Rockalicious

Labels, labels, labels. I suppose you already know the story. This is punk, this is classic rock, this is metal, this is pop. However, no matter how strict one might be, there are bands that cannot be labeled. As simple as that. And that's how the "alternative" term was invented. When you don't know what it's all about, you just call it alternative and you solved the problem. And The Gaslight Anthem is one of those bands. Punk, the '50s, Bruce Springsteen... wait, did someone just say alternative?

Their third studio album, American Slang, will be released on 14 June and the band described it as being different from their previous releases. I'm not sure if the difference is as huge as one might think after reading this statement, but this doesn't actually matter. We're talking about an album that keeps your ears busy from the first to the last track – and this is a compliment. At first glance (uh well, listening) it doesn't even seem to be a contemporary release. Actually, you'll be sucked into the '60s atmosphere right after you press play.

From time to time, the guys seem to remember their punk roots, but these moments are rather flashbacks than true switches in sound and serve only to improve the atmosphere. Lyrically speaking, the album is a mixture of feelings: nostalgia, love, pain, hopes, they blend together perfectly, allowing you to strongly identify with at least one of the songs (while we're here, allow me to express all my admiration for We Did It When We Were Young. Man, what a song!)

To put it simple, The Gaslight Anthem tried to do their best on this one, and apparently they really succeeded. It doesn't even matter if it's punk, pop, Springsteen, whatever. It's great and that should be enough.


*photo courtesy of The Gaslight Anthem's MySpace