. And then, what's so poetic about it?
I don't think they can get all this hype in europe. I heard they played a gig in Paris, which has some 6M inhabitants, and it was deserted...must mean something.

Gaslight means a lot to me and though this album didn't hit me like 59 Sound did and couldn't hit me like Sink Or Swim did, coming into my life at the perfect time, it is still Gaslight and it's still fuckin good. I'll admit, it had to grow on me a bit but after 3 or so listens it just got catchier and more fun. Orphans mostly reminds me of the old stuff. It's a good album, I'm interested to see how it works live.

I don't love it but it is solid. They made a record that will be a little more challenging to listeners and I give them credit for that. They certainly have proven in previous efforts that they can write good hooks, cathcy choruses, and manipulate with tempo changes...don't find much of that on this one. Not many standouts but not too many clunkers either. Almost feel like I respect it more then love it in some ways. For me definitely falls short of the Blacklist Royals new album and the Hollowpoints but good none the less and sort of expected something redundant and even poppier/catchier then this output.

I'll put Skynyrd up against Springsteen any day of the week. The southeast's music scene > northeast's.

Just kinda meh.

Ivano, unless you grew up in one of the northeast music scenes I don't think it's possible to understand the lure this band has. Slang really does it for us because it really hits at the soul of what it is like growing up here.

This album is amazing.. 59 Sound was ok, a few good tracks but not Sink or Swim. American Slang is so honest and so soulful it should be a staple for any kid born out of new york or new jersey.

I was never a huge fan of the Gaslight Anthem, but I was really impressed by Side A of American Slang. I really enjoyed the first few tracks and was captured by the catchy riffs and vocals. The record loses steam as it moves along. By the end I wasn't really feeling it and those little guitar riffs lost their appeal.

Nothing special. Decent record, maybe I should give it few more spins....

It really dazes me how much love this band gets. I mean, not that I hate them or anything, I just don't see all this magic. I've come to the conclusion that they must have something that only north-americans get, or love.
I don't get the lyrics, I don't get the sound...

this album is so boring. the hooks are weak, the production is foggy and the lyrics have been better. it's not bad, it's not good. just forgettable.

I would agree with Sink or Swim being kind of overrated. It's a great album, but besides Boomboxes, Contender, Wooderson, Navesink, and Divorce I'm not all that into the rest of the songs. Same situation for The '59 Sound.

To clarify -- I think both of those albums are 8's at least, and I could listen to both of them all the way through at any time and love it, but I think this is their most complete, cohesive record.

Eh, it's kind of boring. I didn't really like the 59 Sound either though. Sink Or Swim and the EP are wonderful though.

If there was one Gaslight Anthem album that you can consider overrated, it would be Sink or Swim

Great in itself...but just because it was the first album you ever heard/they released doesn't make it the best

Punk? that's mind boggling Anyway...

Love Gaslight but this record is really contemporary, slow and by the end, kind of boring. I think the 59 Sound destroyed Sink or Swim and I had high expectations for this record but somehow they faultered. It's by no means terrible, if you like the band, and you especially like Springsteen you'll probably enjoy this but you'll find yourself wondering where the oomph went. If you're just a passing fan, you'll probably hate it.

For those of you who want bands to produce the same thing over and over: Go out and thank the record producers for making the same disco record over and over again in the seventies, which thankfully lead to its demise and we're not subject to that crap anymore. Otherwise you might be like Mike and have an urge to listen to Donna Summer and dance under a disco ball right now.

Mikexdude: Punknews Disco Diva Extraordinaire

It hasn't hit me like Sink or Swim & 59 Sound did. Those I had on repeat for hours after first listen, where as American Slang I was just waiting for the last track to end. The B side is stronger than the A side. The first 4 or 5 songs sound like Gaslight attempting to sound like what people expect them to sound like now.

Still a great album, just not as good as past 2.

Hey Mike, cool, you took notice of my statement, which wasn't directed at you, but whatever. I stated that because this comment board is for reviews of the record. So just say the record sucks or say its great and state why and not point to someone elses comment. A.S. is a completely different record than the rest of TGA's LPs/EPs, and for me Mike, every track is great.

For those of you who want bands to produce the same thing over and over: Go out and thank the record producers for making the same disco record over and over again in the seventies, which thankfully lead to its demise and we're not subject to that crap anymore. Otherwise you might be like Mike and have an urge to listen to Donna Summer and dance under a disco ball right now.

