The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt
Review by Theresa Pham
When lead singer Brian Fallon stated that Get Hurt would be “completely different than anything we have ever done before,” in last May’s issue of Rolling Stone magazine, he was not kidding. The Gaslight Anthem’s fifth studio album Get Hurt is an incredible shift musically, but also a hard album to accept for many fans. The album is much more subdued, but still has little snippets of songs that could have easily belonged in a previous album. With that being said, Get Hurt explores a new pure vulnerability that had not been touched by the band; almost as if they were a completely different band.
The album opens with their commanding single “Stay Vicious.” Between the fuzzy heavy metal guitar riffs and stomping verses, the revved-up song is easy to love. The band then moves to a Pearl Jam-ey groovier sound with “1000 Years.” Next up on the album is their title track “Get Hurt,” which serves as a slow introduction to their new calmer atmosphere. Just when the drums are done building and about to hit their peak, the band takes it back down instead of letting the sound explode. But it is not until “Stray Paper,” produced by Mike Crossey, that we fully understand the latest version of Gaslight Anthem. The song takes anthemic aspect of Fallon’s voice that most are familiar with, but instead placed it upon a brand new musical accompaniment.
Though the album overall is much dimmer, there are still a couple loud, sing-along choruses that can be found. “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” and “Ain’t That a Shame” are the perfect songs if you fell in love with the raspy and upbeat energetic tunes from their older albums. The one song I was a bit taken aback by was “Underneath The Ground.” I respect the song and have grown to like it after multiple listens, but it is just far too restrained and ambitious. The song does gets an A for effort.
The best of Get Hurt does not happen until just before the end of the album with lovesick ballad “Break Your Heart.” The song might be my new all time favorite Gaslight Anthem song, well definitely top 5 at the very least. The first-person heartbreaking emotional depth is breathtaking. “Break Your Heart” has all the best qualities of their acoustic tracks, but with an added overwhelming sense of soul bearing nostalgia. The song is also dark, comfortable and soft, like sipping apple cider with a plush blanket draped over your shoulders in front of a stunning bonfire. With lyrics as tragic and romantic as, “If you knew how I loved you/If I showed you my scars/If I played you my favorite song/Lying here in the dark,” I guarantee Fallon will steal and break your heart into a million tear drenched pieces by the end of the song.
Get Hurt is not just a heartbreak album. Get Hurt is an invitation on a mysterious journey. The album challenges the longtime fan and will have them re-evaluating their love for the band. The band has experienced so much since their first album and Get Hurt truly reflects this growth. Get Hurt is full of wisdom and Fallon’s voice is more worn than ever before. His softer Eddie Vedder tone compliments the reserved mood much better that the Bruce Springsteen sound we are use to.
Take the leap and join The Gaslight Anthem on their journey into this new chapter. The band has such so much more to offer.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “Break Your Heart,” “Get Hurt,” and “Stray Paper”
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