Sink or Swim (The Gaslight Anthem album)

Sink or Swim
Studio album by The Gaslight Anthem
Released May 29, 2007
Genre Punk rock, folk punk
Length 37:18
Label XOXO
Producer Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, Benny Horowitz, Josh Jakubowski
The Gaslight Anthem chronology

Sink or Swim
(2007)		 Señor and the Queen
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AbsolutePunk.net (82%) link
Punknews.org link
Stereokill.net link
Unglued Reviews (Positive) link
laut.de link

Sink or Swim is the debut studio album by The Gaslight Anthem, released May 29, 2007 through XOXO Records.

Reception

Despite little attention from major critics, the album met with strong reception from Independent critics. Absolutepunk.net received the album very positively, citing singer 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." [2] 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."[3]

Release

In 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

All songs written and composed 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

Band[5]
Production[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Gaslight Anthem, The - Sink Or Swim - Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  2. ↑ "The Gaslight Anthem - Sink or Swim". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  3. ↑ "Unglued Reviews » Blog Archive » THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM – Sink Or Swim (XOXO)". Unglued.24hourcynic.com. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  4. ↑ "Gaslight Anthem, The - Sink Or Swim (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-03-31.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Sink or Swim (CD insert). The Gaslight Anthem. New Brunswick, New Jersey: XOXO Records. 2007. XOXO 009.