The Horrible Crowes | Album Review

Story by Jacob Fricke 

| Published Sep 6, 2011

The Gaslight Anthem is inarguably the best band to emerge from the mid-2000s cesspool of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia. They strive to be nothing more or less than Bruce Springsteen’s disciples, and have succeeded in capturing not only the attention America, but of the Boss himself.

After three albums, frontman Brian Fallon united with Gaslight guitar tech Ian Perkins to form The Horrible Crowes, a band that strives to show off the darker side of old-Jersey sound.

Though it very much draws from the same influences as its older siblings, the Crowe’s first album “Elsie” is significantly darker. Slow and almost plodding in places, the album strips away much of the rich production that listeners have come to expect from Fallon’s projects. Instead, it is heavy on piano, atmospheric acoustic guitar, and depressing lyrics.

Possibly the best adjective to describe this album is soothing. This album is in no way abrasive or cruel. Fallon’s smooth yet weary voice carries the listener effortlessly though the album without ever challenging them.

This is, however, the album’s greatest weakness. After the first two songs, and apart from the excellent ballad “Black Betty & the Moon,” there is nothing remarkable about the album. While it would be an exaggeration to call it boring, it is a one-trick pony. Though it strives for a romantic sound, the overwhelmingly sad lyrics and quiet guitar combine to feel like a better-produced version of high school poetry.

Perhaps a follow-up album would iron out these problems. In the meantime, however, Fallon would be better off doing what has brought him so much love and acclaim: plugging the guitar back in and delivering impassioned vocals from the front of the stage with a full and talented band to accompany him. “Elsie” is an album that suppresses his natural ability.