When 2008 ended, I posted all of my different end-of-the-year lists, and was, for the most part, on the same page as most of my colleagues. I did manage to miss out on one album – The Gaslight Anthem’s The ’59 Sound – and boy did I miss out. When I post my revised lists (which will be coming at the end of June), it’s sure to be very close to the top of the Best Albums of 2008. Anyway, when I did finally come around to listening to this album, it wasn’t long before it was in regular rotation on my iPod. They managed to work their way into the top four most-listened to artists on my last.fm page in less than a month. This was after I had decided that I wouldn’t be going to see them on March 29th. Since then, my mind changed.
It helped that they were bringing one of my favorite bands from last year, Good Old War, to town with them. Consisting of two former members of Days Away (the second band I ever saw live) and one from Unlikely Cowboy, Good Old War play a very listener friendly brand of folk rock reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel, but can hold their own on stage with flamboyant frontman Anthony Green of Circa Survive. As soon as their set started, I could tell they were going to be spot on musically. The vocal harmonies of the first four songs were flawless, the musicianship was indisputable (particularly Dan Shwartz’s guitar playing), but the eye-catching aspect of their set was the palpable fun they were having. Already being very familiar with their music, I expected to enjoy their set more than most of the crowd, but was pleasantly surprised to find everyone in the room paying very close attention, and applauding enthusiastically after each song. Clearly, many were impressed. The stand out from the set was a new song called “My Own Sinking Ship” (I asked Dan the title after the show), I literally caught myself laughing at the lyrics’ relevance in my personal life. It also featured Timmy Armstrong playing accordion, rather than his usual drumming. Saw Creek EP, to be released later this year, is sure to be a handsome addition to the bands small catalog. The songs that followed were just as enjoyable; the band seemed even more comfortable than they were when the set started.
set list:
Window
Weak Man
Just Another Day
I’m Not For You
Tell Me
My Own Sinking Ship (new song)
Coney Island
Looking For Shelter
Following Good Old War, a band called Heartless Bastards was on. Prior to the show, I knew nothing of them. I didn’t know what they looked like, sounded like, anything. I was 100% in the dark. When they took the stage, I was a bit surprised. The frontwoman reminds me of my own mother, only a tiny bit cooler (she can sing and play guitar, my mom can’t even drive). At the beginning of their set, I was enjoying it, but only enough to keep me from talking. I had my phone out, was only semi-paying attention, just kind of there. About halfway into the set though, they played a song called “The Mountain” that featured their bassist playing pedal steel guitar and their lead guitarist playing bass. It takes a lot for a song to get me really into it, to move me. That song did. After that the set really picked up and I was hooked. I could feel the intensity, and my sentiments were echoed by most of the audience.
And now, the reason we were all gathered in an old church on a Sunday night: The Gaslight Anthem. Set up was relatively quick, thanks to Gaslight’s hard working tech. They came out and jumped right into the set with “Great Expectations,” and I could tell it was going to be a good night. They blasted through several songs on The ’59 Sound before mixing a few of the standouts from Sink or Swim into the set. All of ’59 was played, save for “The Patient Ferris Wheel,” coincidentally one of my favorites on the album. Still, the set lacked nothing. Frontman Brian Fallon was clearly enveloped into his music, and everyone appreciated it. He meant every note he played, every word he sang, and sounded great in the process. All in all, while my mind wasn’t blown or anything, I was definitely stirred by the set. If you get the chance, and you’re a fan, take the time to go see the Gaslight Anthem. On that note, if you haven’t already, give The ’59 Sound a listen.
set list:
Great Expectations
High Lonesome
Old White Lincoln
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Casanova, Baby!
The ’59 Sound
We Came To Dance
Wooderson
Film Noir
Miles Davis & the Cool
1930
Boomboxes and Dictionaries
Meet Me By the River’s Edge
Here’s At Looking at You, Kid
The Backseat
encore:
Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
Stand By Me/I’da Called You Woody, Joe
Angry Johnny and the Radio
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