It's been said, but I love the Hold Steady. The love, the pain, the booze, the fun, the regret: this band has been the soundtrack to my 20s in some major ways.
I'm pleased to proclaim that the new album, Stay Positive, FUCKING RULES.
I wasn't wild about the first single, "Sequestered in Memphis," but it's easily the weakest song on the album. I don't know why they did that to their fans, but it dropped my expectations, which makes the other songs even more awesome.
The last album went pretty far into stories of inspired youth, which was cool, but awfully teen-oriented in theme, and a little bit of a stretch for dudes in their 30s. The one before that was some impressive storytelling about partying while Catholic. But Stay Positive totally rocks in the we-partied-and-we-got-older-and-let's-fess-up-to-that-but-remember-how-much-fun/pain-we've-already-had-and-fuck-it-let's-have-some-more.
One rad thing about the Hold Steady is how they tell stories through a girl's point of view. They've been compared to the Boss, but instead of making more male American heroes, it's more about the street-wisening chicks who shouldn't take it. Maybe I'm looking for more feminist meaning to come from an all-male rock band, but really: the dudes in their songs are kinda losers, and the ladies figure it out.
So I'm now relaxing in my bedroom and blasting the album. I'm wondering how early is too early to start drinking before heading to a friend's party, looking forward to an evening I may not even remember. I'll listen again tomorrow and it will seem just as true a soundtrack to my Saturday hangover when I ask myself why I still don't know better. That's rock done right, folks.
*ka boom* <--- My mind is blown.
Verdict: get drunk, get hungover, think about some good or bad times, and blast this album at loud volumes.
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