The '59 Sound
Encyclopedia
The '59 Sound is the second studio album by The Gaslight Anthem
, released on August 19, 2008 on SideOneDummy Records
.
In December 2008, eMusic
named The '59 Sound the best album of 2008. NME
rated it as the 47th best album of the year. The title track
was number 62 on Rolling Stone
In July 2009, following Bruce Springsteen
's guest appearances with the band at Glastonbury
and Hyde Park
, sales of the album doubled.
The song "Here's Looking At You, Kid" was used in the Chuck
episode "Chuck Versus the Tooth
".
, guitarist Alex Rosamilia noted that, "For Sink or Swim, we had a week or so and what we brought to the studio. For [this] last record we had about 5 weeks and quite the arsenal of gear to tear through. Which did lead to a couple ideas I don't think we would've had otherwise."
was released on July 22, featuring the title track and the song "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" on the B-side. "Old White Lincoln" was released as the 2nd single
on December 1, 2008 in the UK
. Opening track "Great Expectations" was released as the 3rd single
in the UK
on March 23, 2009.
The album was simultaneously released on vinyl
. The Green Hell Exclusive was limited to 300 copies. The second most limited color, white (with only 500 copies pressed) completely sold out in its first few hours of availability on Vinyl Collective's pre-order page. The third most limited color, blue (limited to 1,000 copies) has also sold out. The album was also pressed on the standard black (see this website for more info on the LP's color pressings).
Bonus track
The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, consisting of Brian Fallon , Alex Rosamilia , Alex Levine and Benny Horowitz...
, released on August 19, 2008 on SideOneDummy Records
SideOneDummy Records
SideOneDummy Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label whose roster focuses mostly on punk and related genres. Founded in 1995 by Joe Sib and Bill Armstrong, who continue to run it today, the label has built a reputation for its diverse roster of artists ranging from third wave ska...
.
In December 2008, eMusic
EMusic
eMusic is an online music and audiobook store that operates by subscription. It is headquartered in New York City with an office in London and owned by Dimensional Associates. As of September 2008 eMusic has over 400,000 subscribers....
named The '59 Sound the best album of 2008. NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
rated it as the 47th best album of the year. The title track
The '59 Sound (song)
"The '59 Sound" is a 2008 song by American rock band The Gaslight Anthem. Written by the band and produced by Ted Hutt, it is the title track of the band's second full-length album. Released as the album's lead single, the song reached the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in early 2009...
was number 62 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
In July 2009, following Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
's guest appearances with the band at Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
and Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
, sales of the album doubled.
The song "Here's Looking At You, Kid" was used in the Chuck
Chuck (TV series)
Chuck is an action-comedy/spy-drama television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" named Chuck, played by Zachary Levi, who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the Central...
episode "Chuck Versus the Tooth
Chuck Versus the Tooth
"Chuck Versus the Tooth" is the 16th episode of Chuck third season, and originally aired on May 10, 2010. When Chuck struggles with disturbing dreams, he believes his most recent one predicts danger for a visiting head of state. Beckman, however, is unconvinced and assigns Chuck to meet with a CIA...
".
Recording
Regarding the differences between The '59 Sound and their first full-length album, Sink or SwimSink or Swim (Gaslight Anthem album)
Sink or Swim is the debut studio album by The Gaslight Anthem, released May 29, 2007 through XOXO Records.-Track listing:# "Boomboxes and Dictionaries" – 3:11...
, guitarist Alex Rosamilia noted that, "For Sink or Swim, we had a week or so and what we brought to the studio. For [this] last record we had about 5 weeks and quite the arsenal of gear to tear through. Which did lead to a couple ideas I don't think we would've had otherwise."
Release
A 7" vinyl singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
was released on July 22, featuring the title track and the song "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" on the B-side. "Old White Lincoln" was released as the 2nd single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on December 1, 2008 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Opening track "Great Expectations" was released as the 3rd single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on March 23, 2009.
