The Hold Steady - Stay Positive Review
Posted by James Palm on 07.18.2008
The greatest rock band in the world decides to unleash another collection of drunken tales and rollicking riffs, their fourth LP in five years. Showing no signs of slowing down, the Hold Steady once again prove that they can do no wrong.
Alcohol. We all know it, and we all love it. Except for the straight edgers. Regardless, it is a large component of modern society, in particular rock and roll. The Grateful Dead are often remembered more for their substance abuse than their back catalogue. A band possibly on the way to taking that crown are the Hold Steady. Frontman Craig Finn and bassist Galen Ploivka first cut their rock teeth with art-punk heroes Lifter Puller, swinging stories about boozy nights and geekish fascinations. That was the 90’s, but since 2003 their new outfit have blossomed into one of the best rock bands in the United States. Their previous album, Boys and Girls in America, was a beer-stained voyage across the country; with enough free time, you could call it a concept album. The stories were relatable and the music was immensely enjoyable rock that resonated with the hearts of anyone who loved to party. Aside from minor moments, the tone of the album was upbeat, and so the title of their fourth album naturally feels like a progression of the theme. That is, until, you actually listen to Stay Positive.
The primary reason for the Hold Steady’s admiration amongst fans is Finn’s storytelling. Everyone heard a piece of themselves somewhere in ...America. However, halfway through ...Positive, you may find yourself hoping that you don’t hear a story you can identify with. Something appears to have happened to Finn between albums, or at least to his fictional protagonists. Those massive nights and drunken fights are things of the past; Finn blatantly spills this out at the finish of “Joke About Jamaica”, in between cheeky Zeppelin references. The tone of the storytelling feels more adult, as do the circumstances our characters find themselves in. “One For The Cutters” is a deeply unsettling story of a girl falling in with the wrong crowd, and possibly paying the ultimate price. Fictional or not, the song is a powerful account of a horrible situation made almost romantic by Finn’s way with words and captivating by Franz Nicolay’s efforts on the harpsichord.
The theme of maturity develops over the album, from the extreme hangover feeling of "Constructive Summer" to the tenacious title track. On "...Summer", Finn muses about the direction of his/some guy's life, getting very literal in regards to the title; "Raise a toast to saint Joe Strummer/I think he might have been our only decent teacher/Getting older only makes it harder to remember/We are our only saviors/We're gonna build something this summer". Finn then pours his soul into "Stay Positive", lamenting his band's half-life and the realization that fun can only last so long - "There's gonna come a time/Where the true scene leaders/Will forget where they differ/And get big picture/'Cause the kids at the shows/They'll have kids of their own/And the sing-along songs will be our scriptures".
While now might seem like the time to assume that this album is depressing, there is still the matter of the music itself. The rollicking and anthemic harmonies are restrained, but the Hold Steady can still show everyone else a good time. Songs like "Sequestered In Memphis" take their Springsteen sensibilities and inject them with their own Midwest style - Nicolay's varied organ work elevates this track and others. Tad Kubler’s riffs and Finn’s gruff yet relaxed vocals have always reminded me of Thin Lizzy; the regularly constant yet simple strumming in particular on show for “Yeah Sapphire”. This track hits all the right notes, combining the Hold Steady of past, present and future. Finn romances a religious girl, admitting his sinful ways to a smashing soundtrack of house band majesty. Straight away, the band continues to hark back to their Separation Sundays on “Both Crosses”, another heavy religious tale.
Another characteristic of the Hold Steady is the overall strength of their albums. They appear to be afraid of filler, and therefore every track is killer. Not to say this album is perfect, only to say that no track deserves to be skipped. The band does not repeat themselves over eleven songs, which is a frustratingly rare trait amongst today’s music industry. From the opener right through to album closer “Slapped Actress”, the band always has more. Think that last story was a classic? Wait till you hear the next one. Think Nicolay couldn’t surprise you again? He decides to go intergalactic on “Navy Sheets”. Even midway through a hymn-like “Lord, I’m Discouraged”, as Finn slips into prayer – “ Excuses and half-truths and fortified wine/I know it's unlikely she'll ever be mine/So I mostly just pray she don't die” - Kubler finds time to bust out a solo intended to reach the heavens.
At times Stay Positive teases hitting astronomical heights, and the band did have a Pink Floyd-like follow-up assignment, given the incredible esteem that ...America is held in. However the Hold Steady seem to have a fondness for ...Sunday, and the best moments on this new album recall the finest from that marvelous record. “Magazines” is an instant classic tucked away towards the finale, featuring a gruff duet with Lucero's Ben Nichols. For all I’ve said about the tone of the album, why Finn has turned slightly sullen is anyone’s guess, as releasing four fantastic albums in five years is unheard of by any other band this century. You don’t have to be drunk to enjoy this album, but when you do get drunk, you’ll most certainly be raving about it.
The Hit - Stay Positive The Encore - Yeah Sapphire The Wah? - The cover. That's it.
The 411: If anyone was unsure about the Hold Steady, this album should be the final swaying piece of evidence. No one alive is as consistently brilliant as these modern legends of rock. Picking a favorite song is typically difficult, as Finn has again woven a rich tapestry of familiar stories and emotions. But the band is not all Finn; much like the E-Street Band, everyone more than carries their own. Forget about genres and disregard trends; the Hold Steady can be your life.
