9th September another dearly awaited release came out across Germany. I was in the lucky position to have it two days early due to the fact that I had ordered it in England where the release date was 6th September. The bands name: The Horrible Crowes, which features as member Mr. Brian Fallon and Mr. Ian Perkins. Whereas Brian Fallon is sure known as the singer of the band „Gaslight Anthem“ the genuine fan might not be aware that Ian Perkins is the guitar tech of Brian for exactly that band. So already the notice that Brian would start a new solo project with his guitar tech raised high expectations into that upcoming release.
When the first demos of „Elsie“ could be heared it was absolutely clear that this would not at all be anyhting similar than the music Brian is „normally“ doing with his main band. „Elsie“ contains 12 songs that are totally different from any Gaslight Anthem song and they would definitely not fit on a Gaslight Anthem album. The songs are mostly much calmer and slower, more or less based on Brians voice. I’ve already listened to it some days in my car on the way to work and so far I can say it’s beautiful music. A kind of music that I would rather place in a dark little bar or little club than in a concert venue. Bittersweetness or sadness would be the feelings it carries for me.
The first release „Behold The Hurricane“ is definitely the most uptempo song on the whole record and possibly the one that comes closest to that what is known from Gaslight Anthem. I would not recommend „Elsie“ to fans that mainly stick to the first Gaslight Anthem release. Most of them will directly start to complain and I’m sick of those discussion about „selling out / mainstream“. And there’s no way to compare it with any Gaslight Anthem album. For anybody who likes high quality deeply touching music with a raspy voice I can only recommend to give it a listen. It’s a wonderful record and I’m quite curious how some of those songs will sound like if they are played during Revival Tour, maybe featuring Chuck, Dan or Dave in them. I believe this is going to be awesome!
For everybody who wants to give it a listen with one or two tracks to decide I’d recommend „Sugar“, „Ladykiller“ & „Black Betty And The Moon“ which are clearly sticking out for me. Followed by „Go Tell Everybody“ or „Crush“
Tracklist:
- Last Rites
- Sugar
- Behold The Hurricane
- I Witnessed A Crime
- Go Tell Everybody
- Cherry Blossoms
- Ladykiller
- Crush
- Mary Ann
- Black Betty And The Moon
- Blood Loss
- I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together