The album was simultaneously released on vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. The Green Hell Exclusive was limited to 300 copies. The second most limited color, white (with only 500 copies pressed) completely sold out in its first few hours of availability on Vinyl Collective's pre-order page. The third most limited color, blue (limited to 1,000 copies) has also sold out. The album was also pressed on the standard black (see this website for more info on the LP's color pressings).
Track listing
- "Great Expectations" – 3:05
- "The '59 SoundThe '59 Sound (song)"The '59 Sound" is a 2008 song by American rock band The Gaslight Anthem. Written by the band and produced by Ted Hutt, it is the title track of the band's second full-length album. Released as the album's lead single, the song reached the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in early 2009...
" – 3:09 - "Old White Lincoln" – 3:23
- "High Lonesome" – 3:05
- "Film Noir" – 3:29
- "Miles Davis & The Cool" – 4:11
- "The Patient Ferris Wheel" (featuring Dicky BarrettDicky BarrettRichard Michael Barrett , better known as Dicky Barrett, is the frontman of Ska punk band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and the announcer for Jimmy Kimmel Live...
) – 3:34 - "Casanova, Baby!" – 2:57
- "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" – 3:30
- "Meet Me by the River's Edge" (featuring Chris WollardChris WollardChris Wollard is a singer and guitarist in the band Hot Water Music from Gainesville, Florida. He's also a member of The Draft.Other Gainesville-based projects in which Wollard has participated include Baroque , The Blacktop Cadence, The Cros and, most notably, Rumbleseat, alongside fellow Hot...
) – 3:19 - "Here's Looking at You, Kid" – 3:36
- "The Backseat" – 4:14
Bonus track
- "Once Upon a Time" – 3:58 (Robert Bradley's Blackwater SurpriseRobert Bradley's Blackwater SurpriseRobert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise is an American band. It formed in 1994 when former members of the band Second Self met a blind street performer by the name of Robert Bradley. Robert Bradley was born in Alabama, but gained musical experience and spirit by singing as a child at The Alabama...
cover) (iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
-only bonus track)
Singles
- "The '59 Sound" (July 22, 2008)
- b/w: "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues"
- "Old White Lincoln" (December 1, 2008)
- b/w: "The '59 Sound" (live acoustic on KEXP)
- "Great Expectations" (March 23, 2009)
- b/w: "Miles Davis & The Cool" (live acoustic on KEXP) / "Great Expectations" (live acoustic at Y-ROCK)
- "The '59 Sound" (June 15, 2009)
- b/w: "State of Love and TrustState of Love and Trust"State of Love and Trust" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. Featuring lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music co-written by guitarist Mike McCready and bassist Jeff Ament, "State of Love and Trust" first appeared on the soundtrack to the 1992 film, Singles...
" (live Pearl JamPearl JamPearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
cover) / "We Came to Dance" (live, from Sink or SwimSink or Swim (Gaslight Anthem album)Sink or Swim is the debut studio album by The Gaslight Anthem, released May 29, 2007 through XOXO Records.-Track listing:# "Boomboxes and Dictionaries" – 3:11...
)
- b/w: "State of Love and Trust
- "The Backseat" (September 21, 2009)
- digital download-only track
Personnel
- Brian FallonBrian FallonBrian Fallon is an American musician. Fallon is one of the founding members of the band The Gaslight Anthem. He plays guitar and provides lead vocals for the band. He is currently working on a side project called The Horrible Crowes....
- vocals, guitars - Alex Rosamilia - guitar, vocals, Wollensack
- Alex Levine - bass, vocals
- Benny Horowitz - drums, percussion, tubular bells, tambourine, garbage cans, chains
Song references
The album's booklet features complete lyrics. The following list of references are uncredited in the liner notes.- "Great Expectations" contains the lines "It's funny how the night moves / Humming a song from 1962" from "Night MovesNight Moves (song)"Night Moves" is a song written and performed by Bob Seger, from his 1976 album Night Moves. Released as a single in December 1976, it eventually reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart...
