Album Review: The Gaslight Anthem - 'Senor And The Queen'

28 March 2008 | 5:01 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

Born to runner-up.

More The Gaslight Anthem More The Gaslight Anthem
Homage and direct duplication and the line between the two is precarious

ground in any art form, in creation as well as appreciation. This line

so easily becomes blurred until influence becomes imitation and the

substance begins to suffer to the point where it is often depleted or

at worst, lost altogether. Case in point; New Jersey wrecking balls

The Gaslight Anthem. 


 


Now I’m just going to lay it down right here that at no point in this

review will you read the word “sophomore”, because it’s stupid

and it means you don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,

which I don’t, but I’m still not going to use it. Except for just

then. Fuck. Anyway, the reason I bring it up is because at some time

in 2006 these guys seemingly came from nowhere to light up the Jersey

sky with their debut album ‘Sink Or Swim’, twelve tracks of absolute

dynamite that combined the energy of punk rock with a whole string of

jazz, blues and soul influences that they blended together perfectly.

The main thing that stood out however, particularly in vocals, was the

bands obvious affinity with the early work of Bruce Springsteen which

gave the music a really unique edge. (Before you laugh, let me just

explain that prior to being some old dude with a huge head that your

parents listen to when they’re high, Springsteen totally kicked ass

and influenced a heap of rad bands like Saves The Day and Lifetime,

so don’t scoff.)

 


However this element that worked so well for them before is precisely

where the problem rests on the bands latest offering.Señor’s

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four tracks retain the vibrant musical energy of previous efforts, opening

up with title track Señor And The Queen, boasting the bands signature

lively hook filled guitar riffs and uplifting melodies underpinned by

solid and intricate drum work, carrying through to Wherefore Art Thou,

Elvis?, which churns out with the power of a live show and you can’t

help but feel like everyone in this band absolutely loves what they

do. It sounds so honest and so moving, but is sounding that way as far

as it goes?  


 


On closer inspection it becomes obvious vocalist Brian Fallon has gotten

a little too confident with his impersonation of The Boss, to the point

of not-so-indirectly reproducing lyrics and themes and there’s times,

particularly in closing track Blue Jeans And White T-shirts, when his

delivery is so identical it becomes genuinely laughable. Therein lies

my major hitch with this E.P., while despite what I’ve said the fact

remains that The Gaslight Anthem is a completely amazing band and by

absolutely no measure is this a bad bunch of tunes, how sincere can

it possibly be when at its core it seems to be just a cut and paste

of someone else’s ideas?


There’s something to be said for writing such instantly likeable,

engaging songs, but in future I think these guys would benefit from

keeping the inspiration as just that, and leaving some more room for

originality.

1. Senor And The Queen  


2. Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis? 


3. Say I Won’t (Recognize) 


4. Blue Jeans & White T-shirts