“Jersey Pride” is a term close to my heart. Having been raised outside New Brunswick, New Jersey. My high school summers were filled with trips to the Jersey Shore, Bruce Springsteen on the radio, ready for a day of fun on the boardwalk with friends. Later years were spent in New Brunswick, attending parties referred to as “Backyard BBQ’s” put on by the Bouncing Souls (pre-fame). These get-togethers featured some of the best-unknown bands New Jersey had to offer. The Souls, Lifetime, Loose, and Sticks and Stones. Some “made it”, while others held a place in our hearts, but remained unheard.

Fast-forward years, and a new surge of bands proud of their Jersey roots has emerged. The Gaslight Anthem is at the forefront of this resurgence. Since 2007’s Sink or Swim was released, Gaslight has been steadily gaining popularity. Initially regarded by many as a band copying Against Me!’s raw punk/rock sound, Gaslight quickly proved scene critics wrong upon the release of their second album The ‘59 Sound. Their sophomore effort found the band refining their sound without compromising their songwriting integrity. The album’s rock anthems conjured images of those old trips to the shore. Bruce Springsteen’s influence was obvious, yet this album had an undeniably unique charm of it’s own. The ‘59 Sound garnered the band a well deserved following as well as excellent reviews from just about every major music publication. Being dubbed “The band who will save Rock n’ Roll” by many sources, put The Gaslight Anthem in a tough spot. Their 3rd album will either prove the critics wrong or establish the quartet as a band ready to stand the test of time.

American Slang, The Gaslight Anthem’s 3rd full length will be released on June 5th and without a doubt, singer Brian Fallon and his band mates have proven that they are anything but a flash in the pan. The album slays from the opening note of track one until the albums end. While the songwriting sticks firmly to the formula that made The ’59 sound such a success, the band is far tighter musically and have matured lyrically by leaps and bounds. Fallon proves his lyrical growth on the title track “American Slang” on which he proclaims, “Look at the damage, the fortunes came for the richer men. While we're left with gallows, waiting for us liars to come down and hang.”

Production-wise, American Slang maintains the great full, guitar heavy sound of The ’59 sound as Ted Hutt (Lucero, Bouncing Souls, and Flogging Molly) was again chosen as their producer. This CD has a BIG sound without being over-produced and bloated. Crisp guitar hooks, driving classic rock bass and drums tone, and dead-on catchy lyrics make this album one of the best of this year and will hopefully cement The Gaslight Anthem as a band ready for huge success.