The new Hold Steady album is out on itunes! Stay Positive!

[northernsoul]

Only listened to it about 6 or 7 times now at my desk. Can wait to blast it on my car stereo on the way home. Rocks like hell, they've obviously been listening to lots of Zeppelin and Husker Du lately.

[JackintheGreen]

1. Reminds me a ton of Springsteen

which is unfortunate, 'cuz I hate the Boss. sigh

[nomorenomore08]

2. I always thought they sounded like Husker, probably because of the vocals.

The guy is a dead ringer for Bob Mould.

[BrokenSocialScene]

3. Its no Boys and Girls in America..

but still pretty fantastic, I'm pretty excited to see them this summer as theyre always a blast live.

[cattlemaster]

4. I've tried, but I just can't get into them

I just can't get into The Hold Steady. Have a ton of friends who can't stop raving, but I don't know, they just don't do it for me. Musically, it's alright, but Craig Finn's lyrics, man, it just seems like he's trying SOOOO hard to capture "The Modern American Experience" and I'm just not sure he has what it takes to reach the heights he's obviously reaching for. I mean, "when a townie falls in the woods, does anyone hear it." With that one, he's really reaching for something big -- for the dark lower middle class, college town underbelly -- but it often comes across as tacky caricature. I don't know... maybe with time his skills will one day match his ambition. I will give him that though -- he's ambitious, and at least he's trying.

Anyway, if I want to get a taste of America, I just look at this and kick it with the Muppets for a few minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDA9NbPAK8o