" by Bob SegerBob SegerRobert Clark "Bob" Seger is an American rock and roll singer-songwriter, guitarist and pianist.As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded as Bob Seger and the Last Heard and Bob Seger System throughout the 1960s...
. - "Old White Lincoln" contains the line "I lit a cigarette on a parking meter" from "Talkin' World War III Blues" by Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
. Also contains the line "Baby darling, we will be, in the cold cold ground." from the Tom WaitsTom WaitsThomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
' song "Cold, Cold Ground". It also contains a reference to Waits' "Ol' 55". - "High Lonesome" contains the lines "MariaMaria (character from Counting Crows songs)Maria is a recurring character in the songs written by Adam Duritz, the songwriter and lead singer of Counting Crows. Maria has appeared in the lyrics of four Counting Crows songs and in two other songs written by Duritz, and has fueled speculation and debate among fans...
came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hands" and a variation of the following line about "a boy who looks like Elvis" from "Round Here" by Counting CrowsCounting CrowsCounting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
; the line "There were 'Southern Accents' on the radio" refers to the Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
1985 song and album of the same nameSouthern AccentsSouthern Accents is the sixth album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, released in 1985.The album's first single, "Don't Come Around Here No More," cowritten by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video featured Alice in Wonderland imagery...
; the line "At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet" is taken from "I'm on Fire" by Bruce SpringsteenBruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
. The title of the song likely refers to a phrase coined by John Cohen. - "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" contains a play on the line "But not me, baby" from "Yer So Bad" by Tom PettyTom PettyThomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
. Petty is also name-droppedName-droppingName-dropping is the practice of mentioning important people or institutions within a conversation, story, song, online identity, or other communication. The term often connotes an attempt to impress others; it is usually regarded negatively, and under certain circumstances may constitute a breach...
in the lyrics. The title of the song is also a novel by Tom Robbins. "Drivin' old men crazy" is a reference to "The Boys are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy. - "Meet Me by the River's Edge" contains the line "No surrender, my Bobby Jean" and a variation of Springsteen's line "No retreat" from the songs "No Surrender" and "Bobby Jean," found on Bruce Springsteen's 1984 album Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. is the seventh studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on June 4, 1984. A critical and commercial triumph, it found Springsteen marking a departure in his sound...
. In addition, it also includes the phrase "wash these sins," a reference to Springsteen's Racing in the StreetRacing in the Street"Racing in the Street" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. In the original vinyl format, it was the last song of side one of the album...
from the 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of TownDarkness on the Edge of TownDarkness on the Edge of Town is the fourth album by Bruce Springsteen, released in the late spring of 1978. The album marked the end of a three year period of forced hiatus from recording brought on by contractual obligations and legal battling with former manager Mike Appel...
.. The opening line "See I've been here for 28 years" references the 28 years separating the 1980 release of Springsteen's The River and the song itself. - "The Patient Ferris Wheel" refers to "broken heroes," which also appears in Springsteen's 1975 hit, Born to RunBorn to RunThe album's release was accompanied by a $250,000 promotional campaign by Columbia directed at both consumers and the music industry, making good use of Landau's "I saw rock 'n' roll's future—and its name is Bruce Springsteen" quote. With much publicity, Born to Run vaulted into the top 10 in its...
, from the album of the same name. - "Miles Davis and the Cool" has references in almost every verse. Second verse "put on your diamond soled shoes" alludes to the Paul Simon track "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" from the album Graceland. The following plea to "Climb down from your window" echoes Dylan's single "Can You Please Crawl out your window". The Third Verse brings a rock allusion in almost every word starting with "Poor Mr. Pitiful" which hints to Warren Zevon's "Poor Poor Pitiful Me" but more likely drawn from the Otis Redding/Steve Cropper song "Mr Pitiful" from the album The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads GA next phrase "I can't Turn you Lose" is also the title of a Redding tune which has been covered by many. "Your Daddy's aim is true" from the third line references Elvis Costello's "Allison" off his first album My Aim is True and the next line "she never understood that it ain't no good" is taken verbatim from Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" off the album Highway 61 Revisited.
