June snuck right past me. It probably had a lot to do with selling our house and starting a new job more than anything. Just the headache of both of those activities causes a person to lose a grip on time.

So I’m late to the game on ‘New Music Monday’ once again. I suppose no one other than me gets any enjoyment out of this particular monthly post. My wife has admitted to me that she briefly reads the title and some of the introduction and then blah, blah, blah. My most ardent supporter finds no value in my monthly delve into to musical review foray? Tis true.

Whatever. Onward into the next review despite the loneliness here on the information superhighway (read: dead-end backroad) of the blogosphere.

I seem to stumble across musical nuggets in a variety of places. Mountain bike movie soundtracks have filled more than their fair share of contributions to my musical library. Many a moon ago, I was absorbed by a film which led me to a new band. That band was The Gaslight Anthem from New Jersey. One could describe them as punk meets garage meets roots meets folk meets Bruce Springsteen music. As I mentioned above, they are from New Jersey so there is a very clear element of inspiration from Springsteen in their tunes.


The Gaslight Anthem was just one of many of my favorite groups releasing music. On June 15, the band released their latest studio album, ‘American Slang.’ This record isn’t a stretch in regard to sound. It’s vintage Springsteen a la nostalgia, uhh, I mean The Gaslight Anthem. I’m not a fan of Springsteen but the punkish, rootsy nature of The Gaslight Anthem is pretty compelling. Listen to any one of their releases and you will be amazed to know these dudes are in their 20’s. Their sound, talent, songwriting, and passion suggest that they are old souls.

Get it here.

‘American Slang’ is an extension of American nostalgia. While listening, the album makes you feel like you should be bellied up to the bar at and old roadside 1960’s diner. That’s not to say they have a 60’s sound. It’s Americana and the songs pay tribute to American heritage and small town values. It reminds us that there is a little bit of small town, life’s struggles and hardships, and rewarding successes in all of us. This is what I call driving music. Not driving like loud and obnoxious, but get in your car and road trip across America music. It makes you feel like you should stop and absorb the sights and sounds along the way.

Let’s talk songs off the album:

American Slang – The title track of the record kicks off the album in fifth gear. It sets the stage for a more rocking album than the last. The song is a simple beat and guitar riffs that are naked in production. The song is the metaphor for our way of life in a simpler time. It’s one part American dream (the hope) and one part American slang (the reality).

The Diamond Church Street Choir – A little jazzy guitar and a shuffling beat take you on a journey back in time in the form of the comforting memory of a church choir. It’s a vivid song filled with imagery of the past with a nod to something we can all relate to – church.

We Did it When We Were Young – An austere song which definitely reconnects this album to previous albums. It has that passion and depth that The Gaslight Anthem is known for. The echoing singing is a perfect effect to the earnestness of the message of leaving the past failed relationship behind.

‘American Slang’ isn’t forged in heartbreaking emotion and punk chords like the previous album, ‘The 59 Sound.’ That record was epic. Unfortunately, that makes you want more originality out of this record. The bar has been raised for The Gaslight Anthem. But make no mistake, lyrically and musically ‘American Slang’ is a great album that reinforces the band’s talent and storytelling. It’s much better than most of the cookie cutter poop you can hear on the radio. And while certain songs will make it on rock radio, this is American punk rock music found on a jukebox in your favorite pub in the run-down part of town. This is great music. The Gaslight Anthem is soulful punk paying homage to American nostalgia in the form of old flames, barren highways, hot rods, and memories..