Stay Positive
The Hold Steady
Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download music.
| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
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Constructive Summer | The Hold Steady | 2:55 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Sequestered In Memphis | The Hold Steady | 3:32 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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One for the Cutters | The Hold Steady | 4:41 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Navy Sheets | The Hold Steady | 3:22 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Lord, I'm Discouraged | The Hold Steady | 5:07 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Yeah Sapphire | The Hold Steady | 3:36 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Both Crosses | The Hold Steady | 4:34 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Stay Positive | The Hold Steady | 2:58 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Magazines | The Hold Steady | 3:08 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Joke About Jamaica | The Hold Steady | 4:35 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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11 |
Slapped Actress | The Hold Steady | 5:17 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 11 Songs |
iTunes Review
The Hold Steady aren’t going soft on their fourth album, 2008’s Stay Positive, but they are becoming more musical. Where in the past the band was often satisfied slamming down power chords and tough riffage while “singer” Craig Finn ranted his booze-soaked teen anthems, they now expect Finn to sing a memorable melody while keyboardist Franz Nicolay and guitarist Tad Kubler layer the attack. “Constructive Summer” and the album’s first single “Sequestered in Memphis,” with its unexpected saxophone, make a formidable one-two punch, charged with energy and a barrage of sound that threatens to steamroll right over Finn. The title track lifts the melody from Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” (consciously?) to sell its power of positive thinking message. “Lord, I’m Discouraged” is the band’s first successful power ballad, played as if the wheels were coming off before they even started. The notes fall into place while Finn stumbles down the staircase and Kubler sends out a classic late-‘80s hair-metal styled guitar solo. By “Slapped Actress,” the album’s catchy closer, the band have subtly redefined their sound as AOR for the new millennium.
Customer Reviews
The Hold Steady will save your rock and roll soul.
In an age of canned beats, Pro-Tooled, synthetic vocals, and scores of image-conscious post-teens pawning themselves off as rock bands, something as simple as a five guys who make honest, anthemic, and- dare I say- joyful music simply because they love it might seem out of step with the times. Thank God nobody told The Hold Steady. For fans of rock and roll that affirms even as it questions, of the almighty Guitar Riff, of "whoa-oh-oh" choruses, of songs sad and funny and in no small way inspiring- this is the album you've been waiting for in 2008.
Winner
While not as immediate as Boys and Girls (aside from the first 2 tracks), this album is a grower ...and a stayer. The lyrics are as strong as ever, with a few new themes thrown in amidst the scene commentary and drug references. The riffs are as rocking as ever too. I heard Craig took some singing lessons before this record,....that's not entirely evident here, but I dig what he does anyway. Ben Nichols of Lucero provides some great throat shredding background vocals on a few songs. All in all, this is a great album I'll be blasting all summer.
A step forward, still classic Hold Steady
It's hard to believe how good these guys are and continue to be, album after album. Catchy rock anthems, character-driven, narrrative-based lyrics, and melodies that just soar. The Hold Steady truly are a unique musical force, and stand in a category all their own. "Stay Positive" is filled with songs that show musical growth ("One for the Cutters") while never coming close to losing their signature sound. "Slapped Actress," "Magazine." "Sequestered in Memphis"...you simply can't go wrong. And as far as lyrics, it's hard to top Craig Finn for soul-searching insight and reflections, as well as laugh-out-loud insights and observations (the lines "sometimes actresses get slapped" and "If a townie falls in the forest, will anyone hear it?" come to mind) Amazing album.
Biography
Formed: 2000 in Brooklyn, NY
Genre: Alternative
Years Active: '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By The Hold Steady
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
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1 |
Sequestered In Memphis | Stay Positive | 3:32 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Your Little Hoodrat Friend | Separation Sunday | 3:54 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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3 |
Stuck Between Stations | Boys and Girls In America | 4:10 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Chips Ahoy | Boys and Girls In America | 3:09 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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5 |
The Swish | Almost Killed Me | 4:08 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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6 |
Killer Parties | Almost Killed Me | 5:48 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Most People Are DJs | Almost Killed Me | 5:50 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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8 |
Constructive Summer | Stay Positive | 2:55 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
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Knuckles | Almost Killed Me | 3:45 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
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Certain Songs | Almost Killed Me | 3:54 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Rock, Music, Alternative, American Trad Rock, Indie Rock
- Released: Jun 17, 2008
- ℗ 2008 Vagrant Records
