Gaslight Anthem lights up the stage at All Points West with dirty and gritty Rock n Roll

I watch new bands join the party all the time. Unfortunately for the bands, there is a trend these days where critics roll out the comparisons and pigeonhole them into something they feel forced to rise above. Though I like weird music, I feel that this critics’ trend causes bands to enter the obscure and create something never heard before, which for sure sometimes has its benefits. But, it feels like artists have feared doing anything that could be considered the same old song and dance.

IMHO, fellow New Jersey inhabitants (that’s right Miss Liberty is in New Jersey NOT New York), The Gaslight Anthem said “Screw it” and made the Rock ‘n’ Roll album they wanted, and are probably thrilled with the comparisons being made.

The New Jersey foursome’s debut 2008 album, The ’59 Sound, has received all sorts of “Sounds just like…” criticism, most notably to fellow New Jersey native, and my ex-celebrity crush Bruce Springsteen, but I don’t think they care. Throughout their album, Gaslight alludes to their inspirations such as in “High Lonesome” where they quote Springsteen, Counting Crows, and Tom Petty. The lyrics of Bob Dylan and Bob Seger amongst others also make appearances throughout the album. 

Unlike those who may criticize their familiarity, I love Gaslight Anthem’s music.

The opening noise on The ’59 Sound, the crackling of a record player, as well as their title, invokes a nostalgic feel of old-school Rock ‘n’ Roll, but the band themselves are very much 2009. This is beer soaked, whisky induced Rock ‘n’ Roll the way their influences intended it to be. There is no out of control-manipulated sounds, or off count timing, or over the top stage costumes. It’s just dirty, gritty, Rock ‘n’ Roll, saturated with emotion.

We can only hope that the Gaslight Anthem will continue to record kick ass albums like The ’59 Sound, and not sway too far from what they have currently given their fans. If they give me more of the ringing power chords, pounding drums and handclapping, then I’ll be a fan for life, which when you’re a statue could be a long time.

So far the only musician to outlast me has been Keith Richards.

Over the past year, the popularity of the Gaslight Anthem has grown from a small New Brunswick, NJ band in the underground “punk” scene, to receiving notable nods from big names like super-hero Springsteen, as they opened for him and the E-Street Band in London on June 28 (Watch the boys from Jersey with Bruce here). 

They also have a full-fledged tour lined up next fall, with stops at some of the nation’s larger clubs.  Make sure you check out The ’59 Sound and their sure to be fist pumping set at All Points West on August 2, 2009.  Buy tickets here, check more events here and follow us on Twitter for all our updates. 

Keeping Rock n Roll alive,  

Miss Liberty