Handwritten by The Gaslight Anthem

5.7 / 10

In the past Brian Fallon managed to transform his icons into communal mythology. He sounds content to let his references do the heavy lifting on the Gaslight Anthem's fourth album, a collection that has its share of flaws and saving graces.

5.7 / 10

In the past Brian Fallon managed to transform his icons into communal mythology. He sounds content to let his references do the heavy lifting on the Gaslight Anthem's fourth album, a collection that has its share of flaws and saving graces.

B

If The Gaslight Anthem was ever thinking of evolving, now would be a good time. The final two songs on the band’s last album, 2010’s American Slang, hinted that frontman Brian Fallon was willing to pull punches as well as pump fists. Elsie, the 2011 debut by his downbeat side project, The Horrible Crowes, drove that…

B

If The Gaslight Anthem was ever thinking of evolving, now would be a good time. The final two songs on the band’s last album, 2010’s American Slang, hinted that frontman Brian Fallon was willing to pull punches as well as pump fists. Elsie, the 2011 debut by his downbeat side project, The Horrible Crowes, drove that…

7.8 / 10

Change is scary.

7.8 / 10

Change is scary.

4 / 5

Check out our album review of Artist's Handwritten on Rolling Stone.com.

4.0 / 10

It's compulsory to mention the name Springsteen when talking about The Gaslight Anthem, right?

4.0 / 10

It's compulsory to mention the name Springsteen when talking about The Gaslight Anthem, right?

6 / 10

It’s worrying when a band begins a record with their latest single - are they trying to ease us in before a disappointing fall?

6 / 10

It’s worrying when a band begins a record with their latest single - are they trying to ease us in before a disappointing fall?

These New Jersey rockers overdo the heroics in misguided emulation of the Boss, writes <strong>Kitty Empire</strong>

6 / 10

The fourth album from these potential stadium-fillers lumbers when it should be nimble, reckons <strong>Dave Simpson</strong>

65 %

Album Reviews: The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten

4.0 / 5

The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten review: In the backseat, we're just trying to find some room to breathe.

4.0 / 5

The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten review: In the backseat, we're just trying to find some room to breathe.

Handwritten Mercury ***

New Jersey's other favourite sons mix big rock choruses and wistful intimacy. CD review by Lisa-Marie Ferla

7 / 10

Fourth album signals a slight shift. But is it in the right direction?

7 / 10

Fourth album signals a slight shift. But is it in the right direction?