The Gaslight Anthem - "The '59 Sound"

*MP3: The Gaslight Anthem - "The '59 Sound"

It’s so easy to like The Gaslight Anthem. It’s been overly documented they employ a Springsteen-goes-punk vibe, but honestly, that formula’s supremely bad-ass. They were spawned via the Warped Tour sect, but hipsters have latched on like barnacles and this SPIN Session should do little to quell that adoration. Why? Because lead singer Brian Fallon covers The Replacements’ classic “Left of Dial” off 1985’s “Tim.” It’s a solid to above-average cover and his pre-song slobber session on The Replacements further cements how relevant their legacy is.

From there, Fallon tackles a couple stripped down, acoustic numbers off The Gaslight Anthem’s superb sophomore release “The ’59 Sound” and it’s impossible to not to dwell on his similarities to Paul Westerberg. Both write songs like they’re weathered old men, both have an underlying sincere sensitivity and both grow from punkish roots. That’s not see say Fallon is even fit to carry Westerberg’s spit bucket, but it’s encouraging to see young bands that aren’t drowning in scenester irony and craft straightforward, smart rock ‘n roll.

View their Spin session here.

(Jay Boller)