The Gaslight Anthem -- Handwritten

8/10

The Gaslight Anthem's Handwritten is a statement of purpose: We're a throwback rock band. We make verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus rock music heavily indebted to the past. This is what we do. This is all we're going to do.
Over Handwritten's eleven tracks, The Gaslight Anthem do this and do it well. Producer, Brendan O'Brien, brings a fuller sound to Handwritten than The Gaslight Anthem's previous work features, but nothing else is new. Brian Fallon still writes effectively heartfelt, but at times over the top lyrics.  His crew don't just write down what they're feeling, they "only write by the moon." The Gaslight Anthem still rock a high energy sound, heavily indebted to the 50's and 60's. They still write some very satisfying songs, recorded now better than ever. I'm still buying.
Handwritten is just as good as it is stubborn, and in an age where everyone is striving to be "relevant," that's as good a quality to have as any.


2012 Mercury
1. 45 3:23
2. Handwritten 3:58
3. Here Comes My Man 3:35
4. Mulholland Drive 3:53
5. Keepsake 4:02
6. Too Much Blood 5:07
7. Howl 2:04
8. Biloxi Parish 3:46
9. Desire 3:15
10. Mae 4:07
11. National Anthem 3:40