Sink or Swim is the debut studio album by the Gaslight Anthem, released May 29, 2007, through XOXO Records.
| Sink or Swim | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 29, 2007 | |||
| Genre | Punk rock[1][2] | |||
| Length | 37:18 | |||
| Label | XOXO | |||
| Producer | Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, Benny Horowitz, Josh Jakubowski | |||
| The Gaslight Anthem chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AbsolutePunk.net | (82%) link |
| Punknews.org |   link |
| Stereokill.net | link |
| Unglued Reviews | (Positive) link |
| laut.de |  link |
Reception
editDespite little attention from major critics, the album met with strong reception from independent critics. Absolutepunk.net received the album very positively, citing frontman Brian Fallon for having a "talent for creating lyrics and melodies that are simple and catchy, yet never forced or unintelligent."[1] The review also called "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" (a tribute to Joe Strummer) the highlight of the records, and noted the similarities between the opening track "Boomboxes and Dictionaries" and Against Me!'s “Sink. Florida. Sink.” Punknews.org also praised the album and made many similar observations. They called the record "the type of record that most young bands wish they could create to launch their musical career."[3] Unplugged reviews noted that "The Gaslight Anthem blend anthemic punk-rock spirit with Springsteen-influenced storytelling (together with a folk influence that recalls early Against Me!) to create a compelling, addictive whole." They also expressed appreciation for Fallon's "gruff vocals" and the contrast between up-tempo rockers like "We Came to Dance" and "Red in the Morning" and acoustic folk numbers like "The Navesink Banks" and "Red at Night."[2]
Release
editIn December 2010, the album was re-released in Europe exclusively on vinyl. This special release was limited to only 500 copies and featured a fold-out lyrics sheet.[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, and Benny Horowitz, except where noted[5]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Boomboxes and Dictionaries" | 3:11 |
| 2. | "I Coul'da Been a Contender" | 3:22 |
| 3. | "Wooderson" | 2:11 |
| 4. | "We Came to Dance" | 3:34 |
| 5. | "1930" (Fallon, Rosamilia, Levine, Horowitz, Mike Volpe) | 3:48 |
| 6. | "The Navesink Banks" | 2:48 |
| 7. | "Red in the Morning" | 2:51 |
| 8. | "I'da Called You Woody, Joe" | 3:21 |
| 9. | "Angry Johnny and the Radio" | 3:00 |
| 10. | "Drive" | 2:55 |
| 11. | "We're Getting a Divorce, You Keep the Diner" | 3:11 |
| 12. | "Red at Night" | 3:07 |
| Total length: | 37:18 | |
Personnel
edit- Band[5]
- Brian Fallon – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, producer
- Alex Rosamilia – guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Alex Levine – bass guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Benny Horowitz – drums, backing vocals, producer
- Production[5]
- Josh Jakubowski – recording engineer, producer
- Jason Livermore – audio mastering
- John Clemmons – photographs
- C. Spliedt – cover painting
- Ed Hanks – layout
References
edit- ^ a b "Gaslight Anthem, The - Sink Or Swim - Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ^ a b "Unglued Reviews » Blog Archive » THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM – Sink Or Swim (XOXO)". Unglued.24hourcynic.com. 2007-05-29. Archived from the original on 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ^ "The Gaslight Anthem - Sink or Swim". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ^ "Gaslight Anthem, The - Sink Or Swim (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
- ^ a b c Sink or Swim (CD insert). The Gaslight Anthem. New Brunswick, New Jersey: XOXO Records. 2007. XOXO 009.
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