THE HOLD STEADY – STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS (FULL TIME HOBBY/VAGRANT)
I have no idea what prompted the strike of good fortune that has seen The Hold Steady’s star power rise this year but it was acknowledged for quite some time that they were a best kept secret. Seeing The Hold Steady live in a rammed and sweaty Borderline on a Saturday night in early 2007 was one of the greatest live experiences I have ever been privileged to. The sheer energy and optimism of the band pushed songs that are actually pretty melancholic in context to something happily outweighed by the personality and strength of a band that for once genuinely serve a purpose.
There is a true jubilation to The Hold Steady, the power chords aim and strike high on target as they disguise what is in essence a really dark and moody set of vocals/lyrics addressing some of the harsh (economic and emotional) realities of modern times. This is the party record for the person on Prozac still looking for good times and to get his end away. And it is not being exclusive about it.
After two records of not seeing the Springsteen thing, suddenly as the keys kick in on this release I finally see/get it but unwillingly and with resentment – I don’t think The Hold Steady will ever be reduced to chest beating, stadium rock aiming dollar signs directly at the emotions and struggles of the blur collar man. Instead The Hold Steady are now, a band that has perhaps “made it” a little too late and are probably destined to burn out after this run of success but in the meantime this is a train ride that cannot be missed. Hop aboard or remain bored like the snivelling indie kids that Craig Finn tells you you are.
Thesaurus moment: euphoric.
The Hold Steady
Vagrant Records
Full Time Hobby
I have no idea what prompted the strike of good fortune that has seen The Hold Steady’s star power rise this year but it was acknowledged for quite some time that they were a best kept secret. Seeing The Hold Steady live in a rammed and sweaty Borderline on a Saturday night in early 2007 was one of the greatest live experiences I have ever been privileged to. The sheer energy and optimism of the band pushed songs that are actually pretty melancholic in context to something happily outweighed by the personality and strength of a band that for once genuinely serve a purpose.
There is a true jubilation to The Hold Steady, the power chords aim and strike high on target as they disguise what is in essence a really dark and moody set of vocals/lyrics addressing some of the harsh (economic and emotional) realities of modern times. This is the party record for the person on Prozac still looking for good times and to get his end away. And it is not being exclusive about it.
After two records of not seeing the Springsteen thing, suddenly as the keys kick in on this release I finally see/get it but unwillingly and with resentment – I don’t think The Hold Steady will ever be reduced to chest beating, stadium rock aiming dollar signs directly at the emotions and struggles of the blur collar man. Instead The Hold Steady are now, a band that has perhaps “made it” a little too late and are probably destined to burn out after this run of success but in the meantime this is a train ride that cannot be missed. Hop aboard or remain bored like the snivelling indie kids that Craig Finn tells you you are.
Thesaurus moment: euphoric.
The Hold Steady
Vagrant Records
Full Time Hobby
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