Gaslight Anthem puts Heart and Soul into Newest Album "Handwritten" [VIDEO]

New Jersey Natives Gaslight Anthem grew such a huge fan base following the success of their last album "American Slang" that the band had to leave the small, LA-based, independent record label SideOneDummy and sign on with the major label Mercury in order to produce their newest album, "Handwritten." And the successful release of "Handwritten" earlier in July proves that Gaslight Anthem made the right decision, with raving reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and other prominent music publications.

Although some fans worry about a band's likelihood to "sell out" when members ultimately decide to leave their home base in order to pursue bigger opportunities elsewhere, Gaslight Anthem proves otherwise. Instead, "Handwritten" seems to do the exact opposite, as Gaslight Anthem returns to their musical roots even before "American Slang," providing a folk-punk rock influenced sound more similar to that heard on their 2008 album "The 59' Sound."

Vocalist Brian Fallon is a pro when it comes to connecting with his fans. He understands that we all feel and experience love and hope, hurt and despair, in very similar ways. Throughout "Handwritten" Fallon yearns for lost love and faded youth and finds strength and hope through his rustic lyrics and thrashing guitar. On the title track "Handwritten," a mix of folksy beats and rock and roll rhythms, Fallon croons "And to ease the loss of youth/And the many, many years I've missed you/Pages plead forgiveness/Every word handwritten." A coming-of-age tune mixed with the same punk-rock mentality found in their earlier work, Gaslight Anthem offers up enough new material while still reverting to their native, jersey-punk roots. "Handwritten" is an emotional rollercoaster that new and old fans alike can enjoy, and it's the perfect album to throw on after a long day when you just need to reflect and reboot.

In a Rolling Stone magazine review of the album, Jody Rosen writes, "'Handwritten' is Gaslight's biggest-sounding, most straightforward album [Fallon's] a ferocious vocalist, and his way with a hook and Springsteen-schooled sense of drama make these songs more cathartic than cornball."

So no, Gaslight Anthem did not let the pressures of signing on to a major record label get in the way of their pure and natural talent. Check out the video for "Handwritten" below to watch Fallon do his thing, and be sure to pick up a copy of "Handwritten" out in stores now.