Tuesday, 15 Jul 2008
In my senior year of high school my friends and I would often climb a water tower just down the street from our homes. I was always the last one to go up and the first one to come down, saying I had a fear of heights is an understatement. Underneath my terrified state I was creating some of the most memorable conversations, adventures, and friendships that remain in tact to this day. On the opening track “Constructive Summer” off The Hold Steady’s new record Stay Positive, Craig Finn talks all about “leaning ladders up against water towers” in a song that completely embodies the feeling of summer for me – then and now.
I’ll come right out and say this isn’t The Hold Steady’s best work, not even close. It’s got its share of peaks and valley’s that have more to do with track sequencing than bad songs. The first two tracks including the aforementioned album opener paired with “Sequestered in Memphis,” are my absolute favorites on the record and it doesn’t hurt that Lucero’s Ben Nichols lends vox to the latter. In fact, The Hold Steady don’t hesitate trotting out their all star friends, J Mascis and Patterson Hood both lend their talents. Other favorites include the delicate “Lord, I’m Discouraged,” a previous show closer, and the title track “Stay Positive” which holds all the anthemic qualities that make the Hold Steady so triumphant.
Just its predecessors, Stay Positive will succeed or fail on how the material translates live. Initial reports I’ve read sound like the songs are weaving themselves into the set lists with great ease. That’s good because much as I love this band on record, they’ll always remain a live band for me. One where I can bring a whole slew of friends and just get silly and lost in rock and roll. Stay Positive is essential listening this summer. Make sure you get one of the initial copies that includes the universal favorite “Ask Her For Some Adderal” plus two other tracks as one long single track.
The Hold Steady play the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Monday, July 21st. A limited number of tickets remain, make sure you find yourself in that party pit.
Discuss: Thoughts on the record? Favorite tracks? Did you get the bonus tracks? Seeing them in Madison?
Myspace: The Hold Steady
Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
July 17th, 2008 at 6:37 am
I was in Michigan until Tuesday night, and I drove straight from the airport to B-Side to pick this up. I needed to have it for a lot of reasons, but most importantly because I was going to be driving through the Twin Cities Wednesday and I wanted Stay Positive to be my soundtrack to the trip.
Favorite tracks: I am in complete agreement with you on “Constructive Summer” and “Sequestered in Memphis” but after a few listens I started to really enjoy “One for the Cutters” too. I don’t dislike any songs and I love the last four tracks before the bonus tracks. “Ask Her For Some Adderal” is great, of course, but the other two are strong as well. I’m certainly excited about seeing them again in Madison. Their Stage Door show was exceptional, and I’m sure that people at the Majestic won’t be throwing shit at the band like they were at Turner Hall.