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9.2
43879
9.2 |
The AU Review
This record just solidifies the amazing talent held within these four men. Wiser than their age, and destined to inspire a generation of bands to come
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9.0
44398
9.0 |
DIY
Their roots will always run deep, but here the lyrics are a little more personal, the band a little more developed - it seems that this is the start of a new and exciting chapter for The Gaslight Anthem
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8.5
43878
8.5 |
BBC
The criticisms are minor – a couple of tracks slide back into familiar Americana, but even then there’s no sense of the band coasting. Instead they’ve come of age by striving for brilliance. Enthralling stuff
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8.3
44395
8.3 |
A.V. Club
There’s still a foundation of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty at the root of the group’s ringing hooks and gruff verse. But Fallon also summons a Rod Stewart rasp in “Too Much Blood,” not to mention a soulful Thin Lizzy vibe in the “oh-sha-la-la” chorus of “Here Comes My Man”
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8.0
44597
8.0 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
It doesn't quite spike with the sharp edges of old, but the passion is in a more intelligent place
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8.0
44504
8.0 |
NME
Still in thrall to their heroes, but on their fourth album frontman Brian Fallon finds his own voice. Print edition only
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8.0
44190
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
The band's style is earnest, but so heartfelt as to remain on the right side of hokey
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8.0
44226
8.0 |
State
Their previous three albums have been a steady climb to the top of American rock music. Handwritten announces their arrival
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7.8
44448
7.8 |
Paste Magazine
With Brendan O’Brien’s slick production and Fallon’s noted shift toward introspective lyrics, The Gaslight Anthem seems to have settled into a more mature sound
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7.0
44452
7.0 |
Blurt
On their fourth outing, the band sounds pretty much like... well, Gaslight Anthem
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7.0
43926
7.0 |
Uncut
For all the fine furies collected on Handwritten, the most memorable moments are those on which The Gaslight Anthem shift to lower gears
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7.0
44281
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
Handwritten is Gaslight's biggest-sounding, most straightforward album
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7.0
44834
7.0 |
The Digital Fix
A solid rock album, accessible enough for the mainstream yet still retaining some of the grit which made TGA so appealing in the first place
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6.0
44297
6.0 |
The Irish Times
Four albums in, with little sign of progression from fist-clenching choruses and brawny ballads, means that Handwritten sounds like just another hero-worshipping homage. Solid, but hardly stimulating
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6.0
44300
6.0 |
The Guardian
Never steps out of the shadows of their heroes, and may not take them where they want to be
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6.0
44326
6.0 |
Evening Standard
Bruce fans will clearly love it, others may be tougher to convince
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6.0
43927
6.0 |
Q
For all that this major label debut makes an accomplished job of getting louder and harder, it's also a good deal safer. Print edition only
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6.0
44478
6.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Some of Fallon’s strongest compositions to date, and while it ain’t punk, neither is The Gaslight Anthem. They’re full-on heartland rockers
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6.0
44267
6.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Chock-a-block with comfort food choruses
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6.0
44389
6.0 |
PopMatters
It’s revealing that the album’s best moments are those in which the Gaslight Anthem incorporate their influences rather than emulate them
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5.7
44485
5.7 |
Pitchfork
It might be more bearable if Fallon showed more of a sense of humor in his songwriting or had a vocal setting other than intense, but at the very least he's a hard romantic, which in this case can excuse a lot
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5.0
44790
5.0 |
Tone Deaf
Neither excitingly enthralling nor dreadfully dull
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4.0
44531
4.0 |
Spin
Some people may discern a kind of heroism in a band of men who derive satisfaction from competently executing a series of time-honored routines as they strive for a common goal. Some people may need a serious smack upside the head
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4.0
44403
4.0 |
Under The Radar
Seems about 10 years out of date, and releasing it whilst Springsteen is mid-tour only serves to heighten their aura of lightweight superfluousness
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4.0
43928
4.0 |
Mojo
It's as if they've made a musical cage of their youth and they need to flip the latch and get out of there. Print edition only
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4.0
44337
4.0 |
The Observer
Gaslight seem so hellbent on heroics, they often end up more Bon Jovi than Boss
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3.0
44688
3.0 |
God Is In The TV
No different to their previous three. If you still haven’t flogged your old Springsteen records on eBay then you might like it
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