The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten Since their breakthrough album, The ‘59 Sound, came out in 2008, The Gaslight Anthem have become one of alternative rocks most successful young bands. Their last album, American Slang, went to number sixteen on the Billboard Charts and the touring demands for the New Jersey boys has seen them play shows all over the world. On Handwritten, their fourth studio effort, the band seem to have delved back into the spirit of their aforementioned breakthrough. Yes, the cleaner, more sculpted choruses of American Slang are present but the overall vibe is one of punk influenced vintage rock with introspective lyrics that we can all relate to. Themes of lost love, life and memories of youth are all sung with so much passion and veracity and at times this can be an emotive listen. Highlights include opener, 45, which showcases the bands knack for writing super-catchy rock songs. Mulholland Drive demonstrates the band’s hard rocking abilities, with a driving rhythm section and great lead guitar parts. Too Much Blood is a heart-on-sleeve outpouring of emotion that sits Brian Fallon head and shoulders above his peers when it comes to impassioned lyric writing. As ever the Springsteen, Clash and New Jersey influences are present but The Gaslight Anthem have used them to help create their own style. Pure passion, classic melodies and timeless lyrics help to make this one of the albums of the year. GM
The Early November - In Currents New Jersey five-piece, The Early November, are back with ‘In Currents’, their third full-length album and the first since reuniting after a six year hiatus. The band have picked up where they left off and delivered another solid dose of emotional rock. Musically, their pace has slowed and made way for songs that have more emphasis on melody. One of the key factors in making this album a successful comeback is Arthur Enders’ vocals, which have in no doubt matured over the last six years. Although his voice is still easily recognisable, he has added gruff, harsher tones that really help to put across the emotion of his lyrics, ‘Lay me out over a burning fire‘, he pours out on the excellent, Frayed In Doubt. Their playing has matured also, piano parts, string sections and layered synths really help to give the songs more weight whilst still remaining subtle and atmospheric, check out opener, A Stain On The Carpet, for a great example of this. Other highlights include the brooding, mid-tempo stomp of Guilt & Swell, with its great guitar hook and huge vocal. A solid return that will see old fans come streaming back. Their biggest challenge now will be convincing younger fans to get on board and if they had any sense, they definitely would. GM
Tafijah Allstars Their Facebook page states, “Tafijah Allstars believe that practice does not make perfect... it just papers over the cracks,” and it could be said that this theology appears to be all too evident throughout the debut EP from this Chepstow based group. Currently looking to widen their horizons out towards Bristol and beyond, Tafijah Allstars' debut EP is like a B-movie heroine; a little rough around the edges, but with eyes that show no fear and an attitude more than capable of giving you a black eye if you go looking for it. Opening track, the bittersweet 'Pencil to Paper' sets the tone nicely, with echoes of The King Blues and Bag of Toys coming through the reggae rhythms and classic chord structures. The glistening harmonica paints an extra layer of emotion over the lyrical content of 'Scruff Man', and gives Tafijah Allstars a vague, though all-important, sense of an identity. However, as final track 'Pennies' comes to an end, it leaves behind it the feeling that perhaps a live recording would be the way to go for this band – something to capture the essence of what they do, rather than trying to artificially create it the next day.The EP is still full of life and features some solid musicianship. This lowbudget, could fall apart at any time vibe radiates from the music these guys make, and though to some they may not sound like they are taking things seriously enough, Tafijah Allstars posses an undeniable spirit, and what does come across, very clearly, is that this is a band who like to play, and with a little more time behind them, could be on to something bright. GT