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.”

 

that rules

 

Looks like they played Honey Bee last night

assuming that’s a Petty cover? Not a new song

anyone know?

 

It's a Petty cover.

 

he still loves tom petty songs

 

Very excited to see the return of Dark Places

 

Setlists have gotten super interesting this week

return of -

Have Mercy
Boxer
Bring It On
Casanova
Lower Chelsea
Ferris

all in the past 2 shows

plus Dark Places every night

very very good!

 

I feel like the Slang songs have been somewhat pushed aside in setlists over time and on any given day I could argue it’s as strong as 59

Boxer hadn’t been played in a decade! That’s a great tune

 

And Have Mercy as an opener goes SO HARD

 

They’re so great that almost any setlist works for me in general - however I do think it’s odd that Backseats is no longer a staple

 

Been spinning History Books a lot lately and it might have become my favorite Gaslight record. It’s so well done.

 

Last 3 songs are a tier below for me, which for a 10 song album will make a difference for me in any ranking. However, Spider Bites through Little Fires is as good as any Gaslight album.

 

I don't think I would say this is my favorite Gaslight record, but it is absolutely incredible, and these guys have such a strong discography that I think you can make the case that any of their albums is their best

 

Hoping for a new album in 2026

 

History Books has one too many ballads (or one too few bangers) and the second half is a little bit of a letdown compared to the (perfect) first half, but it’s still great. Would be my number 4 Gaslight album, in my rankings.

 

Yeah I just feel like it was 2 loud ones short. Don’t need to cut any songs but needed 12 songs with 2 more rockers

 

I wonder if that was in any way a correlation between Brian’s writing process with his solo albums + Horrible Crowes seeping its way into Gaslight? Most times when the lead singer of a band does a solo venture it’s for 1-2 albums and then back to the main project with more of a knack for the main act’s legacy. Not saying History Books was bad by any means, just a bit unbalanced like others are saying here.