THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM / Get Hurt [2014]

2014 saw the release of New Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem's fifth (and probably final) studio album, Get Hurt.
Written after considerable commercial success and a nasty divorce for frontman Brian Fallon, The Gaslights push towards a quieter, darker mid-tempo sound that is a bit of a departure from their previous records.  There's still traces of Springsteen but they bring in more influences into the mix that will reminds listeners of '70's stoner rock and other vinyl era rock acts.  The problem here is the music is so moody all the fun of their previous works has been sucked dry.  One can't deny the passion is still firmly intact but it's easy to hear a lack of interest within the member's chemistry would lead into a indefinite hiatus in 2015.

3 favorite songs in the dark out of 5

Songs of Note:  Break Your Heart; Have Mercy

PRINCE / Batman [1989]

After a few albums of minor commercial and critical success funky R&B weirdo Prince was about ready for another hit on his hands.  1989's Batman album was the answer, with it's thematic inspirations coming from Tim Burton's massively popular blockbuster film, the album was a surefire hit.
Apparently it hasn't really survived the test of time but I was surprised to find it's not as excruciating as I thought it would be.  It sounds hastily written and cobbled together but the roughness is some of it's charms, no matter how much some songs never really sound fully realized.  At best it's a guilty pleasure most folks can shamefully enjoy and at it's worst...well...they created the "skip" button for this reason.

3 nods to Neal Hefti out of 5

Songs of Note: Electric Chair; Partyman