The Gaslight Anthem: Handwritten – review

(Mercury)The Gaslight Anthem's major label debut takes them further away from their independent "punk Springsteen" roots into Boss-sized would-be stadium rock with a nod to Celtic-influenced Brit rockers Big Country and the Alarm. The songs wear broken hearts on checked sleeves, with a "whoah-oh" or "hey-ey-ey" never far away. Opener 45, the stirring Biloxi Parish and the title track are instantly catchy; it's hard to hear them without imagining rows of arms punching the air. And yet, the album...

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