American Slang has done little to distance The Gaslight Anthem from Bruce Springsteen, following the same lyrical territory as The Boss throughout the album.
American Slang has done little to distance The Gaslight Anthem from Bruce Springsteen, following the same lyrical territory as The Boss throughout the album.

The Gaslight Anthem: American Slang



Any rock band from New Jersey who wear their blue-collar credentials proudly on their sleeves will inevitably face comparisons with Bruce Springsteen, but The Gaslight Anthem have done little to distance themselves from the analogy. On the contrary, as well as their obvious musical similarities and constant eulogising of The Boss during interviews, they played with him at last summer's Glastonbury festival not once, but twice - including a duet during Springsteen's headline slot.

The link-up resulted in sales of the band's second album, The '59 Sound, leaping 200 per cent and the former punk rock stalwarts becoming a mainstream concern overnight. One might assume, then, that for their follow-up LP, The Gaslight Anthem would want to prove they can do more than honour their home-state hero. Apparently not. This album is essentially Born To Run, but without loud guitars filling-in for all the keys and horns.

The title track American Slang kicks-off the record with rousing underdog lyrics, "they cut me to ribbons and taught me to drive" and "the fortunes came for the richer man, while we're left with gallows". But while the singer Brian Fallon treads much of the same lyrical territory as not just Springsteen but also Joe Strummer, he actually says very little. Diamond Church Street Choir trades in the band's punk energy for finger-clicking blue eyed soul. Just as it gets enjoyable, the dumbfounding chorus begins "who, who, who does it better than we do?" Do they really want us to answer that?

There are plenty of jaunty riff-driven numbers, such as Orphans and Boxer, that were no doubt designed to be played on car stereos. Their brand of catchy punk, with a heavy slice of 1970s rock, certainly drifts out of the speakers easily, but only because there's so little substance to make you take notice. Thankfully, they don't mess about with drawn-out, narrative-driven songs (another Springsteen's calling-card) and the album feels efficient if nothing else. The band clearly have skill at delivering both fist-shaking rock and down-tempo grooves too, but the record's few slivers of originality are spoiled by an over-dependence on what's gone before.

It doesn't have to be that way, of course; Arcade Fire's 2006 release, Neon Bible, bore the imprint of Springsteen's sound and showmanship, but also offered something that was unmistakably the band's own. Many of the songs that make up American Slang have the exuberance of fellow East Coast retro-rockers The Hold Steady, but none of the wit and irony that makes that band so worthwhile. From the first to the last minute of this record, The Boss' influence can be heard. And while the group seem adept at crafting melodies that soar, riffs that rock and drums that crunch, it's all wrapped-up in something so derivative that it's impossible for anyone other than the most devoted fan to forgive. While there are very few truly original artists making music today, The Gaslight Anthem have fallen into straight imitation - offering very little that doesn't bear the fingerprints of their predecessors.

Eminem Recovery Polydor Group "This time around it's different/Last two albums didn't count", claims the Detroit rapper on Talkin' 2 Myself. Lyrically this seventh studio album is something of a return to form, particularly after last year's dire Relapse, but it's still dogged by sludgy production.

Robert Wyatt His Greatest Misses Domino Something of a collector's item since its limited release in 2004, this reissued Japanese compilation serves as a great introduction to the guardian of the British leftfield, showcasing the former Soft Machine frontman's lyrical mastery (Sea Song, At Last I Am Free) and his knack for producing glorious covers, including Elvis Costello's enduringly affecting Shipbuilding.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Kill%20
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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

the pledge

I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance

I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice

I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own

I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself

I pledge to live in harmony with my community

I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness

I pledge to do my part to create peace for all

I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community

I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

Tree of Hell

Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla

Director: Raed Zeno

Rating: 4/5

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20Shipsy%3Cbr%3EYear%20of%20inception%3A%202015%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Soham%20Chokshi%2C%20Dhruv%20Agrawal%2C%20Harsh%20Kumar%20and%20Himanshu%20Gupta%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20India%2C%20UAE%20and%20Indonesia%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20logistics%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%20more%20than%20350%20employees%3Cbr%3EFunding%20received%20so%20far%3A%20%2431%20million%20in%20series%20A%20and%20B%20rounds%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Info%20Edge%2C%20Sequoia%20Capital%E2%80%99s%20Surge%2C%20A91%20Partners%20and%20Z3%20Partners%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

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Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

New process leads to panic among jobseekers

As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.  

“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.

Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE. 

“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.

“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”

MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Company profile

Name:​ One Good Thing ​

Founders:​ Bridgett Lau and Micheal Cooke​

Based in:​ Dubai​​ 

Sector:​ e-commerce​

Size: 5​ employees

Stage: ​Looking for seed funding

Investors:​ ​Self-funded and seeking external investors

Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017

Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Day 1 fixtures (Saturday)

Men 1.45pm, Malaysia v Australia (Court 1); Singapore v India (Court 2); UAE v New Zealand (Court 3); South Africa v Sri Lanka (Court 4)

Women Noon, New Zealand v South Africa (Court 3); England v UAE (Court 4); 5.15pm, Australia v UAE (Court 3); England v New Zealand (Court 4)

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

The Dictionary of Animal Languages
Heidi Sopinka
​​​​​​​Scribe

PRISCILLA
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2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m

2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m

3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m

3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m

4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m

 

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1.45pm: Cosmic Glow

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3.15pm: Taamol

3.45pm: Rayig

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