The Gaslight Anthem
The B-Sides
SideOneDummy Records
Street: 01.28
The Gaslight Anthem = The Bouncing Souls + The Replacements + The Weakerthans
After the release of Singles Collection, it was only fitting that The Gaslight Anthem follow that up with the more informal B-Sides. While, yes, the band has gained its reputation as a rough and raw rock act that would make B stop in his tracks, they’ve always managed to keep their material tight with a straightforward approach. This is the curtain being drawn back, at least a little. Full of covers, unreleased material and outtakes, this is a chance for fans of the band to dive a little deeper, but take caution: If you haven’t at least gone through Gaslight’s more polished releases, this is not for you, and is not designed to be your first Gaslight experience. They take a shot at The Rolling Stones’ “Tumbling Dice,” which is an uphill battle they manage quite well. Most of the uncovered material is good, but unnecessary to a passing listener. –James Orme