Handwritten (The Gaslight Anthem album)

Handwritten is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Gaslight Anthem, released on July 20, 2012, through Mercury Records. Produced by Brendan O'Brien, the album was preceded by its lead single, "45", and features liner notes by Nick Hornby.

Handwritten
Studio album by
The Gaslight Anthem
ReleasedJuly 23, 2012 (2012-07-23)
RecordedJanuary 23 – February 18, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenreHeartland rock, indie rock, folk punk, punk blues
Length40:50
LabelMercury
ProducerBrendan O'Brien
The Gaslight Anthem chronology
American Slang
(2010)		 Handwritten
(2012)		 Singles Collection: 2008–2011
(2013)
Singles from Handwritten
  1. "45"
    Released: June 2, 2012
  2. "Here Comes My Man"
    Released: October 24, 2012
Deluxe Edition Cover

Writing

As of July 2010, Brian Fallon said he was working on new material for a fourth album.[1] Subsequently, Fallon stated on his blog that the band would start writing their record in January 2011.[2] However, prior to playing at Pinkpop in June 2011, Fallon stated that they had just started working on the new album and that it would not be released for at least a few months.[3] In the same interview, Fallon said the band's next record would sound closer to their breakthrough record, The '59 Sound, rather than American Slang.[4] During this time, Fallon was also working with good friend Ian Perkins, putting the finishing touches on their side project The Horrible Crowes.

On October 6, 2011, the Gaslight Anthem announced via Facebook that they had officially signed with Mercury Records. They stated that they were sorry to leave their friends at SideOneDummy Records, but felt that the change was necessary for their musical career.

Recording

On October 14, 2011, the Gaslight Anthem announced that their last show before going into the studio to record their new album would be on December 9 at the Asbury Park Convention Hall.[5]

On January 12, 2012, the band announced via their Twitter feed that they would be recording the following week in Nashville.[6] Recording took place at Blackbird Studios, Nashville.[7] On February 17, 2012, they announced that recording of original songs for the album had been completed and they would soon be recording b-sides and covers.[8] It was announced on February 22, 2012, via the band's Twitter feed that their fourth album would be titled Handwritten.[9]

The band announced on their official Facebook page on April 26, 2012, that the album's lead single would be "45", and it would be receive its worldwide premiere as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record in the World on BBC Radio 1 on April 30.[10]

On April 30, 2012, the band announced that the album would be released July 23, 2012, in the UK and July 24 in the US.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic71/100[11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
Alternative Press[13]
The A.V. ClubB+[14]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[15]
NME8/10[16]
Pitchfork Media5.7/10[17]
Punknews.org[18]
Rolling Stone[19]
Sputnikmusic4/5[20]
Uncut7/10[21]

Handwritten received mostly positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a "weighted average" rating out of 100 from selected independent ratings and reviews from mainstream critics, the album received a Metascore of 71/100, based on 31 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[11]

The New Jersey Devils use the song "Howl" as their goal song.

Commercial performance

Handwritten debuted at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 40,000 copies in its first week of release.[22] It remains the band's highest positioned album on the Billboard 200 chart and best sales week to date.[23]

Music videos

The Gaslight Anthem released a music video for their track "Here Comes My Man" featuring actress Elisha Cuthbert.[24]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brian Fallon, Alex Rosamilia, Alex Levine, and Benny Horowitz, except where noted[25].

No.TitleLength
1.""45""3:23
2."Handwritten"3:58
3."Here Comes My Man"3:35
4."Mulholland Drive"3:53
5."Keepsake"4:02
6."Too Much Blood"5:07
7."Howl"2:04
8."Biloxi Parish"3:46
9."Desire"3:15
10."Mae"4:07
11."National Anthem"3:40
Total length:40:50
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."Blue Dahlia"4:28
13."Sliver" (Kurt Cobain, Chad Channing; originally performed by Nirvana)2:06
14."You Got Lucky" (Tom Petty, Mike Campbell; originally performed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)3:47
Total length:51:11
Amazon.co.uk and US iTunes bonus track
No.TitleLength
12."Teenage Rebellion"4:31

Credits and personnel
The Gaslight Anthem[25]
Additional musicians[25]
  • Ian Perkins – guitar, backing vocals
  • Brendan O'Brien – guitar, backing vocals, Hammond B-3 organ, piano, percussion
  • Patrick Warren – string arrangement, keyboard on "National Anthem"
Production[25]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Silver 80,163[49]

Release history
Country Date Label
Australia[50] July 20, 2012 Universal Music
Germany[51]
France[52] July 23, 2012
United Kingdom[53] Mercury Records
United States[54] July 24, 2012
Italy[55] Universal Music
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References
  1. Sterdan, Darryl (July 13, 2010). "Gaslight Anthem Kicks Up A Gear". Toronto Sun. Sun Media.
  2. "The Band is Blowing Dixie, Double Four Time..." Cassettes In The Mailbox. December 5, 2010. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  3. "[3FM Pinkpop 2011] Brian en Alex van The Gaslight Anthem in de studio". YouTube. July 13, 2011.
  4. O'Donnell, Kevin (May 26, 2011). "Gaslight's Brian Fallon on "Radical" Side-Project". Spin. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  5. "New Show Added". gaslightanthem.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  6. "Heading to record in Nashville ..." Twitter. January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  7. Scaggs, Austin (March 29, 2012). "Gaslight Anthem Rip It Up And Start Again in Nashville". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  8. "Every song done! Now recording ..." Twitter. February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  9. "We're gonna call our new record ..." Twitter. February 22, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  10. "Finally! We are..." Facebook. April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  11. "The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Metacritic. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  12. Heaney, Gregory. "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  13. Heisel, Scott. "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  14. Heller, Jason (July 24, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  15. Maerz, Melissa (July 18, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  16. Cooper, Leonie (July 30, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". NME. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  17. Deusner, Stephen (July 26, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  18. Yancey, Bryne (July 24, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Punknews.org. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  19. Rosen, Jody (July 19, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  20. Knott, Adam (July 28, 2012). "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  21. Mueller, Andrew. "Review: The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Uncut. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  22. Grow, Kory (August 1, 2012). "Who Charted? Gaslight Anthem and Passion Pit Score Top 10 Debuts". Spin. Buzzmedia. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  23. Caulfield, Keith (August 20, 2014). "Billboard 200: Did 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Soundtrack Stay at No. 1?". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
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  25. Handwritten (CD booklet). The Gaslight Anthem. New York City: Mercury Records. 2012. B0017213-02.CS1 maint: others (link)
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  27. "Austriancharts.at – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  28. "Ultratop.be – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  29. "Ultratop.be – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  30. "The Gaslight Anthem Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  31. "Top Kombiniranih – Tjedan 30. 2012". Top of the Shops (in Croatian). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  32. "Danishcharts.dk – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  33. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
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  40. "Swedishcharts.com – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  41. "Swisscharts.com – The Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  42. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  43. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  44. "The Gaslight Anthem Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  45. "The Gaslight Anthem Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  46. "The Gaslight Anthem Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  47. "UK Year-End Charts 2012" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 9. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  48. "British album certifications – Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten". British Phonographic Industry. July 22, 2013. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Handwritten in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  49. Jones, Alan (August 18, 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: Nico & Vinz hold No.1 single spot with Am I Wrong selling 62,750". Music Week. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  50. "The Gaslight Anthem Store – Handwritten". Getmusic. Universal Music Australia. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  51. "The Gaslight Anthem – Diskografie – Handwritten" (in German). Universal Music Germany. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  52. "Handwritten : Gaslight Anthem" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  53. "Gaslight Anthem: Handwritten". HMV. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
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