The Gaslight Anthem: Get Hurt

There were fears the New Jersey rockers would go all experimental here, having said that this album "will be completely different than anything we have done before", but over these 12 songs, their punk-infused Jersey Shore sound is still present and correct. Opener Stay Vicious swaggers along with intent, but elsewhere some ballad-style tracks are hit and miss. They are at their brilliant best when they are channelling their heroes – The Replacements – as on Rollin' and Tumblin'. Similarly, 1,000 Years has plenty of front and the musical shapes to match. And it's these CBGBs touches that make the album. If they had kept to the heads down no-nonsense rock'n' roll, this could have been one of their best ever works but messing with their formula and dropping the tempo finds them in the odd cul-de-sac. There is though much to admire here and hopes remain high for their next offering.thegaslightanthem.com Download: Stay Vicious, 1,000 Years, Rollin' and Tumblin'