The Gaslight Anthem

The Gaslight Anthem’s punk-rock beginnings leave a big enough imprint even when the band confidently declines to lean on them. 2010’sAmerican Slang keeps evolving the soul-influenced yearnings of the 2008 breakthrough The ’59 Sound, to the point that punk feels secondary. “Old Haunts” and “Stay Lucky” rattle up a fine soundtrack for half-drunk, half-sensitive male bonding, yet Brian Fallon’s songwriting would stand just as strong without a fist-pumping beat. And it does just that on “The Queen Of Lower Chelsea” and “We Did It When We Were Young,” further proof that Gaslight’s much more subtle and classy-sad than a New Jersey answer to The Hold Steady. Granted, it kicks ass, too, especially in a live setting. The band recently announced that its fourth album, Handwritten, is due in late July, and also released the single “45,” which is a hunk of classic-rock gold.

Updated 05/01/2012