The Gaslight
Anthem released the 7” vinyl single for “45” today and man, is it stellar all
around. We’ve already had some time to sit and enjoy the bombastic tune since
both Rolling Stone and Zane Lowe debuted it at the end of April, but it
honestly sounds even more amazing on vinyl. “45” is vintage Gaslight and the
all out hugeness of the chorus continues to show Brian’s growth as a bona fide
rock & roll songwriter. “45” has whet my appetite even more for Handwritten (out July 24 on Mercury) and
I can’t wait until it releases. Not only is the song itself pretty incredible,
the packaging for “45” is pretty freaking sweet as well. The front cover has
the cool “faces in the broken record” artwork and they went old school on the
back by printing all the lyrics for “45” on it. The actual record is classic
black wax with the larger jukebox style center hole and the label sticker
matches the color scheme of the front artwork. Like I said, classy all
around.
As for the
B-side, Gaslight cut a killer cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “You
Got Lucky” and it’s quite the rockin’ tip of the hat. Opting for a pretty
straight ahead take on it, Brian and the boys turned in an excellent version
that paid homage to the original, while still sprinkling in enough of
themselves to make it special. The stabbing piano, synthesizer lines and wobbly
guitar solo are all their from The Heartbreakers version, but Brian’s intense
vocals, Benny’s spectacular drum tone, Alex’s tasty keys and Alex’s smooth bass
lines perfectly stamp this as a Gaslight performance. If you listen closely
enough, it even sounds like Brian takes on some of Tom’s “Pettyisms” every once in a while, especially in the line “You better watch what you do to me.” It’s totally to be
expected for a song this deeply imprinted on the musical collective
consciousness though. I’ve heard Gaslight cover Tom before when they played a
stirring cover of “Refugee” at Mercy Lounge back in 2009, so it’s really cool
to have another Heartbreaker tune in the vault to go along with it. Sonically,
visually and thematically, the “45” single is a beautiful piece of wax.
Not to get
all “awards acceptance speech” on here, but thanks to Grimey’s for having it in
stock and thanks to my awesome girl Amanda for going to pick it up for me while
I was stuck at work. Sorry fellas, she’s taken for life!
"45" - The Gaslight Anthem ("45" single)
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