There are certain things that make you feel American. For example, complaining about slow service in French restaurants is one. Another may be thinking Europeans really love Stella Artois. How about swearing soccer isn’t football but really soccer? A less embarrassing and offensive way is to rock out to the new Hold Steady.
The Hold Steady released their forth studio album, Stay Positive, on July 15th of this year. Like previous albums, it is a collection of songs about American kids and the booze, drugs and partying that their lives revolve around.
Stay Positive starts out strong with “Constructive Summer”, a song that exalts the summer drinking. Fans will be quickly reminded of Craig Finn’s wonderfully simple lyrical mastery. Thankfully that doesn’t diminish and is even fortified with the next track “Sequestered in Memphis”. It is easy to see why the band chose this song as the first single. It is the kind of Rock and Roll song that you’d be happy to be caught singing, almost like “Born to Run” in the 80’s. Unfortunately, the album never returns to the pop brilliance of those songs or Boys and Girls in America for that matter. Not to worry, the rest of the album is still worth weeks of consecutive play. “Slapped Actresses” pounds out rock style with fading choruses that conjures up visions of Archers of Loaf’s “After the Last Laugh”. The Hold Steady explore new musically directions with songs like “Both Crosses”. It has an empty, western feel, like something from Calexico or Nick Cave. The more moody songs like “Lord I’m Discouraged” are a good asset to the album but they just don’t quite hit you like “First Night” or “Don’t Let Me Explode”. It might be that the subject matter just isn’t as obvious.
The Hold Steady gets lot praise from critics and fans but who can complain (except for Will who still thinks Lftr Pllr is better, jerk!). Like previous releases, Stay Positive will remind people why they love American Rock and Roll. It might not be as strong as Boys and Girls in America but most listeners really won’t care. Oh, the band gets mad props for referencing “Double Whiskey Coke No Ice“ by the D4 (Dillinger Four! – Will.). Seriously, that is fucking awesome.
Genre: Rock and Roll
RIYL: Lifter Puller, Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements
Label: Vagrant
Constructive Summer
01%20Constructive%20Summer.mp3
Stay Positive
08%20Stay%20Positive.mp3
www.myspace.com/theholdsteady