"if it's not your cup of tea why comment?"

because i want to and i can do what i damn well please. lol

this is about as "rockin" as a mae record. and they're still riding that nostalgia shtick? meh.

This is the best record this year so far. "Stay Lucky" has the best chorus of any Gaslight song. Blackjaw mentioned that the variation between songs makes it feel inconsistent, but I like records that try different styles. The lyrics, while still nostalgic, sound a lot less like genre-songwriting, which was how I felt about some songs on The '59 Sound. I think it tops both the full-lengths easily, and has reinvigorated my interest in this band after I burnt out on the other records.

MEH!

(overrated)

Sink or Swim > 59 Sound > American Slang

fantastic album, best of the year so far.

Pretty darn good. I like how the recording sounds, and the songs are all pretty catchy.

xsnorexcorex

I find myself listening to the same 4 songs on this album and even singing them to myself. that said when asked to describe the album i couldn't come across more words than "vinatge" or maybe even 'cheesy' but i'm not an english major. the songs seem earnest enough but at the same time i wish they'd try something new, not in the sense of them changing their style or sound, but i feel nostalgia can only be rehashed so many times. or not, what do i know. i liked it but meh.

Why try to compare one to another? If it's not your cup of tea, why comment? or do you do that just for the sake of commenting?

Stupid comment. Discussions start from different opinions.

Does it top the 59 Sound? Not sure yet, but it is a fantastic record, and could be my favorite of the year.

In a matter of three years The Gaslight Anthem has managed to put out three distinctly different records and an EP that essentially is an extension of the first. Why try to compare one to another? If it's not your cup of tea, why comment? or do you do that just for the sake of commenting? If Gaslight made another '59 cause fans asked, then it might have been the last Gaslight album, cause you'd know the creativity was gone. It's far from gone as evidence of the effort of A.S.

For me, the first time I listened to Sink or Swim I just had to listen to it three or four more times before it became sixty times. The same for the rest. I look at this band as something other than punk rock, and the effort they put into A.S. is as always 100% with a central goal that seams to Brian's M.O. that is to create a record of seamless songs, not one good track and nine shitty ones. I can't pick anyone song that stands out from another on this record. Boxer is the catchiest, but who ever commented "We Did It..." was the best, I can agree with that if I were forced to pick one. Wait til you hear the "b" side of Boxer. I'd like to thank Jesus too for putting guys like Brian on this earth to create the music like he does.

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14355-american-slang/

Rid iculous.

Good album but it's too tame and radio friendly for my taste. This is the kind of album I would recommend to my friend who thought The Misfits were the lost toys from Rudolph.

This album is a dud. I just couldn't get into it. It's too mellow and predictable. No surprises, nothing that really stands out... just one song after another.

Pretty okay album. Nothing beets Senor and the Queen though.

I had to listen a couple times for it to completely grow on me. It doesn't flow together as nicely as Sink or Swim or '59 Sound. For me, it's the weakest of their releases, but still a fine album. Brian can still turn a phrase, and that's always been a strength of this band.

It's Gaslight. It's about what I had expected.

This took a few listens to grow on me, but now I can't get the songs out of my head. It's not as good as The '59 Sound, but I'll take it. Good canidate for my top 10 this year.

I'm pretty sure I like it more than 59 Sound, not sure if I can say I like it better than Sink or Swim yet, but it is the first Gaslight record that when I listened to it for the first time I was immediately in love with it, the other two took more time to grow on me. Diamond Church St. Choir rivals Blue Jeans and White T-Shirts and Drive for my favorite Gaslight song.

This feels like a completely natural progression in style for this band. And I absolutely love it. It's not my favorite Gaslight album, but this is easily one of my favorite albums this year.

You know what would have sounded great on this record? if they had borrowed sonically from Dinosaur Jr.'s major label stuff ever so slightly. The guitar work wouldn't ever approach Dino Jr.'s but the clean guitar sound mixed with some feedback and occasional wailing guitar solo would be rad. It would give this record some more legs I think, as right now it sounds kind of bland whereas The '59 Sound was far more interesting to just listen to.

either not easier.

i gotta learn to preview my posts

trunksandtales and mikexdude have hit the nail on the head. you cant beat SoS, and the ep was the best possible evolution from the first. 59 sound wasnt quite a rehash of the old songs, but they still used the same four chords. that hasnt changed with this easier.

that being i find this record much more listenable than the 59 sound, i have no clue why however.

