Looking at my work schedule today vs tomorrow, I think today will be the day I get to re-go through everything I did with blink last week with my "holy shit my favorite band is back making music" again emotions.
I've had it happen a bunch of times lately with stuff I preordered. At least toss me a download if you're not going to get the record to me on time!
I have traveled to New Zealand to listen to this one. Just getting through all the songs they released as singles at the beginning of the album. Excited to hear some new stuff. I liked the opener, despite seeing a review complaining about the opening track.
So far I have been surprised by how much more this feels like a Brian Fallon record than a Gaslight record. Much quieter, more subdued. But I love the songs. However, 'I Live in the Room Above Her' is playing now and this feels much more like a classic Gaslight song.
It’s def more subdued than I was anticipating originally, but I think Alex does a really good job making his presence felt here outside of a typical BF solo album.
https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/87811/The-Gaslight-Anthem-History-Books/ "Forgive the rambling, let’s get back to that first sentence. I hit play on this album for the first time (having managed to avoid hearing any of the singles previously), and opener “Spider Bites” immediately reinforced all my misgivings. There’s no way around it, it’s a clunky song - a blaring guitar intro, a kinda bland verse structure, a repetitive chorus (albeit quite catchy). It may have plenty of redeeming features, but the tune just never quite fits together right, and those issues are accentuated by a production job which seems designed solely to muffle the music’s strengths (a problem throughout this record). Needless to say, I kept sitting on the couch, girding myself for more disappointment."
Sadly there is no way to avoid the inevitable production discourse and I also think a lot of fans outside of this site probably won't be ready for how subdued it is. Kind of bummed that will be the main takeaway from a lot of people right away. I just hope they revisit the album in time and realize what it is. Because I'm right now listening to Michigan, 1975 and personally think the production of the album really helps this song. This song is incredible.
Michigan, 1975 is amazing. Loving this so much; I really need to listen to more of this band. I’ve heard at least a couple of their records but only ever spent real time with ‘59 Sound. This is beautiful though, loving how it sounds too so the production talk is really confusing me!
Knew pretty much immediately upon hearing "Michigan" at the Grand Rapids show that it was going to be my favorite on the album. A lot of stuff I love on here, but that's the one for me.
I finished it. Yeah sure this may not be as rocking and upbeat and "turning the amps up" or whatever I would have originally wanted a year ago ... but it is a Fall Gaslight album. And it sounds exactly like a Fall Gaslight album would sound. This feels like a nighttime, 50 degree, drink a beer next to a fire type vibe.
Stoked for tomorrow's show. They're gonna be DRAGGIN' by Mon so I'm happy I get them fresh. Looking forward to hearing the new tunes.
I'm liking it though it definitely feels like another Brian Fallon solo album where he invited his bandmates to play on.