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The Hold Steady – Stay Postive
Reviewed by Mike

1. Constructive Summer 7.0

A solid rocker opening with dramatic Springsteen-esque piano showing up midway through the song. To me at least, this is the most interesting aspect. I find the hair metal guitar squeals to be a likeable addition. Lyrically, Finn focuses on the blue collar world with talk of “build something this summer” and “working at the mill until you die”.

2. Sequestered in Memphis 9.0

Finn provides excellent imagery with this story within a story.

Man, they want to know exactly which bathroom…
Dude, does it make any difference? It can’t be important…

Yeah, sure, I’ll tell my story, again…

It’s this kind of snarky storytelling that helps keep The Hold Steady relevant and worthwhile. The addition of a wicked hammond and punchy brass fills out the emtpy spaces with life.

3. One For the Cutters 8.0

” Welcome m’lady! Would you like a giant drumstick with your sprite?

Townies meet a far suburban renaissance festival. Despite the odd inclusion of a harpischord, the piano playing is excellent and the song is lavished with crunchy leaning walls of guitar where it matters.

4. Navy Sheets 4.5

The whippy synth line sounds like a dying goose. Overall, the ideas in this song just aren’t as interesting as elsewhere on the record. Not even getting drunk at the laser light show saves this one.

Whatever you do, don’t turn on the black light.

5. Lord I’m Discouraged 7.8

I know it’s unlikely she’ll ever be mine
So I mostly just pray she don’t die

A powerful ballad that comes off as a prayer for a junkie. The chorus sounds a bit tired and maybe that’s the point.

6. Yeah Sapphire 7.8

The first half of the song is fairly standard rock mixed with desperate lyrical moments. About two minutes in, the song completely changes pace into frenetic bombast. Smashing piano and power chords close it out on a much higher note

Sapphire, if Cheyenne’s too small
We’ll haul it all back to St. Paul
I was just about to call you
When you called

7. Both Crosses 7.5

A rambling ballad with a hint of acoustic Led Zeppelin used as it’s repeating hook. Lyrically, it’s as impressive as Finn’s usual work, although it might not have enough in other areas to keep a listener captivated. It sounds a bit incomplete in terms of musical ideas.

8. Stay Positive 9.2

A brilliant rock anthem written for trying times. The Hold Steady find their feet again at this point in the album. Finn sounds like he woke up from a nap on the previous few tracks – grabbing a stout cup of coffee then grabbing the mic. A fitting song in an era of rising gas prices, housing industry problems and a struggling economy. It’s also a rallying cry against how we were born to die.

These kids at the shows will have kids of their own
And these sing-a-long songs will be our scriptures

We gotta stay positive

9. Magazines 7.6

Even though the background vocals sound like a crack addict muppet trying to seduce a woman ” I hope you’ll still let me kiss you”, the song provides enough vitality to make it an interesting listen. However, the repetition of that line can get old.

10. Joke About Jamaica 10.0

An outstanding contrast piece between the age of worry-free-party-youth and moving into the workplace. Rarely has this sort of thing been done with such power, grace and beauty. The Hold Steady dodge the cliche minefield like gold medal gymnasts, landing perfectly on their feet at the end of the song.

Back then it was beautiful
The boys were sweet and musical
The laser lights looked mystical
Messed up stuff felt magical
Girls didn’t seem so difficult
Boys didn’t seem so typical
It was warm and white and wonderful
We were all invincible

11. Slapped Actress 9.4

The Hold Steady follow up a brilliant track ten with a song just about as good. Finn sings with a powerful conviction. You want to believe in everything he’s saying. This is reinforced by a revolving wall of blistering piano and massive guitar. About four minutes in, wildly swinging background vocals chime in like a kid on truck stop speed ready to fuck up whoever is in his way.

Don’t say we saw angels, they’ll take us straight to the church.

Response Keywords after hearing this album:

rock n’ roll, powerful, intelligent, bombastic, hooky, storytelling

Album Total 8/10

Stay Positive might not be as good as it’s predecessor, but it proves The Hold Steady are still capable of making a good, intelligent rock record. There are some weak spots but the high highs make up for it.

You can buy or download a hard copy here:

Stay Positive