By Josh McCann

When I first heard the Gaslight Anthem’s new single “Positive Charge ” back in April—I realized how much I’d missed this band. Has it really been 9 years since they released an album?! Their new record “History Books” is a fantastic return, marking a great new chapter for the New Jersey rock band. There’s hard rockers, awesome lyrics, quiet moments, and surprises. It’s so good to have them back!

I became a fan back in 2009, shortly after they released their breakthrough LP, “The ‘59 Sound.” The album had strong influences of Bruce Springsteen (Yes!!). He’s joined them onstage in the past, and he’s featured here on their new record (more on that craziness later).

I also saw them live during the “American Slang” tour at Mr. Smalls in Pittsburgh. Incredible show. Me and my friends jumped up and down with the packed crowd, singing about old haunts! In 2012 they released “Handwritten” which had their biggest single yet: “45.” Then in 2014, I attended the “Get Hurt” tour at Stage AE (Pittsburgh, again.) It would be the last time they’d make a record until now.

In July they posted a new single, featuring Bruce Springsteen! This was the biggest news ever considering his music has been the soundtrack to my life (anyone that knows me knows how much I love Bruce Springsteen). Singer Brian Fallon told Rolling Stone about how it came about. “When Bruce Springsteen said I should write a duet for us, I think my head exploded,” he said. No pressure! “History Books” became the lead single. It’s a standout track on the album. The upbeat song builds up, with Bruce taking a verse. It leads to both of them singing, “When I think of it now, it just brings me down.” This song doesn’t get us down, that’s for sure!

“Little Fires” is very reminiscent of some classic Gaslight Anthem. I couldn’t help but smile when this one came on. It feels like they didn’t miss a beat since they left. You also have the strong opening track “Spider Bites,” with lead guitarist Alex Rosamilia playing a great guitar riff. “Positive charge” is an energetic rocked out jam with lyrics about appreciating the moment. “How I’ve missed you, how I’ve missed you/And it’s good to be alive,” Fallon sings.

One of my favs on the record is “Autumn.” It has such a cool guitar groove intro—very unexpected. Have they ever done anything like this?! Fallon channels his inner Petty with, “I wish that I was on a freeway/Just flying along.” For me, the outro is a highlight of the record, with lyrics, “Black jeans in autumn, sun going down/ Black jeans in autumn, leaves falling,” taking us home. So great!

It feels like there’s a balance between faster and slower tempos. “I live in the room above her” has a really cool tempo—drummer Benny Horowitz and bassist Alex Levine take this song to new heights.

I keep going back to the song “History Books.” Everyone can relate to the lyrics “Time keeps rollin’ us on.” Years go by fast. Last year I saw them at the Roxian in Pittsburgh. It was their first time in Pittsburgh since the “Get Hurt” tour in 2014. I waited in line and bought my Gaslight Anthem tour date t-shirt. The line was really long. Maybe fans are more grateful for merch these days? Maybe they are older and and have kids and are happy be out of the house! During the show there was a lot of energy in the sold out crowd, with everyone singing the words and cheering. Near the end they played “The ’59 Sound” and all of us jumped in the air to the chorus. Listening to the new material, I can’t help but think about the memories it will provide down the road. You have to live in the moment, and turn up these songs.