The Hold Steady’s Latest Streaming on MySpace

The best-reviewed band of the past ten years, The Hold Steady, has a new album coming out next week, but you lucky folks can hear the whole thing right now on MySpace. It’s called Stay Positive and it sounds quite fabulous.

Back in 2004, I called the band an “acquired taste,” but their sound has grown richer and the production on this album and their last — the breakthrough Boys and Girls in America — was top-notch, so they’re much more accessible to the common man, especially to those classic rock relics who miss The Who and early Springsteen with the big bold pianos, horns and the colorful storytelling. Craig Finn has the storytelling part down cold, that brother can spin a beer-soaked yarn like no other.

Finn also has a great sense of humor and is completely devoid of the rock star arrogance we’ve grown to expect from many a heraded front man.

I’m on my second listen now and this is easily the best thing I’ve heard all year: insanely rocking tunes mixed with some long-burners that have that epic “Greetings From Asbury Park” vibe. Wow! A while back I heard reports that Ben Nichols from Lucero would be making a guest appearance and If I’m not mistaken I think that’s him blasting out some backing vocals on the my two favorite tracks “Magazines” and “Constructive Summer” (I feel some Husker Du “Celebrated Summer” vibe here, Finn is a huge fan). Nice Ben, now finish your own CD. FYI, Lucero rules.

Every fan will tell you The Hold Steady is best heard in a bar. I think those days are over, these guys will be bigger than ever after this thing drops. So in honor, pop in few bucks in your local bar’s jukebox and play the whole thing. Twice. Then drink a lot of beers, Craig would approve.

Here’s a great video, “Chips’ Ahoy,” from there last offering:

And a classic, “The Swish,” that still had some of the punk edge form Finn’s Lifter Puller days:

Tags: Ben Nichols • Craig Finn • indie-rock • Lifter Puller • Lucero • Music • Rock • The Hold Steady