This is good. Not as good as '59 Sound but very enjoyable.

Great!

God damn they sold out Irving Plaza quick. I'd been trying to get tickets since they went on sale and ticket master said they were sold out from the get go.

I get to Irving to see if I could get tickets, and we found a guy who was willing to sell us some for 75 dollars a pop. They are arguably my favorite band, but 75 bucks? No thanks.

Instead I bar hopped. Good time in the city regardless.

Easily one of the best records of 2010. American Slang is going to be the soundtrack to my summer this year. This band just keeps getting better and better. Kudos to them for making fantastic music.

i'm with mikexdude on this. just not my type of thing. checked out their other stuff but have no urge to listen to this

Also, the second paragraph to trunksandtales' comment is exactly how I feel about this band.

It's not my thing anymore, honestly. I really have no urge to listen to these songs. That said, if any non-punk wanted me to recommend a "rock" band, I'd probably say these guys.

It's a grower for me. Excellent record.

The acoustic version of the title track is way better in my opinion. You can actually hear emotion in the vocals.
This album was kind of boring to me. The last track is amazing, because, and mind you, I love the rest of their albums, it seems like Brian has finally put himself into his lyrics in a straight forward way. I'm not saying everything he had wasn't in his other lyrics, but the blatant honesty of this track completely kills all the metaphors that plague the rest of the album.

I think my problem with TGA currently is that in my opinion they'll never top the 1-2 punch of Sink or Swim and Senor and the Queen. SoS is perfect, each side of the LP plays like an EP, and the songs are sequenced in the only way I could possibly imagine them. Senor and the Queen shows a band evolving, if only ever so slightly, and the 59 Sound shows that evolution realized. The lead guitar on this record sounds like Alex was looking for an easy way out. Where are the intricacies that were present in songs like "We Came to Dance"? Where are the catchy yet dark hooks that permeate songs like "Great Expectations"?

All this being said, I don't hate this record, and I feel that they have a few more good ones in them. If they wrote an entire record that sounded like "We Did It When We Were Young" I'd play that thing forever.

Also, Brian should just rerecord this whole album acoustic. I'd buy that.

The vocals sound better than ever (technically), but they convey less emotion.
The drums maintain a steady beat better than ever, but are far less interesting.
The songs are more developed and the record contains more variety from one track to the next, but that creates inconsistency.
The record is more 'complete' overall, but it doesn't 'complete me' like Sink or Swim did (yes, that was meant to be corny).

My least favourite album of theirs.

are as much rooted in Americana as their idol Bruce Springsteen, their style rooted as much in punk rock and soul as the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll.

This seems like one of the situations where the editor thinks they know best and they change things, but only to make them wrong. It should read as follows:

are as much rooted in Americana as in their idol Bruce Springsteen, their style rooted as much in punk rock and soul as in the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll.

(the "in"s are missing)

so fucking awesome. they killed it at bonnaroo too

This review was great until it completely neglected to mention "Boxer," the best song on the album with amazing lyrics and a superb lead guitar riff. Possibly album of the year again, Gaslight. That is all.

"anyone else notice the guitar riff similarity between the new stone temple pilots song "cinnamon" and american slang?"

A little bit, but it's just 5 notes.

This album was good enough that I was able to get over my stubborn atheist and look past Brian thanking Jesus for letting him play guitar and sing songs and have people receive them into their lives.

Orphans and the title track are great, but where are all the hooks I've come to love?!?!

Does anybody else think the sound quality of the CD isn't great? I feel like there's a lot of buzzing on the high end. Regardless, it's easily the best album of 2010.

best thing I've heard in recent years. certainly best of 2010 so far.

Loved Sink or Swim, 59 was a bit of a let down, but american slang is outstanding and growing more and more on me with each listen.

I can't get in to it. I think it's a little dull.

I was never too keen on Gaslight for some reason, but I gave this a listen and was pleasantly surprised. It's one of the those rare albums where every song is highly enjoyable and more or less equal in terms of quality. It's not front or back loaded, it's consistently impressive. "The Queen of Lower Chelsea" would probably be my favourite if I had to pick one, however.

Have loved everything this band put out, and this is no exception. Amazing album.

I've listened to this a few times in the last month... none of the tracks really grab me at all. I end up being pretty bored, actually.
Both their other full-lengths are better... but the EP is the best.

