The Gaslight Anthem have just unveiled a brand-new four-track
EP.
Entitled History Books – Short Stories, the Butch Walker-produced
release includes two new acoustic versions of songs from last year’s brilliant comeback
album History Books (the title-track and lead single Positive Charge), as well
as an updated version of 2008’s Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts.
And, perhaps best of all, the whole thing opens up with a rousing
cover of Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish…
“We had an idea after we finished recording the album to record
some acoustic versions of History Books and Positive Charge,” explains frontman
Brian Fallon. “Then at the same time, I had been listening to this Billie
Eilish song my daughter showed me on the way to school one morning called Ocean
Eyes and I thought, ‘Hey, that would be a great song for The Gaslight Anthem to
cover.’ I really enjoyed diving into this song and now I am a Billie Eilish
fan.
“Then
we decided that it was time to update one of our very favourite songs Blue
Jeans & White T-Shirts,” he adds. “We had been messing with some of the
location names to be more current – seems like real estate on Cookman Ave is
all office buildings and condos for very, very rich people, maybe not the
neighbours for me. So we updated a few choice Jersey locations – not to
replace the old version, just more of a current look.”
Listen to History Books – Short Stories below: