Handwritten
by The Gaslight Anthem
  • Record Label: Mercury
  • Release Date: Jul 24, 2012
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. Q Magazine
    Aug 1, 2012
    60
    Handwritten is pure New Jersey rock, dripping urban romanticism, albeit with extra oomph on the power chords. [Aug 2012, p.105]
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  2. Consequence
    Jul 25, 2012
    60
    Handwritten houses some of Fallon's strongest compositions to date, and while it ain't punk, neither is The Gaslight Anthem.
  3. PopMatters
    Jul 24, 2012
    60
    In going from name (or lyric) checking their favorite bands to trying to actually sound like them, the Gaslight Anthem might have blurred the crucial line between inspiration and identity. None of this is to say that Handwritten isn't an often enjoyable, occasionally brilliant album, cause it assuredly is that.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 20, 2012
    60
    As long as sincerity still counts for something and melody remains king, we'll let these qualms lie and lap up a record that's chock-a-block with comfort food choruses.
  6. The Guardian
    Jul 19, 2012
    60
    Their fourth album never steps out of the shadows of their heroes, and may not take them where they want to be.
  7. Clash Music
    Jul 17, 2012
    60
    An honorable effort in what they do best.
  8. Pitchfork
    Jul 26, 2012
    57
    If in the past [Fallon] managed to transform similar icons [Ginsberg, Van Morrison] into a communal mythology, here it too often sounds like regurgitation, as though the reference were an end in itself.
  9. NOW Magazine
    Aug 2, 2012
    40
    After four albums of American girls, dirt roads and fingers in dust with the radio on, it's tough to overlook the clichés.
  10. Spin
    Jul 26, 2012
    40
    As a lyricist, Fallon has moved beyond bald cliché to bland commonplace.
  11. Under The Radar
    Jul 24, 2012
    40
    It seems about 10 years out of date, and releasing it whilst Springsteen is mid-tour only serves to heighten their aura of lightweight superfluousness.
  12. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 23, 2012
    40
    Gaslight seem so hellbent on heroics, they often end up more Bon Jovi than Boss [Springsteen].
  13. Mojo
    Jul 19, 2012
    40
    It buries some strong writing, singing and potential. [Aug 2012, p.96]
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Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. iRhythm
    Nov 5, 2015
    10
    The Gaslight Anthem have always been great at expressing themselves and getting to the bones of the nature of their music, utilizing forcefulThe Gaslight Anthem have always been great at expressing themselves and getting to the bones of the nature of their music, utilizing forceful guitar, heavy drums, and soulful vocals from frontman Brian Fallon. On their debut, "Sink or Swim", the band dips one footing in raw punk rock, while keeping another solely in the waters of Americana a la Tom Petty and, yes, Springsteen.

    Then came "The '59 Sound". This record improved on almost every front from its predecessor: it was more melodic, the songs contained more meaningful and personal lyrics, and it switched the genre up from "plain punk rock with a few acoustic songs" to hints of Soul, classic rock, and a streetwise shuffle ("Cassanova, Baby!").

    "American Slang" refined and brought the band's sound into the new millenium, marking the first Gaslight Anthem record to feel truly like a cohesive whole that sought to make one statement. Dabs of Motown ("The Diamond Church Street Choir") and soul ("The Queen of Lower Chelsea"), intermixed with the band's usual offering of Heart-On-Your-Tongue punk rock make up the album, topped off with the best closer the band has ever done, "We Did It When We Were Young."

    Throughout all these records, they have shown the true ability and mental capacity to capture what it is that makes music like this so great: spirit, heart, and driving chords. They've come so close to capturing true magic in the studio.

    But this record.

    This record is the culmination of everything they've tried to do, and producer Brendan O' Brien clearly sought to understand just what it is that makes this band tick before stepping into the recording booth. From the opening track, "45", the listener knows that he or she is in for a tour-de-force of emotion. Brian has never sounded better than on this track.

    Throughout hints of country blues on songs like "Keepsake" and "Biloxi Parish", to straight-up punk snippets like "Howl" and "Desire", the album keeps the listener's attention in place, and "Mae" make them cry, too. (I'm not apologizing for that.)

    The true highlight of the record, though, comes in the form of "Here Comes My Man". The opening guitars complement and work with each other so well, you might think they were destined to be together. The passion in Brian's vocals, paired with the melody and wide-open chorus provided by Alex Rosamalia and Brian, make a track so brilliant, so tear-glisteningly, so heart-breakingly beautiful, I would venture to call it one of the absolute best songs I, personally, have ever heard.

    Please. If you like rock n' roll, emotion, punk rock, or, hell, music in general, give this record a spin. It may be one of the best things you do this, or any, year.    … Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Jan 5, 2014
    8
    New Jersey's Springsteen worshippers produce a solid if slightly unadventurous rock album. As you listen through the record, it's clear thatNew Jersey's Springsteen worshippers produce a solid if slightly unadventurous rock album. As you listen through the record, it's clear that plenty of time went into the writing and structuring of the songs. The production of the record is well suited to the sound of the band and the band themselves do a good job when delivering the material. For me, the album's two strongest songs are found at the beginning and end of the record in "45" and "National Anthem", with "Too Much Blood" providing another highlight in the centre of the record. For the rest of the album the band are consistently good without ever getting the creative juices fully going. I like the record but am a little confused by it I'm not sure if the production makes the band sound better than they actually are. They sound the part and you get the feeling that these guys do have a really great record in them but on repeated listens to this it lacks a little substance. Still enjoyable though.… Full Review »
  3. jmarkfin
    Sep 17, 2013
    7
    The Gaslight Anthem's weakest album to date still delivers some really awesome tracks with a high repeatability. It's not their best, butThe Gaslight Anthem's weakest album to date still delivers some really awesome tracks with a high repeatability. It's not their best, but it'll certainly do for now.… Full Review »
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