The Hold Steady continues their ballistic campaign to be the Best Rock Band In America. And also perhaps the World’s Greatest Lapsed Catholic Rock Band.
The Brooklyn-based band still writes songs about adolescent overdrinking and messy relationships, set in the Twin Cities. But instead of writing songs for 17-year-olds this time, it sounds like the band is writing songs for 22-year-olds now. For the song’s characters’, reckless living is turning out to have real consequences, and things aren’t as good as it was 5 years ago.
The breakthrough of this album is the band’s increasing self-awareness: the rousing choruses, rapturous Springsteen-esque keyboards and classic rock solos build what frontman Craig Finn calls their “singalong songs.”
Their fourth album, “Stay Positive”, out since July 17th, attempts to extend their winning streak; the first three albums are considered minor masterpieces. But is Finn sincere about his urge that “we gotta stay positive?” Is he trying to convince the fans, or remind himself? That may be at the heart of what makes The Hold Steady the Hold Steady: the ability to say something tongue-in-cheek but simultaneously inject a healthy dose of earnest enthusiasm as well.
And that Catholic thing? Who knew that divine salvation and temptations of the flesh made such great rock music?
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