The Gaslight Anthem Sink or Swim

Starting with their auspicious 2007 debut Sink Or Swim, New Jersey-based quartet The Gaslight Anthem joyfully injected aspects of rock's most universal languages – arena rock and barroom blues, folk and pure pop – into punk's round hole, ultimately forging its own powerful, populist sound. Frontman Brian Fallon's penchant for evocative heart on sleeve lyrics and catchy melodies already appeared fully formed here and saw him anointed punk-rock's Bruce Springsteen while the band's ability to construct contrasting up-tempo numbers, folk sing-alongs and acoustic ballads with aplomb proved that they weren't interested in being defined or limited by genre or their heroes.