- "Casanova, Baby!" contains the line "Twistin' the night away" from the Sam CookeSam CookeSamuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
song of the same name. Cooke's music is a known influence on the album, as stated by lead singer Brian FallonBrian FallonBrian Fallon is an American musician. Fallon is one of the founding members of the band The Gaslight Anthem. He plays guitar and provides lead vocals for the band. He is currently working on a side project called The Horrible Crowes....
. It also contains the line "It's past quarter to three, and it's past the midnight hour", references to the #1 hit by Gary U.S. BondsGary U.S. BondsGary U.S. Bonds is an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer. He is also a prolific songwriter.-Career:...
(and frequently played in concert by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street BandE Street BandThe E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
) and Wilson PickettWilson PickettWilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100...
's 'In the Midnight Hour'. An allusion to Pickett's "Mustang Sally" can also be heard therein. It also contains the line "dead man's town" which appeared in Springsteen's song "Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. is the seventh studio album by American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on June 4, 1984. A critical and commercial triumph, it found Springsteen marking a departure in his sound...
" and "slip this skin" which appears in the Springsteen song "Streets of PhiladelphiaStreets of Philadelphia"Streets of Philadelphia" is an Oscar winning song, written and performed by American rock musician Bruce Springsteen for the first mainstream film on HIV/AIDS in the 1993 film, Philadelphia...
.". Meanwhile, the lines "I'm still these nervous feet and heart of stone" and "If I could put down this ol' hammer" reference, respectively, the Springsteen penned Southside Johnny song "Hearts of Stone" and Peter, Paul, and Mary's "If I Had a Hammer" (also famously covered by Sam Cooke). - The title of "Here's Looking At You, Kid" refers to a quote from the 1942 film CasablancaCasablanca (film)Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
. - The album's lyrics also contain literary references. "Great Expectations" references the Charles DickensCharles DickensCharles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
novel of the same nameGreat ExpectationsGreat Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens. It was first published in serial form in the publication All the Year Round from 1 December 1860 to August 1861. It has been adapted for stage and screen over 250 times....
. The line "I sat by my bed side with papers and poetry about Estella" refers to the protagonist's love interest in Great Expectations. In addition to this the line "In a prison cell, where we spent those nights." is probably a reference to the PipPip-Biology and medicine:* Phosphatidylinositol phosphate* Prolactin-induced protein* Proximal interphalangeal joint* Patient intelligence panel-Business and finance:* Percentage in point , a currency exchange rate fluctuation...
's nights spent with convict Magwitch during the novel. The line "I hope we don't hear Marley's Chains we forged in life" in "The '59 Sound" is a reference to the ghost of Jacob MarleyJacob MarleyJacob Marley is a fictional character who appears in Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol.- Relationship with Scrooge:In life, Marley was the business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge. As teenagers, both men had been apprenticed in business and met as clerks in another business...
from Dickens' A Christmas CarolA Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens first published by Chapman & Hall on 17 December 1843. The story tells of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge's ideological, ethical, and emotional transformation after the supernatural visits of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of...
. The lines "And they burnt up the diner where I always used to find her" is a reference to Mrs. Havershams house being burnt down in the book, also "Her hair was raven and her heart was like a tomb" is an explanation of Estella's outward and inward appearance. - "The Backseat" contains the phrase "but you and I we've been through this," which is a reference to Bob Dylan's song "All Along the WatchtowerAll Along the Watchtower"All Along the Watchtower" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The song, which has been included on most of Dylan's greatest hits compilations, initially appeared on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding. Over the past 35 years, he has performed it in concert more...
".