After a sterling opening from Swedish rockers Mando Diao- admittedly having walked in two songs from the end- the HMV Forum is packed to its picturesque rafters. Their set closer ‘Dance With Somebody’ had the crowd formatively moving their limbs in accordance to these young rockers.
…But really there’s only one reason why we’re here, isn’t there? To see the most coveted band of 2009; The Gaslight Anthem. The buzz that’s surrounding this New Jersey quartet is somewhat vast, yet, wholly deserved for their explosive bursts of anthemic tunes, soulful streams of beatific punk at it’s most potent and their heartfelt blues that makes your heart skip two beats, not just one. They’ve been taken to the American hearts as the predecessors of a certain Bruce Springsteen, they already have a job on their hands to meet the hype that they are being greeted with after second album ‘59 Sound’.
Brian Fallon has always come across a ostensible, working class, humble fella, and tonight is no exception- a beaming smile engulfs his face as a raucous ovation bellows from the belly of the Forum, as he emerges from behind the curtain. And his smile widens further as he sees the venues packed with TGA fans and Springsteen fans awaiting a look at their idols successors. Atmospherically, this is probably the height of what I, personally, have ever experienced at this historic venue. And, haven’t been quite this excited about a gig for many a year.
And, yes, it does take the guys a couple of songs to hit their peak. But once the opening riff of ‘Old White Lincoln’ swirls around the venue, it culminates in mass madness and they’ve arrived. As eagerly anticipated this has been, this is the time for catharsis, and all inhibitions are lost in a moment. ’59 Sound’ begins and it’s a continual snowball effect, rolling guitars and sumptuous rock vocals “The chains I’ve been hearing for most of life, did you hear the ’59 Sound coming from your Grandfather’s radio” seemingly blurted out of everyone’s mouths, to the amusement of Fallon.
A cover of ‘Stand By Me’ morphs into ’Miles Davis & the Cool’ triumphantly causing communal waves of joy within the crowd. Their a raggedy bunch though; Fallon emblazoned with tattoo’s; Alex Levine’s jolting and robotic jerks mimics Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Bruno, he like Bruno, clearly holds himself in high esteem; Alex Rosimillia hunches over his guitar throughout with his mane cover his face. But it‘s not about the aesthetics of The Gaslight Anthem, it goes much deeper than that.
They’ve got the songs (’Great Expectations’, ’The Patient Ferris Wheel’, ’High Lonesome’) there is no doubt. This summer is sure to be all about the prophetic rise of The Gaslight Anthem. My voice has left me, but, The Gaslight Anthem have not…Absolutely, categorically, one of the best bands ever to perform in front of my eyes. Mesmerising!
