Another Springsteen homage? Seems like we’ve brutally beaten the Boss’ horse to death, but Jersey (where else?) trio Gaslight Anthem makes a damn good case for one more go around before we quit the E. Street Band and move on to nostalgically pining for another pop icon, say, Ric Ocasek. The band’s last record, “The ’59 Sound,” for all its supposed angst, is mostly just fun as hell. Sweeping, catchy choruses, reverb to the max, and harmonic, borderline-emo guitar riffs (which makes me nostalgic for high school more than anything) push Gaslight Anthem past any blue-collar clichés. Lead singer Brian Fallon’s gravelly voice lands somewhere between Springsteen and Brandon Flowers impersonating Springsteen, and though the lyrics focus on some retro Hollywood fantasy—classic cars, 7th Avenue diners, dressing like Elvis and “Casablanca” references—Fallon sounds genuine enough to not come off as a total douche or a shallow romantic. (Andy Seifert)
April 3 at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake, (312)929-2022, 8pm.
