Hold Steady - "Stay Positive"
Posted by: Ron Brinsdon on 17 July 2008
Arrived yesterday, played twice.
First impressions - a much more "even" collection than any of first three albums, no absolute stand-out killer tracks but no slow filler either. I know opinion is very divided on the HS, a real love or hate band; I have always been a lover and I really hoped that this one would put them into the major league but I fear it is not strong enough. It may be a "grower" though.
For those who want to sample the HS, I would say check your usual supplier and go for the first album which I have seen for as little as £2.99 online.
As said previously, only played twice (once in the car) and it will not be used for any system demo purposes. The first play (in the house) sounded very bright and lacking in lower-mid detail, so much so that I checked if we had had a power cut during the day and the kit had gone cold. Maybe it was produced and mastered for the radio?
Like many other bands of a similar type, better live than recorded.
Have a good one,
Ron
Posted on: 18 July 2008 by ewemon
Got a couple of their albums and some of the tracks are real standouts but others just fillers IMHO.
Posted on: 18 July 2008 by Bruce Woodhouse
Been on my iPod and in my car all week (my system is being repaired). First impressions were good but now I'm less sure. I think I could make one pretty good album out of the best of this and 'Boys and Girls In America' but both are patchy as a whole.
I do like the first track on the new album though, a real cracker.
Bruce
Posted on: 18 July 2008 by JamieWednesday
I like them and have their previous albums. Just played this for the first time and the music is good again IMO. SQ is lacking again in the now traditional loudness/compression stakes but then I've just previously been listening to a Warners re-issue of ZZ Top which is top notch...
Posted on: 18 July 2008 by gordon cavanaugh
i thought separation sunday was one of the better albums to come along in a long time. i thought of it as the album jim carroll wishes he wrote. boys & girls was a bit spotty for me, some great songs, but i cringe every time i hear chips ahoy. i'm sure i'll check out SP at some point.
Posted on: 18 July 2008 by worm
Not heard Stay Positive yet (waiting for the price to come down a bit) but I have grown into a big Hold Steady fan.
Like Gordon, for me their high point to date has been Separation Sunday.
However, unlike most other people here I don't listen to their albums and hear fillers - just great music.
Can't wait to hear them live at the 'right' venue.
Cheers
worm
Posted on: 23 July 2008 by worm
quote:
Originally posted by worm:
Not heard Stay Positive yet (waiting for the price to come down a bit) but I have grown into a big Hold Steady fan.
Like Gordon, for me their high point to date has been Separation Sunday.
However, unlike most other people here I don't listen to their albums and hear fillers - just great music.
Can't wait to hear them live at the 'right' venue.
Cheers
worm
Didn't have to wait long, UK tour announced:
Tour DatesDecent (small) venues as well - already got my tickets for Bristol.
Cheers
worm
Posted on: 01 August 2008 by worm
Finally received and listened to my copy of SP.
For me the song writing is as strong as ever, but...
...compared to the previous HS albums how far back is the guitar in the mix !!!!
Maybe this mix will grow on me, but in the meantime I am just longing for those riffs to dominate the sound.
Sure it will all come right live.
Cheers
worm
Posted on: 06 August 2008 by woodface
They're a bar band who got lucky, sorry but they are quite poor. The singer sounds like the sort of drunk you would cross the street to avoid.
Posted on: 07 August 2008 by worm
quote:
Originally posted by woodface:
They're a bar band who got lucky, sorry but they are quite poor. The singer sounds like the sort of drunk you would cross the street to avoid.
We obviously mix in different circles - most of the time I am the drunk people cross the street to avoid.
Cheers
worm
PS 'bar band' to me is a compliment, my favorite bands are bar bands Marah / DBT / Lucero / Ryan Adams etc. etc
Posted on: 08 August 2008 by Ron Brinsdon
Most bands or artists start off as "bar bands" or "youth club bands" or even "school bands" and some get luckier than others in terms of being recognised and getting a deal. Lyrically, the HS are excellent and if you have been there from the start it is interesting to follow the characters and stories, reminds me in a way of early Springsteen who was not a bad "bar" performer himself before the big time.
Musically they are well skilled and practised with some sharp, if minimal, guitar fills. If they do sound less than 100% tight at times, I would suggest it was down to their overall commitment to their groove rather than being poor. A sort of modern day Faces, another excellent "bar" band who were either terrible or the best band on the planet depending largely on audience feedback.
Vocally, well there are better and there are worse. I have tried to imagine the songs performed by others but they would not work. Tom Waits sounds like a drunk but I would cross the street to see him anytime - didn't he start in bars and seedy clubs too?
I also think "bar band" is a compliment. I wish I had the skill to have done it!
Worm, I will look out for you in the road tonight after leaving my local bar on the way home to play "Most People are DJ's" at maximum refreshment volume.
Have a good one,
Ron