Kids, this is better than the 59 Sound. Stop being silly.

Excellent, I'll be listening to this band for a long time.

Four and a half stars just for being what basically amounts to a Springsteen coverband? Well played Mr. Fallon, well played.

I posted a video review of this album on youtube before it came out and it was taken down. It didn't even have music in it. The label literally saw the video, emailed youtube, and got it taken down.

not disappointing in the least. i'd give it another half star alone just because of the lack of gratutious reverb

I don't think it's quite on par with The '59 Sound, but damn if it's not a swell album.

anyone else notice the guitar riff similarity between the new stone temple pilots song "cinnamon" and american slang?

This is a very good album. While it's nearly impossible to top The '59 Sound, they did their damnedest. The lyrics are excellent, but I think the guitars steal the show. The way they dance around each other until invariably exploding into the chorus is amazing.

I'll be really surprised if I hear a better album this year than American Slang. It's even better than The '59 Sound.

That's a ridiculous score. I played through this album three times and not a single song stuck with me.

Love Love Love sent TGA's way. Best full length and barely doesn't surpass Senior and the Queen.

Doesn't surpass "The '59 Sound" or even "White Crosses" by Against Me!

But still very solid overall

Though, I prefer the acoustic over the electric version of the title track

Haven't yet listened to this. Apparently I need to get on that. Quite excited to see the positive comments. These guys are one of the few bands I'm really excited for, in terms of popularity.

this band makes me pinch myself to make sure i'm not dreaming! too good to be true!

i thought it was going to be weak, but it def holds up to the 59 sound

this is my favorite album of the year so far

Was expecting to be disappointed, but I'm in love with this album. Fuck yeah!

I love it!

So good. 4 for 4 with this band. I'm heading into the city tonight in hopes of seeing them.

Best thing i've heard yet.

Good catch on it being "circus meal" and not "circus wheel," (I listened to that line a million times and I thought it sounded like wheel, but I definitely wasn't sure) maybe Brian can make a quick edit on that.

love this album
like a lot of people, i'm not sure this has the same effect as the 59 sound but that was nigh impossible to top i'd say, so this will definitely be one of my favorite records of the year

this record is so fucking good. can't wait for it to come in the mail, i've only listened to streams so far.

so stoked that these guys came through with something solid. i like it better than the 59 sound.

@sloan: maybe he'll tweet to complain that Sum 41 got a better review (Half Hour Of Power) and say "at least we have something to aim for."

outstanding effort, going to the record release show tonight, but did anyone preorder on itunes expecting an acoustic version of American Slang only to be told that item cannot be purchased anymore?

Great record front to back.

I wonder if Brian Fallon will tweet calling Anchors a dickhead,, or cockface or codpiece of some such.

I like it a lot, but it doesn't grab me like 59 Sound or Sink or Swim. Its also kinda short. Still a solid record.

pretty boring, but not bad. not nearly as catchy as 59 sound.

I'd say that this is the Gaslight Anthem at their best as a band. I don't feel the same connection to it as I did to the '59 Sound, but I know it's a better album. The '59 Sound was the right album at the right time, this is just a solid fucking album.

I love this record

Great review. I love this record.

Bring It On is one of the best songs they have ever written.

Its certainly different. I was blessed with the rare chance to get into them right after Sink or Swim,and sorta watch the progression. I almost feel like Against Me! has been trying to make the same sort of sound progression, but The Gaslight Anthem does it organically.

It'll probably need to grow on me, but so far "American Slang" and "Old Haunts" really do stick out.

and it's not 'Circus meal', but 'Circus wheel'.

Probably my fave of the year.

Bring It On is epic

and here we go...

I like it but it lacks something, ive been listening to it for a few months now but it doesn't capture me like 59 sound did, i was listening to that everyday for 6 months straight, im nearly over this already, sure there are some great tunes on it but im already looking to see what they put out next.HOWEVER, im sure the new songs won't have that lacking feeling when belted out live.Still a great album.

Got the pre-order last week. I like it. I think it will need to grow on me but so too did '59. After about 5 listens I can go 3 out of 5 stars.

sideonedummy lost my order, haven't heard it yet, apparently they sent it out yesterday. Judging by comments in recent threads mx expecations aren't too high.

These guys deserve every ounce of success that has come their way. Great music, great people and great work ethic.

-chris