American Slang
by The Gaslight Anthem
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 48
  3. Negative: 2 out of 48

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  1. jmarkfin
    Sep 17, 2013
    8
    Though not an instant classic like its predecessor, American Slang is possibly catchier and contains a little bit more to smile about. The diversity of the album is a great feature and many of the songs can be counted among TGA's greatest.
  2. cal234ey
    Jul 26, 2013
    10
    American Slang is a fairly short album and for that reason, every single song on the album really aims to be a huge anthem. This is well achieved by The Gaslight Anthem and the only song to deviate from this formula is We Did It When We Were Young which is my favourite track on this album closely followed by The Spirit of Jazz and Orphans.
  3. YSJgamer
    Jan 3, 2013
    10
    Brilliant band, brilliant album. If you enjoy good music that has a genuine sound and great lyrics then you will love The Gaslight Anthem. I must have listened to this album over a hundred times and I'm not bored yet.
  4. Awestlakemusic
    May 15, 2012
    8
    By far the best release from The Gaslight Anthem, after two albums full of inconsistent yet (at times) entertaining songs throughout, They have finally created a record with some structure and consistency in genre. Simple yet effective guitar work combined with Fallon's peak performance vocally make for some incredible songs. American Slang, Boxer, The Diamond Church Street Choir and SheBy far the best release from The Gaslight Anthem, after two albums full of inconsistent yet (at times) entertaining songs throughout, They have finally created a record with some structure and consistency in genre. Simple yet effective guitar work combined with Fallon's peak performance vocally make for some incredible songs. American Slang, Boxer, The Diamond Church Street Choir and She Loves you are my standout picks from the album, although you will have a hard time finding a bad song on American Slang.… Expand
  5. Vampire25
    Jan 23, 2011
    9
    American Slang is a great album. It's a different sounding from The 59' Sound. Not as good as The 59' Sound but pretty damn close. Every track sounds like a single. The opening track "American Slang" is a great start to this album. "Orphans" gets you going right from the beginning from the track. And "We Did It When We Were Young" is a great ending song the this amazing album. All In All,American Slang is a great album. It's a different sounding from The 59' Sound. Not as good as The 59' Sound but pretty damn close. Every track sounds like a single. The opening track "American Slang" is a great start to this album. "Orphans" gets you going right from the beginning from the track. And "We Did It When We Were Young" is a great ending song the this amazing album. All In All, American Slang shows us story of raw emotion and it all sounds great. A-… Expand
  6. Philip
    Aug 12, 2010
    10
    This is a fantastic album. I wasn't sure they could pull off a worthy sequel to The '59 Sound, but they managed. Favourite album of 2010, can't wait to sing these tunes at Reading Festival.
  7. Mel@T
    Jun 15, 2010
    8
    Another great album by these guys. Not as immediately catchy as 59 sound, but give it a couple of listens if you're at first disappointed and you'll warm up to it.
  8. bkkhan
    Jun 15, 2010
    9
    The Gaslight Anthem are simply a fun band--their music is jam-packed with catchy hooks and choruses, and their music is often joyful. This is really the sound of summer!
  9. PB
    Jun 15, 2010
    10
    Even better than The '59 Sound. This album is fantastic and The Gaslight Anthem are set to take the summer music scene by storm.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Kerrang!
    80
    American Slang stands on its own two feet with eyes fixed on new horizons, its chief architect focused less on history, more on his story, as he tries to make sense of new realities after his world has been turned upside down. [12 Jun 2010, p.50]
  2. Austin Chronicle
    89
    American Idiot and Born in the U.S.A. both pave the way for American Slang, and as the quartet's third album, it's Gaslight Anthem's Born To Run.
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  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    93
    American Slang takes the best of what the band has shown they can do, and moves it into early '60's Motown, combining it with a rich Springsteen/Strummer sound (which is just how Fallon will always be; it works for him, get over it) over a soulful rhythm section, with sprinkles of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Smokey Robinson in there for good measure.
    Read full review
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