The Gaslight Anthem - History Books (October 27th 2023) Album • Page 114

Agreed. Love me some Stray Paper.

 

I watched The Color Purple for the first time recently and was so surprised to hear this line in its original context. Very, very different from the song.

 

I must clarify, I don’t dislike Stray Paper. I did, but then I saw Brian perform it during his album play-thru livestreams during Covid, and his explanation for the song gave me a new appreciation for it, but I still come back to it the least.

 

Fair take Rob.

Rollin' and Tumblin' is probably the track I least revisit in my spins of GH, although I tend to dislike singles so make of that what you will. I also have to be in the mood to hear Helter Skeleton.

 

Oh man, Red Violins is awesome.

For me it's Stray Paper and Stay Vicious that are the lesser tunes

 

What was his explanation for the song?

 

I feel like both of them could benefit from better mix/production coincidentally. And I'd probably change the choruses on Stay Vicious. It opens so strong but the choruses really let it down imo.

 

When he was getting divorced, he felt like he was pouring over endless pieces of paper. He said something to the effect of “you go through a life/relationship/marriage with someone, and everything about it is documented on all of these pieces of paper everywhere. All these details and personal things, it all just becomes paper.” When he said that I was like “damn, i knew this record was personal, but that’s heavy.”