The Gaslight Anthem Band • Page 265

I’d be sad if they remastered SOS. I mean, it’d be whatever, but it sounds like such a specific moment for that band. Like erasing a child’s baby photos because they got older.

 

The first two times I saw them headline in 2009 they played almost all of 59 Sound and SOS each time. It was absolutely magical. TGA, Murder by Death, Loved Ones and Frank Turner is probably my favorite show of all time.

 

There is no reason both the original and a hypothetical remaster couldn’t coexist.

 

RIP The Loved Ones

 

I will say, I've definitely grown fonder of Sink or Swim over time. Now, those songs just remind me of being tipsy and getting tossed around in mostpits at Gaslight shows.

 

middle album for the band in my ranking

 

i don't really love handwritten as much as most but jesus christ is mulholland drive a fucking song and a half

 

God. I live 40 mins north of detroit and i had already bought tickets for the them with Rise Against in Grand rapids i think the day before. Then i see they added that show out of the blue....with them as the featured act...and i was so mad. Then i saw the setlist and i was furious lol. What a great show that was i'm sure.

 

The GR show I think was 2-3 nights later. My brother and I had thought about going to that, but then got lucky with the Detroit announcement. Definitely still on my top 10 shows list.

 

Sink or Swim is a great record but easily ranked 4th of 5 for me.

American Slang is my favorite
59 Sound
Handwritten
SoS
Get Hurt

 

59 Sound is tops. I go back and forth on American Slang and Handwritten for the second slot. AS is the better album, I think, but Handwritten means more to me. The other two rotate for the fourth and fifth slots.

 

I got into gaslight at the time american slang was releasing, so as the newer record i tended to gravitate a little more towards it but, 59 Sound is more 1b to 1a than it is a true 2.

 

59 Sound
American Slang
Sink or Swim
Handwritten
Get Hurt

 

59’ Sound
Handwritten

American Slang
Get Hurt
Sink or Swim

This also should by no means disrespect Sink or Swim. It’s a good album.

Handwritten might be one of the most important and meaningful albums to me, but I still put 59’ Sound higher because it’s just, well, we all know lol

 

1. 59 Sound
2. Handwritten

3. American Slang

4. Sink or Swim
5. Get Hurt

4 and 5 flip flop.

That said i love both sink or swim and get hurt (especially if you tinker with the b-sides).

 

I know this seems like a total cop-out, but I honestly think these guys have an insanely consistent discography where each album has its own strengths. Like yeah obviously Sink or Swim's production isn't quite up to par with the rest, but they really did not have the money to afford that type of production at the time, yet the songs and the heart are both there in abundance. I even put the Señor and the Queen EP in their discography in my statement.

Around the time that it came out I would have said that Get Hurt was a slight step down for them, but in the years since I listen to that album more than any of the others, with the disclaimer that I am counting "Have Mercy", "Sweet Morphine", "Halloween" & "Mama's Boys" as part of the album. If we are strictly talking about the 12-track album as originally released then I would say Get Hurt is a dip in quality for them and their weakest album, but those songs are there and even Brian Fallon has said they should have been on the album.

 

To make it more impressive, never forget 59’ Sound, American Slang, Elsie, and Handwritten all came out in a 3 year span.

 

i still maintain the humble opinion that Elsie is the best thing Brian ever did

 

59 Sound
Handwritten
Sink or Swim
American Slang
Get Hurt

 

59
Handwritten
Slang
Sink
Hurt

They’re all very good

 

my dangerous Handwritten opinion is that is has so many songs I don't really care to return to I almost wonder why Get Hurt is universally shit on as much as it is when it has about the same amount of songs as Handwritten that I care to really return to.


finally got that one off the ol' chest.

 

yep so so true

 

also the songwriting and energy on SoS more than make up for whatever production gripes. one of the only albums where they let the guitar actually cook.

 

Honestly depending on the day any of their albums except for sink or swim can be my favorite. I think Get Hurt is super underrated and is actually their most creative and interesting album. If we start to include Elsie and the Brian solo albums, things get really difficult to rank...turns out he's a wonderful songwriter! Anyway, here's my ranking today...it's like 75 and sunny in Chicago so that affects it for sure. P.S. I've listened to Positive Charge every single day since it has come out and I absolutely adore it:

1. Handwritten
2. 59 Sound
3. American Slang
4. Get Hurt
5. Senor and the Queen (I feel like it should be part of the conversation because it's incredible and I have a Blue Jeans & White T Shirts tattoo)
6. Sink or Swim

 

59 Sound
American Slang
Sink or Swim
Handwritten
Senor and the Queen
Get Hurt

Also American Slang is perfect and We Did It When We Were Young is a perfect closer.